Running towards the bigger issues - Miketz

As some of you may know, during the past few months I have been training to run my second half marathon to benefit Chai Lifeline. During this training period, I have been faced with new challenges every day. For example, recently, I ran for an hour and thirty seven minutes straight even though it was physically taxing or difficult. Achievements take time and effort, however, if you don't give up and you take one step at a time, you can complete any goal that you put your mind to.

In this week's parsha, we read how Yosef was stuck in jail. One day Pharaoh had a few disturbing dreams so he brought Yosef out to explain them. Yosef explained the dreams and quickly became the second in command over Mitzrayim. We learned previously that in order for Yosef to become a leader he needed to be thrown into a pit, sold to a caravan and put in jail. Finally when he completed all these tests on his faith, Pharaoh allowed him to come out of jail and be a leader.

I draw examples from running often because running has consumed a large part of my life. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed, I put on my shoes and run down the street in order to figure out how to manage it. Usually I try to tackle being overwhelmed by breaking it down into multiple individual parts. By focusing on one part at a time, the challenge is more manageable and therefore doesn't seem so bad anymore. Hopefully we can take one step this week to make this world into a better place causing the ultimate redemption to come very soon!

Good Shabbos

All the best

Avroham Y Ross