Reed's Ginger Beer: Living Your Full Potential

Reed's Ginger Beer. It's a beverage that I consider a treat to drink. I sometimes put one in the fridge for myself to have after Shabbat dinner when I've cleared the table and everyone is fast asleep. Recently though, when I took one out of the fridge I noticed that it had already been open and half was gone. No bother, I thought. I don't need all of it. Half was good enough. And then I drank it, expecting the bubbly sweetness infused with the perfect amount of ginger. But, to my disappointment, the drink had gone flat. The bubbles were gone, there was only the taste of what seemed like an overly sweet beverage. I still drank it and enjoyed it, but not nearly as much.

That's when a thought occurred to me. In a sense, we are just like that ginger beer. We were created with a unique essence; a distinctive flavor and energy that makes us who we are. The world was meant to benefit from and enjoy exactly the person we are, not anyone else! Our mission is to improve our character while sharing our unique self with those around us.

Sadly, over time, as some people go through life, they allow painful life experiences and deep insecurities to conceal their unique spark. Subconsciously, they will feel this. People around will sense it too. And even if there's still something good about them (like the ginger beer that went flat), it's not the same. It's not the complete, unique spark that they were meant to impact the world with...

Learning lesson: Remember that the unique person that you are is needed in this world. Treasure and savor this. Don't try to modify what is perfectly YOU!