As I reflect upon the decisions we make, I recall walking in the city and observing a man in tattered clothing, sketching pictures in chalk on the sidewalk. All day long this 'beggar and artist' worked on his "masterpiece" which, to my naked eye, seemed very good. As I watched, I realized that with a passing shower, this masterpiece would be lost never to be retrieved again. One wonders why he, seemingly wasted his time painting with chalk. However, we realize that it was his decision and he was pleased with a piece of art though it was to be a temporary one.
Thinking this through, I begin to realize that there are so many people who spend their time on masterpieces in chalk which are scarcely worth the the time and energy expended on them. In life, to be worthwhile, we must determine what things are really important and what truly is permanent and to make the decisions that will permit our actions to have long lasting affect upon ourselves and upon mankind.
How true this is, as we read Parshat B'shalach, and recall the story of the Jewish People escaping the onslaught of Pharoah and his army only to face the waters of the Red Sea. For them, life was in the balance, for they could not go backward or go forward. What should they do and what decision should they make?
At this crucial moment, for עם ישראל, Moshe hears the words of G-D, ויאמר הי אל משה מה תצעק אלי דבר אל בני ישראל ויסעו "Hashem says to Moshe, why do you cry out to me? Speak to the Children of Israel and let them go forth."
Rashi suggests that G-D was telling Moshe, "Now is not the time for prayer, for the Jewish People are in jeopardy and a decision has to be made. Hashem is telling Moshe to go forward, show your faith and betachon in Hashem and go forward and you will see the saving power of G-D."
Moshe makes the right decision and the waters part and the Jewish People are saved. At that moment, standing on the shores of the Red Sea, indecision would have been fatal. For Moshe and the עם it was not only a leap of faith, but a leap of life that will encourage them to move forward and to achieve the optimum that life has to offer them.
The choice seems to be easy - to be proactive with the hope that our decisions will propel us into the bright and glorious future or to remain stagnant in the quagmire of indecision.
The answer depends on how ambitious we are to see our dreams and hopes fulfilled.
Are your dreams of better times and a better life ready to be fulfilled and realized, or are you merely a fence sitter? The answer is simply יסעו, move, act, be a shaker and a mover in life.
As a therapist, I am inclined to suggest that when a big decision is to be made our best bet is to make it from the side of courage rather than from the side of fear. Of course, unnecessary risk taking is foolish, but if life is to be lived fully then saying 'no' to your fears and taking a risk may be the first step to success. I sense that was the way Nachshon, standing at the Red Sea, must have felt as he acted in a decisive matter and jumped into the sea while others were arguing what to do.
It takes courage and belief in Hashem to make decisions, but being indecisive is much worse.
We need to take the plunge in life and be courageous in our decisions and always feel confident that we, with our insight, did the right thing.
With the will of G-D and a strong desire to succeed, we will be zocheh to reap the harvest of our efforts.
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