“Grim headlines, hard data show suicides on rise among teens nationally” - Fox News headline today
Unfortunately we know this all too well as another teen committed suicide this week by jumping in front of a Metro North train.
I once heard a story about a Rabbi who went to visit a teen hospitalized after attempting to commit suicide. The boy said “Rabbi, don’t waste you time. There was another clergy member here earlier and I already heard what you guys have to say”.
“Really” said the Rabbi “and may I ask you what he said?” The boy responded “He said that G-d loves me and everyone loves me, so I shouldn’t commit suicide. But why should I have to live just because you or G-d loves me? If you need someone to love go buy a pet” The Rabbi said “you’re right. But G-d needs you. The fact that you are alive means that G-d needs you for something”
The boy immediately sat up in bed and began his long journey to recovery. The Rabbi gave this boy the gift of meaning and purpose
Love is important and nice but it’s not going to solve this terrible epidemic.
Love is all about me - everyone loves me. Purpose, on the other hand is all about others. (Purpose and meaning are not about my needs but rather what I’m needed for. Less me and more you.)
Today’s teens don’t need more, not even more love. From IPhones to flying drones they have it all. They actually need less, not less materialism but less of themselves. They don’t need to GET more, they need to GIVE more.
They can have it all, but with a strong sense of purpose our teens will NOT become self absorbed and self-centered and will be much happier as a result.
We are much happier and more fulfilled when we focus on our mission more and ourselves less :)
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Benjy Silverman