In the Bible, the first instance of intoxication happens with Noah planting a vineyard, upon leaving the ark. What did Noah know? It was a beginner’s lesson: he could not know that people have to handle wine with consciousness and care.
Reb Nachman, a Jewish Hasidic Master, taught: “The entire world, life as we know it, is a very narrow bridge; and the important operating principle is not to be afraid”. The fear is of losing balance and “falling off”.
People often “spend” a lot of time out of balance in striving to keep up. They live with anxiety from unrelenting pressures.
A Lesson from Noah's Vineyard: Life is a balancing "act". Those who drink to excess will dull their senses, allowing but a moment’s escape from pressure. Many, who seek such relief, drink beer or hard liquor.
Wine, while subject to misuse, serves a different function. It slows you down, allowing you to appreciate what is going on around you, and to see connections: pairing food with wine, while enjoying family and friends.
Wine in moderation allows you to relax, to let your guard down, and to enjoy doing so. The taste of wine, a sip at a time, helps you calm down, catch your breath and see more clearly the forest: choices you make, and how you live.
A glass of wine, gracing a meal, provides a wonderful setting for reducing stress and restoring balance.
How important is balance:
In a wine?
In your life?
What relationship do you see between moderation and balance, and what part does wine play?
