“All Beginnings are Difficult”

-Ishmael ben Elisha

The Chinese philosopher Laozi famously wrote that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But sometimes that first step- oy!

Take getting out of bed in the morning, for example. It can be the toughest step we take all day. We want to go back to sleep, remain cocooned in our bedding, stay horizontal. To confront gravity head on and stand upright is an audacious challenge! But we must do it to start the day.

The steepest learning curve is usually at the beginning, especially in new endeavors. I’m in the midst of starting a beverage business, something I’ve never done before. Sure, I have a great recipe. But bottling, pasteurizing, distribution, suppliers, price changes, selling, branding, marketing- the list goes on. Once I’ve produced the first batch, and have the systems in place to do the next one-it will be easier. I trust there’s a plateau, at least for a bit, on top of the steep turning curve.  Births are messy, often painful, usually a struggle. But without birth, no life. Getting out of the gate may be tough. But who can live their life always behind the gate?

What do you want to begin today?

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Rabbi Ishmael “Ba’al HaBaraita” or Ishmael ben Elisha (90-135 CE) was a Tanna of the 1st and 2nd centuries (third tannaitic generation). A Tanna (plural, Tannaim) is a rabbinic sage whose views are recorded in the Mishnah.

Joe Laur is a father, husband, naturalist, executive, consultant, and a lowly rabbinic student. Send him your favorite teaching quote for commentary. He can be reached at joe.laur@godsdog.net.