Real Success-Purim 2020

Purim is here, we feel it in the air,

It is a time of festivities as we are aware,

So as I like to do year after year

I’ll explain a deeper message and with you I will share.

On Purim we dress up in costumes and masks,

We hide our true selves for people to guess and ask,

It's part of the fun but there's something more,

There's a deeper aspect here that we can explore.

When we cover our faces on the outside,

We are allowing the external to hide,

And then we can focus on what's in our souls,

The inner part of us that it's special and whole.

The world we live in measures success,

By what can be seen by the eyes and how it's expressed,

A big house, lots of money or letters after one's name,

Are some things that show someone "made it" in this fake game.

But the Torah tells us true success is seen by,

The struggles we overcome that are hidden from the public eye

Changing our habits and improving our character traits,

Like overcoming negativity, laziness or anger make us truly great.

These internal successes don't get awards and aren't seen,

But that's exactly what counts in the greater scheme,

So on Purim we hide our face behind the mask,

As we challenge ourselves with this most difficult task.

Of focusing on fixing what's inside our hearts,

This day of Purim is the best time to start,

Because by removing the emphasis from success seen by all,

We can overcome internal struggles every time we fall.

Let's remember that the Torah values our efforts when we try,

And with Hashem's help we'll be able to soar and fly!

Let's all remove our masks and zoom in on what's inside,

And may we be proud of the perfected character we will find!

So c'mon, let's celebrate our internal successes that are true and real, 

So deep, inner happiness we will be able to feel! 

A Freilichen Purim!