Having It All

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Judaism has two terms for tranquility -
"shalvah" and "menuchah." While they might
appear to be similar, they really contradict
each other.

Shalvah refers to a situation in which a person
is not missing anything in life. He has
everything he wants and therefore has no
worries. He has a nice house with all the
furnishings he can ask for. He has a large amount
of cash handy to purchase whatever he wants. His
business is going well, and all of his property
and possessions are entirely safe. He has no
enemies who would want to cause him harm. There
is peace in his world. He is entirely healthy.
He is respected and people accept his opinion.
He has no competitors who are striving to
diminish is stature. He has no obligations to
others. He is successful at whatever he does.
This is shalvah.

And it's a negative trait.

Why? Because if you feel that everything must be
perfect, you are in danger that if the details
of your life are not to your liking, you will
suffer. The many difficulties that arise in your
life will prevent you from experiencing pleasure
and peace of mind.

Menuchah, on the other hand, is a virtue. It is
a state in which a person lives with peace of
mind since he does not need anything! Not
because he has all he would wish for, but
because his attitude is one of accepting his
present situation. He will be aware that all
benefits and damages in life are dependent on
the will of the Almighty. He has trust that
whatever is decreed for him is what will occur.
If he has what he would like, that is good; and
if he is not able to get it, that, too, is for
the good. He does not feel anxiety about
possible misfortunes. He knows that "every
bullet has its special address," and he wants
only that which the Almighty chooses for him. If
you attain the trait of menuchah, you will feel
inner peace regardless of your financial
situation and whether or not you have the
approval of others.

The person who has reached this level of not
needing all that he would wish for is saved from
all kinds of frustration. People will not have
anything to criticize him for. Even if someone
does wrongly accuse him of anything, he does not
take it to heart. He knows that he is being
accused in error, and is able to feel an inner
joy. This level is called menuchah.

Seek to live a life of menuchah.

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