I want smooth, perfect sailing. But I don’t think I am riding a sailboat, it’s more like a submarine. Lurching under the waters, just barely hidden from the naked eye. A powerful engine steering and it needs a whole lot of fuel. Yes, I am on a submarine.
But the view from down here is so much more beautiful.
If only I could just focus totally on that, this beautiful world that exists under the sea. Like the hidden deeper essence that the sea covers, so too is the strength inside of me. Strong, powerful and oh so beautiful, but not smooth sailing, for a sailboat just touches the tip of the water and a submarine is totally submerged beneath the waters.
The water, I think that’s the divine energy that conceals these hidden deeper levels of life. Yes, I am on a submarine beneath the waters. I just need the fuel - I need the energy to keep moving forward. It's not smooth sailing, it requires effort, but ultimately it is worth it. It's another level of greatness. The hidden world.
The Friediker Rebbe said: By Chasidim, The love of Hashem, The love of Torah, And the love of Yisroel must be intertwined together like a havdalah candle.
Over the past three years (in High-School), I was taught how to love and appreciate each of these three.
I have learnt of Hashem’s greatness and yet he loves me and cares about every moment of my life. With this knowledge, my love for Hashem grew tremendously.
Throughout my years of Torah study, I was able to learn more each day. I discovered the sweetness of Torah and learning. A feeling of warmth and happiness surrounds me when I can comprehend something new. This is a feeling of love.
Amongst my classmates, I saw what it means to have true Ahavas Yisroel. Not only are they my classmates, they are my friends. Every girl is willing to go out of her way to help another. I feel a strong connection and a sense of belonging with them.
Similar to the wicks inside the havdala candle, all this love is intertwined within me. Just as the havdala candle is lit at the end of shabbos, and is the fire that lights up the week, I am at the end of this stage in life and I feel I am ready to ignite the flame so I can begin lighting up the world.
(my high-school graduation speech - written June 2003)
There is B”H a growing trend in shlichus over the past 15 years. Shluchim have KA”H large growing communities and families and need help. Being that it is sometimes financially difficult to hire a new shliach, many shluchim hire girl shluchois to help them. There are B”H post highschool and seminary girls in secretarial,preschool, homeschool oryouth program leadership positions doing amazing work all across the planet. Unfortunately, I have recognized that sometimes there are different obstacles that the shluchim and the girls working for them have in creating a united effort in their shlichus. In order to overcome these obstacles I have put together some of my ideas on how we can improve our individual situations.
Some key points that I think girls should know about shlichus.
Although you are getting paid shlichus is more than just a job, shlichus means a Mission. We have a goal to accomplish and it isn’t how much money we can make. Our goal is to prepare the world for Moshiach by spreading the wellsprings of Torah and Chassidus.
It WON’T always be easy, this isn’t a vacation. It will take a lot of effort and flexibility on your part. Be ready for this.
Make sure that you take care of yourself spritiually. Even if it means getting up extra early to daven properly DO NOT start your day without it! It will help you get through the day. Don’t forget to say your Chitas no matter how tired you are or late it gets. This will give you the koach you need to do your shlichus properly. Make a chavrusa time with a friend and keep to it.
Make sure that you take care of yourself physically. Keep a healthy diet, don’t skip a meal just because you don’t have time. Especially remember to eat breakfast this will give you energy to face the day ahead of you.
Communicate well with the shluchim. Not everything will be told to you a month in advance or even a week in advance, make sure to keep tabs with the shluchim about what events are coming up and what needs to be done, before you need to do it.
Ask questions, if you aren’t sure how to do something don’t hesitate to ask for assistance or more specific directions. You will be much more willing and able to work if you know what exactly you need to do.
When you are asked if you want to do something and you really think you can’t or would rather not, be honest with the shluchim. Tell them no if that’s what you really think. Don’t agree to do something that you don’t want do.
Keep smiling, it’s contagious and relieves a lot of tension and stress that could build up. Having a positive outlook on every situation will make things go much more smooth. Everything is Hashgacha Protis. Tracht gut vet zain gut, if you think good it will be good.
Give yourself time to relax unwind and sharpen the saw, don’t overwork yourself until you are beaten to a pulp. Make sure to get enough sleep. Take time to do something special every once in a while and enjoy yourself. Burnout is never a good thing on shlichus.
Remember to thank the shluchim for all they do for you. Whether it is food, assistance, care or anything else they do, show your appreciation. Say thank you often, buy an occasional birthday or thank you gift and in general have an appreciative attitude for the things they do.
Some points for the Shluchim who bring out girls to help them
The girls who are coming are coming to assist in shlichus work. Aside from emergency situations (where any shlucha would pitch in for another) they should not be expected to baby-sit on a steady basis. Of course, the girls could be expected to assist in clean up after a peula together with you, but not much more than that.
It is important to be upfront with them, tell them how your system works and what you expect of them. Sign a contract stating the job description and financial arrangement. Try to minimize any misunderstandings from the beginning.
Be fair, don’t ask them to do what you wouldn’t want to do yourself.
Remember they are fairly young and inexperienced, don’t hold it against them, they are willing to learn. Positive encouragement and praise should be used frequently. Criticism is best when it is given in a relaxed time and relaxed atmosphere. Devorim hayotzim min halev nichnasim el halev. Word that come from the heart enter the heart.
Appreciate Appreciate Appreciate! They are often far from home family friends and a large Jewish community. They need your support and appreciation for all they do. Show them you notice and appreciate the little things they do and they will probably do them again.
Be precise with expectations and directions. Let them know in advanced what you want them to do and how they should do it. If it doesn’t matter how it’s done, be sure to tell them that. This may take a lot of time in the beginning but it is well worth the effort.
Don’t overwhelm them with everything at once. Let them slowly take on more and more responsibilities as they get used to the main ones.
Look out for their physical and spiritual wellbeing. Although they are adults, they may get very caught up in doing shlichus and not know their physical limits, often it is the first job that these girls have. Spiritually, they will need time and space to learn, reinforce this. If possible give them a shiur once a week.
Don’t ask them to sign a contract for a year that does not allow for leaving to get engaged or marriage. Marriage is really the main goal for a girl at this age and a shidduch should not be pushed off for any reason.
Love them unconditionally for who they are and what they do. Remember nobody is perfect and it’s human to make mistakes. Don’t let errors get in the way of your shlichus and working relationship.
Try and implement these points and you will surely see a difference! Hatzlacha Rabbah in your shlichus, may we merit the coming of Moshiach bimhairah beyamainu!
Ashrainu as you'll see in my subtitle, is an acronym for ASeeker Halts, Reflects And Internalizes, Naturally Uplifts. Sometimes it’s necessary to halt from the daily grind of life. To reflect on choices, to internalize and learn from experiences. This creates an energy that motivates further accomplishments and achievements.
Ashrainu, We are all fortunate. If only we could consistently recognize this and use it to motivate us further. Ashrainu, my blog allows me to pause and reflect through my writing, reminding me, just how fortunate we are. These reflections, although personal, resonate within many who are dealing (as we all are) with the waves of life. I therefore, release my words, my lifeline, out to sea. Ashrainu, we have something to hold on to, we can ride the waves, overcoming the challenges, one at a time, until we reach solid ground.
