The Jacket Costs 4000 Dollars

A few weeks ago I was delivering a sermon in a synagogue. In the middle of my sermon, I noticed someone get up and walk out. Of course, I was pretty hurt, but I managed to contain my feelings and concluded the sermon. At the end of the service, I went over to the fellow and asked him why he’d left.
“Oh,” he said, “nothing personal, Rabbi. I went to get a haircut.”
Of course, I was relieved. But then it occurred to me to ask him, “But why didn’t you get the haircut before my sermon?”
“Rabbi, I didn’t need one then!”
***
In desperate need of a suit in honor of the holidays, I went shopping in the mall.
My first stop was a nice big store with a beautiful display. A pleasure to shop in – or so I thought. I went over to the first suit that caught my eye, an elegant blue striped suit, and casually checked the price tag. To my shock and consternation, it read $4000!
Obviously, I had walked into an extremely upscale store – the price range here was completely out of my league.
Not to feel like a total loser, I made sure to try on the jacket and photograph myself in it. And so, at least for a quick moment, I felt like a millionaire. And it was even caught on camera!
Walking out of the store, I couldn’t help thinking: Ah, if only I had the money to go shopping without dashing for the ” Sale” rack! Then, with closed eyes, I would swipe my credit card on a purchase of a flashy new Lamborghini; I would build a mansion on the beach.
Oh, I thought to myself, how happy I would be!
That changed on Sunday.
I was at the airport waiting to board the plane. Feeling hungry, I walked over to a newsstand to buy some candy. Against my better judgment, I snatched a glimpse at the day’s news headlines.
The covers of the multi-readership magazines and papers shouted of conflict, destroyed lives, and immorality. And somehow, most headlines involved celebrities.
Boom! In a flash, the truth hit me in the face, and it screamed: Wake up! See for yourself how fame, money and material bliss not only do not contribute to happiness – on the contrary, they thwart it! These adored personalities, envies of the public, can not enjoy the blessings of normal life, health and family which many take for granted. It’s a heavy price they pay.
*
Wednesday evening, we begin a nine-day non-stop marathon of feasting, dancing, and laughter.
Having a hard time putting a smile on the face after your credit card has been stretched to the max, and you don’t have a clue where to start?
That’s the point! You don’t need to acquire anything to find happiness, because it comes from within. Just look inside and become aware of the unique YOU, by appreciating the fact that you are so special that there is no one in the world like you. Be happy because G-d trusts and believes in you.
If thinking is too difficult, just put a smile on your face. True, you’ll feel like a stewardess. But feelings follow action, and before you know it, it will be for real.
Smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!