Life Olympics

 Life Olympics

While everyone is focusing on the Olympics it might be a good time to think about how we play the game -- our daily game of life.  We often hear that how we play the game is much more important than winning and that’s why often the trip is much more important than the destination.

Simple question:  how are you living your life?

As we drive around Naples paying our usual visits and completing some errands, it’s amazing to see how determined everyone is to get places in a hurry, and often at the risk of anyone’s safety. How do you set out to reach your goals, and at what price?  Are you so focused on the destination, that you miss the beauty of learning and discovery along the way? If trees are obscuring your view of the forest, maybe it’s time to reevaluate. 

I watched two children who had been building an elaborate sand castle by the sea. The castle had gates and towers and moats. What a huge and utterly neat creation! But, just when the children had nearly finished their project, a wave came and washed away all their work.

I expected the children to burst into tears, devastated by what had happened to their beautiful castle. But they surprised me. Instead of crying in protest, they ran along the shoreline, laughing and holding hands, and sat down to build another sand castle.

This is the story of life.

All things in our lives, all the complicated structures we spend so much time and energy building, are built on sand. Our present recession has created  a  challenge but the most resilient have met it head-on.

 Sooner or later, the waves will come along and try to knock down what we have worked so hard to build up. When this happens, only the person who has somebody’s hand to hold will be able to laugh and endure.

 Throughout the rough and tough times,  our relationships with people who are not 'fair-weather friends'  will last.

Do you have real relationships? Real friends? Someone whose hand you can hold? Someone who is there for you when you fall?

Sometimes we can learn a lot from children who live so very much 'in the moment'. Occasionally we have to set aside our worries and concerns about that 'rainy day' that could occur in the future, and invest some quality time in the present.

As we come closer to our Tenth Anniversary celebration, it is a time of reflection. Without the strong Chabad Naples family bonds and relationships we have built over the years, our foundation would have been as weak as that of the sand castle. Our real building and structure is what we have created among us, the partners & friends of Naples Chabad -- but that is not what it's all about. We have always had the deep bonds of friendship to support us and carry us over the rough times on a day-to-day basis. We have tried in turn, to be here for you, our family, and respond in the same way. Our real solid building and structure, is what we have created among us, the friends & partners of Naples Chabad.

Would it surprise you to know that we have no absolute destination in mind?  That's right:  Chabad is a journey without end, a lifelong challenge of bringing learning, love and friendship to the community. Join us for the ride.

Harry Chapin’s song, 'The Cat's in the Cradle', never fails to move me when I hear it. It speaks about a child being born to a father who is too busy to give him what he needs and craves most – himself. The lyrics say, “But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay. He learned to walk while I was away. And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew, He'd say, 'I'm gonna be like you, Dad. You know I'm gonna be like you."'

And the refrain, "When you coming home, Dad?"

"I don't know when, But we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then." 

But often the “then” never comes.

In your daily life, take the time to enjoy the real important things -- enjoy the game and forget about the score. Set aside some time to come out and celebrate with us on February 24th -- your presence would mean a lot to me and Ettie.