Looking out his window on a weekday morning, Nachman of Bratzlav noticed a disciple of his, Chaikel by name, rushing along the street. Rebbe Nachman opened the window, called out to Chaikel, and invited him to come inside. Chaikel entered the home; and Rebbe Nachman said to him, “Chaikel, have you seen the sky this morning?” “Yes, Rebbe.” “Tell me, please, Chaikel, what did you see in the street?” “I saw people, carts, and merchandise. I saw merchants, peasants, men and women – all coming and going, selling and buying.”
“Chaikel, Chaikel,” said Rebbe Nachman of Bratzlav, “in 50 years, in 100 years, on that very street there will be a market. Other vehicles will then bring merchants, merchandise, and customers to the street. But I won’t be here then and neither will you. So I ask you, Chaikel, what’s the good of your rushing if you don’t even have time to look at the sky?”
You, and I too, are usually so busy rushing that we often don’t have time – really, we don’t make time – to look at the sky in order to see the beauty and wonder of nature. Too often you and I are so involved in making a living, in taking care of the children and preparing meals, in relaxing before the television screen that we don’t have time – again, usually in reality, we don’t make time – to read at least a few pages of a quality book or article; to telephone a parent or ill friend; to eat a leisurely meal; to truly see our marriage partner and children; to talk with them, to genuinely listen to them, to compassionately understand them; to utter words of prayers that express gratitude and seek guidance; to reflect for a few minutes on what we are doing with our life and how we should be living.
