“ it is essential to create environments that support our well-being”
Parashat Acharei Mot reminds us of the importance of guarding and nurturing a positive environment. The Torah discusses the rituals and practices that the Israelites must follow to ensure that their surroundings are pure and conducive to spiritual growth. This emphasis on the influence of environment offers us valuable insights into the power that our surroundings have on shaping our thoughts, actions and character.
Our environment plays a significant role in influencing our behavior and beliefs. Just as the Israelites were instructed to cleanse their physical surroundings to maintain holiness, we too must be mindful of the environments we expose ourselves to in our daily lives. Our environment includes the people we interact with, the places we frequent, and the media we consume. These all have the potential to impact our values and shape our worldview, either positively or negatively.
As we live our lives in our modern world filled with distractions and temptations, it is essential to create environments that support our well-being, including our spiritual well-being. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences such as kind-hearted individuals, uplifting literature, and spaces of reflection can help us stay true to our values and goals. I recently enjoyed the experience of a retreat, with some time for reflection and the positive energy from that experience is still influencing me weeks later. On the other hand, exposing ourselves to negative influences can lead us astray and hinder our spiritual growth.
In addition, the concept of environment is not limited to our physical spaces we inhabit, it includes our digital environment as well. Our social media and online communities also play a significant role in shaping our thoughts and behaviors. It is important to be mindful of the content and information we choose to engage with online and to ensure that it aligns with our values and beliefs.
In the final analysis, Parashat Acharei Mot makes us remember the profound influence our environment has on us through this journey of life. By actively cultivating spaces that nurture our souls and support our growth, we can strive to lead our lives on purpose. Let us be conscious of the environments we create and choose to inhabit, making certain that they reflect the values and ideals we hold dear.
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