Cause and effect

I used to think the trees created wind. After all, you can't see the wind, but you see the trees moving with the breeze. Then I grew up and was set right.

Cause and effect. Do I cause my actions, or do my actions cause me to be the person I am?

It is true that a person is more likely to act according to his surroundings. If a person is in a room full of people who are quiet, naturally he will stay quiet. If the room full of people is loud and partying, well he might still be quiet.

There is a concept, fake it till you make it. Smile, and you will become a happy person. Force yourself to learn, and you will become a learner. Do an action over and over again until the action becomes you.

The same with the way you dress. Dress aidel, and you will become an aidel person. And the opposite is also true.

A strong person causes his actions, but a weak person lets his actions sway and define him. So which person are you?

Tonight is Gimel Tamuz. I can't help but remember where I was a year ago. In an airport in Detroit, on standby, hoping I would get on the plane that would take me to California. I davened mincha, I called my mother crying, and when I calmed down I realized it was Gimel Tamuz and I was stuck in an airport.

No, this is not some story that ends with how I did mivtzoyim and told everyone about Gimel Tamuz and got Jews to do mitzvos. That's not how every story ends. Sometimes, self reflection is enough. Where am I? Yes, I know I am here, but where am I in life? Where am I headed?

Tomorrow is my brother's bar mitzvah and I will count that as my farbrengin. Wherever you are, whatever stage you are in life, take a moment for self reflection and ask yourself, where am I? Do I let my actions define me, or am I strong enough to make my actions reflect the person I want to be?

Lechaim