Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Planting Green Beans...

Remember those days back in school (maybe nursery) when your class had a class plant? Usually, it was some sort of bean. Within a day or two, the class went wild as they saw that first green growth just above the dirt.

Why was it that it was always beans that were grown?
I saw the answer last night in a Maamer from 5717

There are two ways to go about trying to grow in life. There are two approaches to Avodas Hashem. On both routes you'll be davening and learning. The difference is only whether you'll be a bean or an fruit.

To explain:

So often, we do Avoda looking for results. We want inspiration. We expect Giluim. We want to be able to put our head against the wall and mark in our weekly level of growth.

So often, we learn looking for results. We want a Sicho to Chazer. We expect to come out of today's learning with a new file in the hard drive. We want to be fill out a paper at the end of the week with that week's new material.

The Rebbe explains that when if we are looking for results we will get results. And we'll get them fast. But the results will be quite limited. Maybe you'll have a Sicho to chazer...but that's all you'll have. Maybe you'll get a dosage of inspiration. But a dosage and no more...

And that's because we never let go of ourselves. We got in the way of growth. We put self-imposed limits on the potential for infinite growth.

It's sounds ironic.

It's only when you truly lose yourself that you truly find yourself. Growth will be discovered when it's not about growth. Real results will occur when you're not looking for results.

Looking for Giluim will give you minor Giluim. Accepting bittul will allow you to score Etzem.

Planting a bean means you plant something that has a Metzious. It is already a food. And it grows. Almost instantly. But the growth is a B'erech to where you started off.

Planting a (fruit) seed means you plant something that is worthless. The must even rot before it gets anywhere. It will take weeks or months before you see anything. But you'll end up with a huge tree...beautiful fruits...and a growth that is B'Ain Aruch.

There are times in life that we need instant results. We are allowed to plant beans. But just allow yourself the occasional oppurtunity to embrace bitul and plant a fruit tree...

6 comments:

the sabra said...

3 things-
1, thanks for making this blog
2, be really careful to differentiate please, between your 'chochmas' and what the rebbe says. cuz im takin it all as the same, meanwhile.
3, no problem if i link here, is there?

Daily Derher said...

Thanks for the feedback.

#2 is a very valid point. "adapting" from Chassidus is a very find line indeed...

#3 - Please do link to the site...

Chaya said...

Wow! Your post was really incredible. You brought out a Maamer in such a clear, interesting way. Keep on posting, this is an incredible way to learn the message of Maamorim (especially some of us girls who barely get to do such real in-depth learning, anything past chelek alef sichos!).
I'm really looking forward to more posts about different Maamorim brought out this way.

Daily Derher said...

Chaya, thanks for feedback!

Bringing out Maamarim in simple ideas and real life experiences is the main goal of this blog.

(Although I also hope to write on Sichos and Stories...B'H there is plenty of this available in books and online)

the sabra said...

(derech agav, i've received notice that ppl wanted to comment but couldn't cuz of the 'only blogger' thing..stam if you care..)

Daily Derher said...

Thanks Sabra...I fixed that