Life is like a roller coaster - full of ups and downs. Sometimes we have good times and sometimes we have difficult times. But, the Torah tells us in this week's Sedra:

"And you shall rejoice with all the good that Hashem has given you.

" Hashem doesn't say "be happy when things are going well." He is saying: "be happy all of the time." How is this possible? I can't imagine anyone who is able to be happy always!? Can you?

A pathway toward an answer is to read this verse in context. It comes at the end of a long paragraph which is a declaration a person has to make when he brings "Bikurim" - first fruits of the shivas haminim (seven species) - to the Kohen in the Temple. Bringing these fruits is done to show thanks to Hashem that everything comes from Him. Our strength to plant crops, to work, to harvest, and the growth of the fruit itself - all come from Hashem.

However, the declaration that the owner of the fruit has to make when he brings the fruit goes much further than just thanking Hashem for the fruit. He has to say:

1. Lavan tried to kill my ancestor Yaacov Avinu.
2. Then Yaacov and the tribes went down to Egypt.
3. We were slaves in Egypt.
4. Hashem took us out of Egypt.
5. Hashem brought us to Israel - a land of milk and honey.
6. Behold - this is the first fruit which we have planted in this land that Hashem has given us.

This sounds like an overview of Jewish history - all for one bushel of figs?! This is like a mini Haggadah - as mentioned by Sifre. Why this whole long history - just to give a few first fruits? Can you suggest an answer?

One answer is that our history has had ups and downs - slavery and redemption. But, when we look back at our history, it is the bad times which have allowed Hashem to take us out of those difficult times, which produced our happiness in the land today! It seems that the "downs" have led to the "ups".

The message of how we can "rejoice with all the goodness that Hashem has given you" is a two-step process:

1. Sure there are ups and downs in my life. But the "downs" allow me to appreciate the "ups". It is like a cycle - whatever goes down must come up!
2. Look at the big picture of life, and look at what you have accomplished - how far you have come. Don't focus on the bad times, rather focus on the fruit -on all that you do have in your life. This is the secret to being happy with all the goodness that Hashem has given you. Look at the tough times in perspective of all of the good things in your life.

In this way, we can train our minds to have a positive attitude and to look at the good things in our lives, and then we can always be happy - with an attitude that looks at life in a broad perspective. Focus on the fruit that Hashem has given you - and appreciate Hashem's kindness - and you will allow yourself "to rejoice with all the good that Hashem has given you."