Resolutions. Improving ourselves. Making Goals. This is the time of year we generally consider them. It’s why I published my blog piece last Friday (1 January 2016) -because most of us actually consider what should be among our plans for the year now.
Because I’ve written many blogs about resolutions, this won’t be another one. (Here are some previous related posts: 29 September 2010 2 April 2012 29 Sept 2014 ) No, instead I’ll talk about why we make these resolutions- and why we need to succeed.
My religious traditions include a reading from the Tora (the first five books of the bible) and a reading from the prophets and similar writings every single week. And, this past week, the Tora reading was the first few chapters of the second book. (We call it Shmot, you call it Exodus.) And, there is a special expression used in this chapter that is very revealing.
When Moshe (Moses) sees the burning bush and has his first direct discourse with Hashem (the Supreme Being), Moshe seeks out some answers with which he can discuss the coming events with the Children of Israel. In particular, he needs to know what moniker Hashem wants Moshe to use as proof that these conversations actually occurred.
Hashem notifies Moshe to use “Eheye Asher Eheye” as its name. Without knowing Hebrew, it is difficult to know that the two repeated words are of the same root as the ineffable name of Hashem, a cognate of the verb “to be”. (Jehova is the Greek/English form of using the letters of Hashem’s name with the vowelization that we employ for one of the substitute terms.)
Moreover, this term means something completely different than what is the conventional English translation, which is ‘I am what I am’. Because the Hebrew stipulates that Hashem said: “I will be what I will be.”.
Hashem is always adapting to be what the people need, when the people need it. Because our needs change with time. And, that is a consideration for us as we develop (and, hopefully, follow through on our resolutions).
We- “Man”- are made in Hashem’s image. And, since Hashem truly has no form, that means we have been conceived to approach the concept of the what and how of Hashem. We are conceived to be what we need to be. We are conceived to improve ourselves, adapt ourselves, to be what we need to be- a sense of continual improvement and adaptation.
It’s also matches the definition of integrity and honesty developed by Stephen Covey (of the Seven Habits fame). He reminds us that honesty is having our words conform to reality. But, integrity means we ensure that reality conforms to our words. We. those who operate with integrity, make the changes necessary in what and how we do things so that reality is but a repetition of what we say and for what we stand. As opposed to how so many politicians (and, unfortunately, business leaders) operate- by picking their words so carefully that their statements can (barely) cover the truth of how things are.
That’s the concept behind resolutions and plans. We plan to do things differently tomorrow that we’ve done heretofore. And, is so doing, our lives and actions will be enriched by the changes. So, by emulating Hashem, becoming what we need to be, we are indeed following the rule to making this world a little better each and every day.
Here’s to the accomplishment of your resolutions.
I like this.
I had a discussion, once, with a man who teaches Torah – we talked about the Garden of Eden story, and for once no one looked at me like I was crazy for believing we were always meant to leave it, that it’s a “coming of age” story, much like any other. That free will and growing up mean we learn to make choices and we learn that the choices have consequences and G-d won’t always step in to “save us” from ourselves. That doesn’t mean we’re abandoned or “punished” – we were always meant to grow up, and to grow.
I’ve also always felt that our attempts to “define” G-d were silly – and “I will be what I will be” fits with that belief. WE don’t get to define G-d, and I suspect the minute we think we’re close, G-d can change or show us a new aspect that sets us on our ear and makes us think again. OUR job is to strive to be better – to grow – and be thankful. (Growing up Christian, the notion of us “praising G-d” seemed odd, since that word, “praise,” is the same we use when telling children and pets they’ve done well. Doesn’t that seem condescending? Who are WE to “praise” G-d? A “thank you,” now and then, wouldn’t come amiss. A NOTICING that there’s something to be thankful FOR – that’s golden. And isn’t that what the concept of “mindfulness” is all about?)
I’m with you, Holly! I love the last two sentences of your comment immensely!
The source of resolutions? | https://t.co/6edPEUdhMH (via @Adjuvancy) #Biblical