At a reception in honor of Ukrainian Independence Day, my colleague Rabbi Levi Shemtov of Washington, D.C. noticed the Russian ambassador in the crowd. Curious, he turned to the ambassador with a question, “Isn’t it from you, Russia, that the Ukrainians are celebrating independence.”
“True” agreed the Russian ambassador and continued to explain; “Now there are diplomatic relations between our countries. I join them in celebrating their independence and they join us in celebrating ours”.
Rabbi Shemtov was surprised, A Russian Independence Day? “From whom are you celebrating your independence?” he asked. The Russian ambassador looked confused, “that’s a good question” he replied in a thick Russian accent. “Maybe from ourselves?” he mused out loud.
This cute story highlights an important truth. So often the biggest obstacle that we face is ourselves. We have great plans, big dreams and lofty ideals. But when it gets down to it, we are in the same place that we were yesterday.
This past week we celebrated July 4th, American Independence Day – my question to you is; when is your personal independence day?
In Chabad, we have been taught by The Rebbe to celebrate the journey, and not only the destination. Each step – in the right direction – is a goal in itself. We overcome our self made obstacles not by radically changing over night but by taking one step at a time in the right direction.