In continuing the theme of faith in Hashem I heard a parable from R'Elimelech Biderman.

He said it is interesting to note that when people fly after landing they go to claim their baggage. As the bags turn on the conveyor belt there is really no supervision and anyone could easily steal someone else's bag. Incredibly this is something that very rarely happens. He said the reason this doesn't happen is because if you take someone's bag you know in a few minutes you will need to pass through customs and who knows what that person might have hidden in their bag.

The same is true with us, when we look at other people we may have a tendency to want their life but in truth we don't know what kind of issues and problems may be hidden.

While I don't know if this is really an accurate reason (with domestic travel bags don't seem to be stolen either), but along this same line of reasoning I thought of a similar idea.  Imagine that you are going on a trip and you sit down next to someone who seems successful and seemingly has everything going for them. He turns to you and makes you an offer. He says when we get off the plane I will make a deal with you, we will switch bags with each other, but on one condition, you can't look in my bag before switching and I can't look in yours. While it may sound intriguing would you take him up on the offer? You can assume he has fancy clothes, designer shoes and expensive jewelry so it would be a great deal for you in exchange for your "shmates"  and sneakers. All the things you may dream of owning are in that bag so why not switch? I think everyone would refuse the offer. Why? Because you are going on a trip and you meticulously packed everything you need for your trip. The clothes in your bag fit you, they are suitable for the climate and areas you may be going to, additionally you may have other personal items like medicine etc. that are exactly what you need.

This is how we need to look at the world and our situation. Most people have a tendency to look at the guy sitting next to them and want their bag, but we need to realize that life is one big trip and "our bag" is what Hashem gave us and is perfect for us, it has everything that we need. The other guy's "shoes" and "clothes" won't fit us, so we need to be grateful for "our bag" and realize that it is only with "our bag" that we can each fulfill our unique purpose in the world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath