We are talking here, after the fact, since no one is guaranteed that if they make themselves sick, or if they choose to go through a hurricane, they will survive.
The Bible tells us, there are two different ways a person accomplishes his mission in our lifetime. Although, everyone experiences both conducts, in some people, one method is more prominent, and in others, the modes operandi is the other routine.
There is the manner of the righteous and the way of the repentant. In due course, even the righteous experiences repentance.
A righteous person is someone who for the most part, is always doing the right thing. He senses G-dliness in his life and has this constant desire and love to stay attached to G-d, through the performance of His commandments. His general direction in life is always looking ahead and forward. It’s the magnetism and attraction to good that motivates him all the time.
A person will always run away with more vigor and energy from death, than he will running towards things that are positive and strengthening for life. No one wants pain in life, and people are influenced more by what they are afraid of, than what they do want – happiness and pleasure.
The danger and peril of what’s bad and dangerous, plays more of a significant influence in most people, than the benefits of what is good. The repulsion from bad is always stronger, than the attraction to good. That’s why salespeople are more successful scaring you if you don’t get their product, than convincing you on the merit of what is good.
There is a great virtue and advantage to a person who is always righteous, and that is, that his sights are always on G-dliness and what’s good. He will reach much further ahead, because he has set his goals much higher than just running away. However, the one who feels a deep thirst for water because his throat is parched has a much greater intensity and passion in his desire, than someone who just wants to enjoy water.
As we approach the high holidays when the Bible tells us G-d judges the world, it is a very special time for introspection. A person who realizes how much we need G-d for our every day, and every moment survival, will understand and appreciate the need to run away from many of his current habits and routines. His desire for good should intensify during this time of the year.
The prophets tell us, “G-d desires the heart.” The moment a person makes a firm resolution to turn away from the past, he has already made his 180 degree turn, and his sights are already set on the light that is before him. “G-d judges a person at this moment”, and at this moment once a person has made the turn, he is now going in the proper direction. That is why it is so important the way we behave during the ten days of repentance, and when the process of, “who will live and who will….who in fire and who in water…and Repentance, Prayer and Charity will avert the evil decree.”
Warmest wishes for a Happy and Sweet New Year to everyone.