Ads for every new gadget a man “must have” fill my e-mail as Father’s Day approaches. Last month it was, of course, everything a mother might want. Brides and grads will come next. And just in case e-mail, commercials, and the amazing algorithms that allow “just the right ads” to pop up on my Facebook sidebar and Amazon front page are not enough, I can watch 24 hours of nonstop infomercials on channels such as HSN and QVC, all of which wqill remind me just what I or someone I love need to ensure a perfect life.
The “gimmies” are not just a part of the title of a Berenstein Bear’s children’s book, excessive consumerism can easily permeate every age and stage of life. We want what we don’t have; especially if someone else has it or we once had it. Life will, we believe, be perfect if only we could have this next best thing.
Surprisingly, this is not a new phenomenon. This week in Torah find Moses once again facing an angry crowd. Although the amazing daily gift of manna was enough to sustain every Israelite, the people have grown tired of it. “If only we had meat to eat. We remember the fish that we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.” (Numbers 11:5).
In this moment of longing, gone were any memories of their enslavement; all the people cared about was having what they did not currently possess. B’midbar – in the midst of the wilderness – they did not feel settled. Just like many of us, when feeling discontented, they found it all too easy to see the world through “blue” colored glasses instead of rosy ones.
When we see all that is wrong instead of the beauty and gifts that surround us we get the “gimmies.” We look for quick fixes and the next best thing. Our ancestors clearly reacted in much the same way.
Our ancestors got their desired meat, ate it with gusto, and quickly faced disastrous consequences. Today we see some who over-shopped and overspent bankrupt and homeless. Instead of taking the time to find and celebrate the blessings around them, many others leave or avoid deep relationships, constantly seeking new thrills and excitements.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “happiness” as a state of well-being and contentment. It is not far off from the definition of shalam – wholeness, contentment and completeness. Sometimes getting to this state is as easy as looking out a different window. Other times it might some serious effort to clean up the dust, change a perspective, or work at a problem. Yet, when we do, we can see the beauty and many gifts that are already a part of our lives.
May we celebrate these each day, recognizing the contentment and shalam that comes from appreciating the life we have and the gifts that are such blessings. Choose to be happy!
Prior to her position with the Grinspoon Foundation, Iris served as a synagogue educator in Syracuse NY, the Central New York PJ Library Program Coordinator and as a national consultant for PJ Library.
Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education, a master’s degree in Special Education and Reading, and Advanced Certification in School Leadership and Administration. Her experience as a secular educator and educational leader in congregational and community settings spans over 20 years. She is also a lay leader in Jewish organizations on the local and national levels. Iris served as the President of CAJE – the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, which was the largest member organization for Jewish educators in the country.
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