While driving on the Hollywood Freeway, I noticed a Greyhound bus with the destination “Paradise” boldly shown across the front. How wonderful it sounded. I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could settle back on a bus destined for Paradise”? Then I wondered, “What would this place be like and would it be Paradise for everyone?” I thought to myself that no matter where we are, we create our own heaven or hell. Each of us defines our own Paradise. Some spend a lifetime in search of happiness and may even convince themselves that there is no Paradise on Earth, except of our own making. We drive ourselves and determine what it will be like when we get there.
It seldom occurs to us that Paradise is within us and of our own making. There is no Greyhound bus to Paradise; and even if there were, it’s more than likely that when we got there we’d be disappointed and want to go elsewhere. Nothing is ever enough until we are enough. We cannot take buses, trains or airplanes to Paradise because we take ourselves with us; and if we’re not good traveling companions, no matter how wonderful, exotic or exciting the place may be, it will only reflect what we believe. When the glamour of the newness fades, we’ll still be faced with who and what we are. There’s really no place to go, is there? Where we are is what there is.
With warmth and blessings,
Rabbi Sally
