In life we have moments that inspire us. Flickers of light. An epiphany, lightbulb idea, relationship, job, etc. that is a shining light that blinds us and triggers us to do more. It becomes our north star, our passion, and it consumes us.
When this happens, the realist may tell us that we need to be practical, there is no such thing as a perfect... just get real and live a normal life. Stop getting so excited.
Some may push off the realist and continue to live in their ‘la la land’. Often, everything comes crashing down.
Others, dare I say most, hide the light. They get back to real life and every now and then look back at those passionate moments. Remember when you thought you could change the world? Was such a nice idea... Remember when we were madly in love? Remember when I started at this company and thought that it would be my dream job?
Can I live with the blinding light and still see? If not, do I need to live in darkness? Is my life limited to either passion or realism?
The Torah says that on the first day of creation G-d created light. The following verse tells us that G-d saw that the light was good and G-d separated between the light and the darkness.
G-d is saying that the light is good however, you can't have the blinding light at the same time as seeing. If you are willing to manage the paradox, and handle the tension, they can both shine, just not simultaneously. If we separate the two and name them, we can begin to manage them. Start with the light then add a dose of realism. As soon as we are so pragmatic that the passion disappears, it is time to go back to the light and fill up with passion. If we are too blinded that we cannot do any action, add a dose of realism, breaking down that blinding light/passion into a dose of practical action.
Add light this Shabbos with candles,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman