The Guinness World Records just announced a new record breaking achievement of the loudest “shout”, clocking in at 122.4 decibels.
What struck my attention is “not” that this shout is as loud as jet engines taking off or louder than an emergency vehicle siren. Rather, the word that he shouted in order to break the world’s record.
NOW!
According to a quick online search, the protagonist practiced shouting several words with his daughter until he realized that the word NOW allowed him to project the most force.
NOW!
It’s actually not surprising if you think about it.
Jewish wisdom from thousands of years ago as recorded in the Mishna teaches us the following:
“If I am not for myself, who will be? Yet if I am primarily for myself, what am I? And if not NOW then when?
Yes, when? Yes, am I too into my own self and missing things around me? Or perhaps, am I neglecting myself, my marriage, my relationship with my family, my spiritual growth, my commitment to our cherished Heritage — Torah and Mitzvot, my legacy?
Expediency in the right context is critical and advisable. Doing good, achieving a goal, growing spiritually and all those things that we may be pushing off for a better time — should be done today.
NOW! And I’m NOT SHOUTING!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,