"Happiness is not made by what we own. It is what we share."
Jonathan Sacks stands in the ancient tradition of Hebrew wisdom, and along with other Jewish sages such as A J Heschel, Chaim Potok and Elie Wiesel, they have taught me many lessons in wise living.
A wise friend gave me a copy of Celebrating Life, a collection of Jonathan Sacks' columns in The Times. In it he tells of his encounter with the famous Lubavitcher Rebbe. In the waiting room another told him this story.
Someone had written to the Rebbe in a state of deep depression: "I would like the Rebbe's help. I wake up each day sad and apprehensive. I can't concentrate. I find it hard to pray. I keep the commandments but I find no spiritual satisfaction. I go the synagogue but I feel alone. I begin to wonder what life is about. I need help."
The Rebbe wrote a brilliant reply without using a single word. He circled the first word of every sentence in red, and sent the letter back. The circled "I" symbolises the ego as the subject of every sentence - now that is a depressing thought.
I've already made my offering to God of what I'm giving up for Lent. And made my promise of what I'm taking up. But it may well be that what most needs giving up is the first person pronoun as the first word of every blessed sentence!
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