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There were two Chassidim who lived in the city of Babruysk. Both were truly committed to their Judaism and they would often spend hours immersed in soulful prayer. However one was constantly sad while the other was always joyful.
The first Chassid would contemplate the origins of his soul, where it was completely united with its infinite Divine source, before it entered his body then compare it to where his soul was now, inhibited by human needs, limitations and failings. This perception led him to bitterness.
The joyful Chassid’s Divine service, however, was motivated by optimism. He would contemplate on where his soul was now and its potential for even more accomplishments through Mitzvot. In this way the soul climbs the ladder of spirituality and experiences meteoric growth. He understood that we fulfil our mission in this world when we are challenged by our bodily existence and work to transform the physical around us into the spiritual, and in this way we rise to a level that is completely beyond our previous status.
At times bitterness can lead to dissatisfaction and like medicine when employed periodically, it can bring positive change. But when one is constantly dissatisfied, that ultimately turns into negativity. Constant joy, however, breeds an open mind and an open heart.
- Based on a talk by the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn