Nurture the Nature Within

Contemplate the natural forces of nature; air, earth, fire, and water, which when they are held in check, are aids to our lives. When they are out of control, such as hurricane force winds, or rain/snow storms or floods, or a firestorm, they cause havoc in our world. Instead of harnessing their energies for the good, their massive force is unleashed and we see just how powerless we are in their wake. The only thing we can do in these times is to figure out how we'll survive. And the magic of it is that life goes on. We get another day (most of the time).

In Genesis, it is written "The Almighty said 'Let us make adam/man in our image and likeness." (B'reishit 1:26). Many interpret this by saying that we contain all of the universe within us. If this is so, then we have all of the elemental forces of nature within us too. What happens when we keep those forces in check? We lead our lives in balance and calm, using these forces for the good. But, what happens when we are out of balance, and we let our fire burn through the normal defenses that keep it in check? We are apt to overreact, get so angry that we say things we don't mean, and leave destructive emotions in our wake. Where is the balance of the elements out of balance in your life? How can you reign them in? What help do you need from The Almighty?