“If I am not for myself, who will be? And when I am for myself, what am ‘I’? And if not now, when?”  – Hillel the Elder

There’s not much I quote from the many years I studied at a Yeshiva but I feel like today, this is an apropos quote for the current situation.  A few people come to mind when I write this, and if you think I am also writing this in your general direction, you are probably correct.

Hillel’s message is clear:  although we cannot only be for ourselves, we must be for ourselves too.  We should be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves, but we should speak up for ourselves too.  We should not settle for the mediocrity that we find comfort in.  I particularly like the end of the quote where he asks, “if not now, when?”  Interpretations point to Hillel making this statement about studying Torah (the Jewish Law), that one should not wait to have free time to study because what would happen if there is no free time?  (Jeez, I know what that feels like…)

Or in the case of my situation — I say to myself, I will be happy when “_______”.

What goes in the blank?  Why can’t the blank be filled now?  I think it will be!