Only You

Every single one of us has a unique job to accomplish in this world. We all have a distinct soul and Light we are destined to reveal. Nobody else in the world – past, present or future – has or will have the ability to do what the Creator has entrusted us to do. If all the greatest spiritual giants were to come down and work for a million years, even they could never do what we can – and must - do.

There is a story about the building of the Holy Temple (an important world spiritual center) in Jerusalem. According to the ancient texts, all the most beautiful stones were gathered for the building. During the construction, the workers found a stone that was so ugly it was cast aside into a rubble heap. As the Temple neared completion, they found a stone missing in a tiny corner of the most important part of the building, what Kabbalists call “the Holy of Holies” (the innermost sacred chamber.) They were unsure what to do because they were all out of stones.

Finally, one man remembered the ugly stone they discarded earlier, and he retrieved it from the trash. Not only did it fit, but it was a perfect fit! King David even writes a verse describing the scene, “the stone the builders despised became the cornerstone.”

One of the greatest ploys of our negative side is to convince us that we are not enough. We think others are more knowledgeable and better suited to do great things whereas we are somehow limited in what we can accomplish. But as this story teaches us, the lowest can become the highest because each one of us has a unique gift that only we can share with the world.

There is another story of the student of a great kabbalist who wished he could accomplish great things in this world, but doubted his ability to do so. He told his teacher, “if only I had the brains of this great wise man, the vision of this other great wise man, and the physical abilities of yet this other great wise man, only then could I really accomplish something significant with my life.”

The kabbalist responded, “There are things only you can do for people because of your unique qualities that no one else in the world can do. You do not need anybody else’s abilities to accomplish your life’s important purpose.”

This is an essential point. Many of us think, “If only I had that talent or education or money of so-and-so, then I could do big things.” The kabbalists warn us of such erroneous thinking. We are exactly the way we are meant to be, and no one can do what we can - and need - to do. The Light gave us everything we need and all of those people we are envious of can never do what we can.

The great 18th century polish kabbalist, Rav Zusha of Anipoli, once said, “When I go to heaven, I won’t be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Moses? Why weren’t you Abraham?’ I will be asked, ‘Why weren’t you Zusha?’”

We each have all the qualities we need to do the great things we are meant to do. We do not need to be someone else. We are exactly who we are for a reason, and we have a unique soul and mission that only you or I can accomplish.

I cannot stress this point enough. There are so many people out there whose unique gifts remain hidden. And if they leave this world without bringing out their gifts, the world will be forever lacking, no matter how many spiritual giants come into existence.

This week, realize there are people whose lives can be influenced, improved and changed only by you. Look within and ask yourself, “What is my unique gift to this world?” Once you know what you are looking for, you will find it. And when you do, cherish it because nobody else can reveal the unique Light you are meant to reveal.