One Size, Many Lessons

Recently,  I used an unusually quiet moment to order some clothing online — feeling great that I was thinking ahead to the changing season. 

Alas, despite thoughtful ordering, every single item fit poorly, leaving me with the arduous task of returns. 

So much for the idea of, “one size fits all”.

It doesn’t and it shouldn’t. 

Gd didn’t design the world that way. With tens of thousands of differing species of birds and hundreds of thousand different plant species — topped off with “billions of trillions” of stars in the universe — it’s clear that “one size doesn’t fit all”.

Microcosmically too, no human being is the same. Each of us endowed with our own unique qualities, talents, soul and mission!

Individualism at its best. Endowed by God and personalized by ourselves. 

In this week’s Parsha we read of a mutinous uprising against Moses by his own cousin no less. It was a contest of leadership. Not Moses’s position, rather some other elevated position that Korach felt belonged to him. The problem was, Gd had chosen otherwise.

One would think that this would suffice for Korach, yet in his contest, he questioned whether his lost position was truly from Gd or it was Moses’s doing. It seems that nothing really changes in life. I’ve encountered many a successful person, harboring some resentment about life and all the opportunities that seem to have been awarded elsewhere. 

Yet Korach aside — I’m coming off a day, yesterday that is — spent in reflection and inspiration on the 32nd Yartzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. 

You see, the Rebbe’s approach was radically different. In every encounter he tapped out the latent potential of the other. He refused to accept the status quo. He was the biggest believer in the power of each individual. The sky not even the limit.. (a few interesting links here to see the Rebbe's style - a) 6 people , b) a variety of links)

The results of this empowering truth show for themselves. Both in the network of Chabad Houses that he directly inspired, coupled with the millions of others that upped their game and achieved things that would ordinarily not have —as a result of his conviction and his engulfing message to all.  “Live your individual & unique mission” for only you can be you. Only you can achieve the Divine mission gifted to you — the world therefore need you!

One size doesn’t fit all after all — it doesn’t and it shouldn’t. It’s no more than an empty slogan. 

As for me, lesson learned and USPS is a great beneficiary of this!!