Where Do Ideas Come From?
I recently wrote about miniatures, like small bottles of liquor or toiletries, and how people have an unusual affinity for them. One of my readers wrote back to me: “Miniatures? Really? How do you come up with these things?”
I thought about it. How do I come up with these things? I mean, I’ve been writing this column for over twenty years, and somehow, I manage to come up with topics. I used to marvel at newspaper columnists who had daily columns for decades and never seemed to run out of ideas. Of course, they probably have more time than I do, as they do nothing else the whole day but write their columns. They don’t daven, learn, work another job, etc.
But the truth is, it’s not just a matter of time. As you see, I wrote the column about miniatures, and the reader was blown away. But she might have as much time as I do, yet not think of it. In truth, the reason I’m able to come up with columns is because I’m constantly paying attention to what goes on around me. It doesn’t have to be big or important. A small thing like bending down to tie your shoe and your pen falling out of your pocket can be food for thought and fodder for a column.
A Different Question
People like to ponder the big philosophical question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Well, I don’t care. Not that I don’t feel bad when people experience difficulties, but since Hashem does everything for our benefit, I can trust that He knows what He’s doing, and I don’t need to understand. I’m not making the calls, so I can mind my own business.
Instead, my question, as the title of this column shows, is: “Why do things happen to people?” Mostly, my question is about me, because if Hashem (God) is sending a message to someone else, I’m not really privy to it because I don’t know what they know in their heart of hearts. I don’t know their dreams, goals, abilities, or challenges. I can’t say, “This happened to you because…” because I honestly would have no way of knowing.
Paying Attention to the Messages
Instead, I pay attention to the world around me. When something enters my periphery, my field of vision, I know it’s because Hashem wants me to take some message from it. When a car in front of me is driving very slowly and annoying me, I don’t chalk it up to the other guy not knowing how to drive. I assume Hashem wanted me to be slowed for some reason, so he sent the guy who doesn’t know how to drive to come do it.
People often ignore the little things because they think they don’t mean much. But I’ll tell you something; the devil isn’t in the details – That’s God. Nothing gets past Hashem, and nothing is by chance. He’s communicating with us all the time through the events He sets into motion and the circumstances He arranges.
If that’s the case, then everything we encounter can inspire a thought or idea about growth, change, or even Divine approval for the path we’re on and what we’re doing. When you pull into a parking lot and someone right near the front pulls out and you get the spot, do you stop and thank Hashem? Do you appreciate that He’s just sent you a love note, saying He thinks you’re really swell and this was a great way for Him to show it?
Seeing Hashem Everywhere
When you get into the mindset of seeing what’s there, just not visible or obvious, you’ll begin to see the hand of Hashem everywhere. You’ll start to notice Hashem’s involvement in your life more regularly, and you won’t see things as bad. You’ll see them as a perfect fit for you, because Hashem knows you better than you even know yourself, and knows exactly what you need.
Life will be more peaceful and experiences more positive. You’ll feel that Hashem is talking to you throughout the day and you’ll be able to respond appropriately. Plus, the more He knows you’re listening, the more He will communicate with you.
Trusting the One in Charge
And guess what? Instead of wondering why bad things happen to good people, you’ll wonder why the sky is blue or the ocean is salty. You’ll consider why people believe they deserve more than they really might, and why we feel we’ll live forever.
You’ll also wonder why the shopping cart you just pulled out of the rack has a shopping list in it, or why you saw a fox crossing the street. You may not be plagued by these questions as long as why children get dreaded diseases, but the answer to all these questions is the same: Because Hashem is in charge and He’s a lot smarter than I am, so I’ll just trust Him if I can’t figure it out.
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
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