("Let's table the discussion" is a new Adath Israel Shul initiative where a story or thought is presented in order to stimulate exciting and constructive discussion around our Shabbos table or among friends and children.) 

My old summer counselor and now RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Dovid Hirsch used to tell the story of the famous NASCAR driver Rick Mears who had been the most successful driver in NASCAR history.

The reporters asked Mears about why he was able to be more successful than all the other car drivers. Mears noted that he had a different outlook than the other drivers.

“While everyone else travels around the track, they all think about how many laps they’ve already driven and are focused on how much they’ve already accomplished and are still in their current place. I’m totally focused on the last lap, the finished line and how much closer to it I am getting each time around. Keeping the eye on the goal instead of the past helped me stay on the course to become a winner.”

Rav Ovadiah Yosef ztl notes that the proper outlook on life is not resting back on our previous accomplishments but rather on looking up at our ultimate goals and how much closer we are to achieving them. When we focus on the target we remind ourselves that we will achieve instead of resting back on what we’ve already done.

Yaakov Aveinu too, reminds his family that Nakumah V’Naaleh Beit El (35:3)—we will arise and ascend Beit El. Rav Yehonasan Eibushutz points out that the only way to get ot the house of Hashem is to be focused on V’Nakumah – moving upwards and onwards.

What are YOU doing to keep striving in life?

How can you stay focused on moving forward?

Let’s  “table” the discussion – by discussing it with our children, spouses, families and guests and open an exciting  discussion into our homes and community.