“This is the law of the metzora [one who has leprosy]…” (Vayikra 14:2)

Once there was a peddler that went around announcing: “Who wants to buy a potion for long life?” He always had a crowd of interested customers.

Rabbi Yanai once heard the peddler and asked to see his wares. The peddler responded “You don’t need my merchandise.” He took out a sefer Tehillim and showed Rabbi Yanai the pasuk: “Whoever desires life should guard his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” (Vayikra Rabbah 16)

One day I will renovate my kitchen. I make myself this promise a thousand times a week. It’s usually when I am trying to find some pot in my crowded cabinets or struggling to find a place for the coffee in my overstuffed pantry. Then I imagine my imminent renovations.

Whenever I see beautiful kitchens advertised I’m sure that that’s what I’ll do in my home. I’ll have a stunning kitchen with a matching dinette set. A separate pantry and maybe even recessed lighting. And then I’ll be happy.

Sure. I’ll be thrilled for a month. Then I’ll be moderately content for another two months. And then my remodeled kitchen will become part of my life.

I know a lot of people who have gorgeous kitchens and aren’t happy. Happiness is something internal. A good life is not dependent on the make and model of your refrigerator. Love nachas satisfaction and serenity — they’re all things that everybody is constantly seeking. Where are they?

There is another pasuk in Tehillim discussing the same concept as the peddler: “Who is the man who desires life? He who loves his days to see good.” How are these two recommendations —appreciating each day and not speaking lashon hara — connected? One who is truly happy and utilizes each day by seeking the good in it will surely also be looking to find the good in people. He therefore will not fall into the trap of maligning others. So he has a good life because he is seeking good within life and within people. (Noam Si’ach Rav Shneur Kotler)

There’s nothing tangible that can grant me happiness. No store nor bank. Only my own outlook on life seeing the positive will promote happiness.

The Baal Ketzos HaChoshen explains: A traveling salesman is always nervous when he’s on the road — awaiting his return home. Then once he’s home he’s anxious to get back on the road to earn more money. He’s always waiting for time to pass to bring the next stage.

But a content person is satisfied with his days and sees the good in them; he appreciates that he merits to add mitzvos daily. This was the peddler’s intention in his response to Rabbi Yanai. You are not one of those who sits waiting for time to pass. (Divrei Shaul Rav Shaul Natanson)

I look around me; people are always waiting for the next stage in life. When the newborn cries they can’t wait for him to sleep through the night. When he begins to crawl they anxiously await his first steps. And once he starts walking they bemoan the fact that he’s getting into mischief and wait for him to “grow up.”

Always waiting. When I finally have a walk-in closet then I’ll feel more organized. And when I have older kids I can start enjoying my Shabbos table. Then … when my dreams are actualized … then I’ll enjoy life. Then …

Those people seek happiness lurking on the horizon. But as they move closer to their goal the distance seems to widen. Who are those that seek life? Those who notice the good that is here right now. With the baby crawling the lack of closet space and the old kitchen.

I don’t want to wait until the Seder night to sit back and sigh that I am finally finished with “those hectic days.” No. I want to enjoy even the craziest moments now. With rivers of soap suds and piles of papers on the dining room table. With the six-year-old who organizes her sticker collection by placing them all on the windowpane and the eight-year-old who diligently removes all the dirt from the house plant to clean it for chometz.

I want to love such days. To see only good in them. To get up every morning with a song on my lips for another beautiful day — to appreciate and fulfill my potential.

One day I am going to find myself with an empty nest and plenty of closet space. So I don’t want to wait for better days in the future. Because today is good.