Simchas and Mitzvos

The past week at Eyaht has been a time of many simchas. One of our dear friends and, shall we say, glue of the school, got engaged! Can you say MAZEL TOV!? I could not be more thrilled to be here at such an exciting time, and I feel so fortunate to get to help out and participate in all of the simchas. As soon as we found out about the engagement, all the Eyaht girls were asking how they could help with the vort. Right up until the very last detail was taken care of, I did not see the girls stop taking care of our new Kallah. It is a wonderful time like this when one can truly see that Eyaht really is a family, and I have never seen people take care of each other, ever in my life, the way they do here.
You may already be able to guess, but, Baruch H-shem, there are mitzvos for a person to do everywhere. I have felt my eyes being especially open to the opportunities since I have been in Israel. H-shem put us here to do mitzvos, 613 of them, and He graciously throws them in the paths of our daily lives, whether we always choose to receive them or not. Not only does a simcha, like an engagement, give a large opportunity for mitzvos, but there truly are mitzvos everywhere. I feel that, thank Gd, I am constantly blessed with a mitzvah. I never realized how truly vital mitzvos are to our lives. They are what keeps us going, and they are our purpose for being here. That is huge. If not for that reason alone, everyone should be out doing mitzvos all day, just knowing that. I am so lucky that I am in a country where my mitzvos are handed to me. I'm in a place where people leave their trash outside their door so that I can have the mitzvah of helping another. Almost daily, I have the pleasure of crossing a small child across the street, and without even speaking a word, I like to think I've brightened their day. Giving tzedakah, helping a friend, and so many more not only brighten the lives of others, but truly brighten your neshama as well. I know I'm growing when I do what H-shem has put me here to do, and I am so thankful that I am finally in a place that is helping me understand the reasons why.