Hindsight is Rose-Tinted

It’s really easy to look back at a past dating experience and tell yourself that you could have, should have made it work. That you over-analyzed. That you should have gotten over the way you felt. That if he had X, Y and Z going for him, you should have been okay with the limitations your relationship would’ve had. Because then at least you’d be married now. At least you wouldn’t be dealing with shidduchim anymore.

 

Been there, done that. (Still there, still doing that).

 

That’s why the following pasuk (Shemos 16:3) leapt off the pages when I learned it recently: “Bnei Yisroel said to [Moshe and Aaron], ‘If only we would have died by the hand of Hashem in the land of Mitzrayim, as we sat by the pot of meat, when we ate bread to satiety, for you took us out to this midbar to kill this entire congregation by famine.'” At least we had food in Mitzrayim–maybe it wasn’t so bad after all…

 

Sometimes hindsight is 20/20, but often, hindsight is rose-tinted. Of course we tell ourselves new stories about the past once time has unmoored it from the pressures, limitations, and considerations of the moment. It’s natural to look favorably at a past opportunity because, like Mitzrayim, at least it’s a known exile. But you know what happened in the midbar when Bnei Yisroel needed food? Turns out they didn’t have to go back to Mitzrayim to get it. Because Hashem sent the manna.

 

Instead of davening for an opportunity to return to Mitzrayim, daven for manna. Hashem can send it just as easily.

 

I hope this is helpful! I was so inspired by this pasuk when I learned it!

 

P.S. Regret in shidduchim and when the dress doesn’t fit.