Men love toys and gadgets. So, it was no surprise to me when my husband
returned home one day with the latest gadget. In his hand he held a small black
apparatus and was eager to demonstrate its efficacy. He claimed it was vital for
the enhancement of the quality of our life.
The new device meant to improve and simplify our morning routine was an
automatic car starter.
"Just push here and, voila, the van will automatically start up,"
he explained as he pushed one of the small protruding buttons. "If you are
indoors, or far from where the van is parked, lift this antenna," he
instructed, extending a long, silver antenna. "Several minutes before you
are ready to head out, press the button, and the van will be all warmed up for
you," he concluded with a tone of satisfaction.
Never an enthusiast for electronic gadgets, I listened half-heartedly to his
instructions, nodding absentmindedly as he indicated the various buttons for
locking, unlocking and alarming the van.
But the next time that I had occasion to use the automatic starter, I
regretted that I hadn't paid closer attention. Pushing the wrong button, the
alarm was triggered and the van beeped continuously and noisily. Frantically I
pressed every button, as neighbors and pedestrians disdainfully looked on. By
the time my four year old son showed me the correct button to press, I was ready
to toss out the little wonder machine.
Eventually, though, I did get the hang of the automatic starter. In time, I
even enjoyed using it. On icy winter mornings, I appreciated its convenience
immensely. Each time, I marveled anew at how the simple pressing of the right
button produced such a comfortably warm vehicle.
And then it struck me that we, too, all have automatic starters. Each morning
we wake up and have a panoramic choice of buttons to press.
Starting our day with the right frame of mind, in gratitude to our Creator,
expressed through our prayers and Torah studies, can get our morning started off
on the right track. Pushing the right buttons throughout the day -- a nod of
encouragement or a welcoming smile to a child, spouse or acquaintance -- can
warm you and those around you.
On the other hand, push the wrong button -- start off with a negative frame
of mind, a harsh word or a scowling demeanor -- and you've filled your day with
a shrill and disturbing noise.
And though it may sometimes seem like a small act, done from a far distance,
we all have large antennas, and each of our actions can be far-reaching in its
impact.
There's one problem, though. Now that I've actually come to enjoy and
appreciate this little automatic car starter, my husband -- and four year old
son -- are hoping to teach me how to work all those other electronic
contraptions...
Dedicated to my parents, Rabbi Dovid and
Batsheva Schochet, on the occasion of their upcoming anniversary and my
father's birthday. In gratitude to you both, for teaching by example how
to push the right and meaningful buttons in life.
