If Only

There is an unidentified disease that is possibly genetic to humanity. The official name of the disease is "If Only." Perhaps this is causing a chuckle, and if so, that is good. Perhaps your brow is furrowed and you are wondering, what is this person writing about? And surely some of you are nodding your heads up and down saying, "I have this disease and I am so glad it has been diagnosed!" It is an ailment that keeps the eternal carrot always dangling in front of the one seeking. What are the symptoms of "If Only"? The symptoms are very easily identified. It begins when one starts to strongly desire a specific person, place or thing. It could be money. It could be an education, a new job, losing weight, a new home, or a new love. What the desire is does not matter. What matters is the attachment to the coveted object. This is how the disease progresses. The desire grows and grows until the person is consumed with wanting the item of the day. Wanting that new car becomes so important that it begins to consume the afflicted one. The desire grows to the point that the only thing to be said is, "If only I had that car. If only I had that car my friends would think I am rich. If only I had that car, I would have friends! If only I had that car my self esteem would rise to incredible heights. If only I had that car, I would be happy!" The person begins to believe that his or her eternal pleasure depends on this object! That is the nitty gritty. "If only I had the car, or lost weight, or was rich, beautiful, young, old, smart, had a new house, dining room set, or job, I would be happy." How long would that happiness last? It would not last long. In a very short time, one would become infused with another strong desire followed by another "if only," and another and another. The problem with this disease is that it is progressive. It just keeps getting worse. The ancient wisdom of Kabbalah, discusses this very issue. Man was created with these strong desires. They are sparks that push us to continue acquiring everything and anything we can find that gives us pleasure. We seek and seek, hoping that one day "it" will come. And, what is "it"? "It" is that perfect something that will bring lasting happiness. Kabbalah states that what man is truly seeking is his spiritual root. He is seeking the answers to his very existence. However, there is a major problem. He does not even know that is what he is seeking! So he aimlessly continues acquiring money, education, entertainment, and everything else that he thinks will fill the emptiness inside. And, the "if onlies" progress. As the disease progresses, there are more desires that come faster and faster. They are more intense. It is as though one is fighting for life. In a sense, that is exactly what is happening. The affliction causes one to feel "dead" unless there is a new "if only" to conquer. Finally, there are no more "things" to acquire, and there is still no satisfaction. At that point, there is nowhere else to turn except to the spiritual. The cry of "Why?" turns into a perfect prayer to understand the meaning of life. According to Kabbalah, this prayer marks the beginning of a new, spiritual existence. The science of Kabbalah opens a whole new world to the "afflicted." Man still has the same desires. The only difference is that he now understands the purpose of those desires and how to use them for spiritual growth. One can begin to sense the real reason for being. There is the opportunity to understand and feel the real joy of life. Each individual on the planet has choices. Even though we are all afflicted with the "If Onlies," we also have the opportunity to be cured. It is up to us! If only we accept the challenge and look in the right direction! n