The Spiral Staircase of Life: Finding Joy and Perspective Through the Twists and Turns
Have you ever felt like just when you’re about to reach your goal, you’re facing the opposite direction? Life’s journey can feel just like that—a winding, unpredictable spiral staircase. Instead of a straight path upward, we find ourselves circling, sometimes losing sight of our destination, longing for a clear sign of progress. Yet, these very twists and turns can become the source of our greatest growth, resilience, and even joy.
A Tale of Joy in Adversity
Consider the story of a chassid unjustly imprisoned by the Czar’s regime. While in prison, he became downhearted—not because of his confinement, but due to being unable to recite blessings in such impure conditions. His Rebbe, in a rare visit, gently reminded him that the same divine instructions that require blessings also dictate not to recite them under certain circumstances. Embracing this message, the chassid broke into joyful dance, transforming his suffering into celebration. His joy proved infectious, uplifting fellow inmates and even prompting a guard to remove the offending obstacle.
This story illuminates a profound truth: Even when we feel trapped or diverted from our goals, we can find purpose and light within those very moments—if we choose to see them differently.
The Swindling Spiral: When Progress Feels Invisible
Rabbi Simon Jacobson shares the Baal Shem Tov’s vivid analogy: In Yiddish, a spiral staircase is called a “shvindel trep,” or swindling stairs. Unlike a regular staircase, where you can always see your goal and know you’re moving directly toward it, a spiral staircase often requires you to turn your back to the very place you’re striving for. Just before reaching the top, your back is completely turned away, making progress hard to measure and discouragement easy to fall into.
Yet, it’s precisely in these moments—when we feel farthest, when the path twists unexpectedly—that we are often closest to a breakthrough. The hidden nature of progress is not a trick, but a necessary part of the journey.
How to Rise Through Life’s Spirals: Practical Perspectives
- See the Whole Picture: Take a step back. When you feel lost or off course, remember that the journey isn’t always linear. Like Rabbi Akiva, who learned to laugh amidst tragedy by focusing on the bigger story, cultivate perspective beyond the immediate struggle.
- Turn Challenges into Opportunities for Joy: Emulate the chassid in prison. Find a point of joy—not just in good times, but even in moments that feel like setbacks. It might be learning something new about yourself, savoring a small moment of kindness, or discovering an unplanned detour.
- Don’t Mistake Delay for Defeat: The spiral staircase teaches us that not seeing immediate results does not mean you aren’t progressing. Keep climbing, even if your back is momentarily turned.
- Share and Spread Contagious Positivity: Just as one person’s joy uplifted an entire prison cell, your positive attitude can ripple outward and encourage others who may be struggling.
- Navigating the Waves: Imagine life as riding unpredictable waves. A skilled swimmer doesn’t fight the tide, but flows with it—conserving energy, gaining strength, and waiting for the opportunity to move forward. When in rough waters, remember: tides always turn.
Embracing the Spiral—A Universal Insight
The spiral staircase is a metaphor not only in Jewish thought but for anyone navigating life’s ups and downs. We all experience moments when we seem to be moving in circles or even away from our dreams. Yet with patience, perspective, and an active choice to infuse even difficult moments with joy, we can discover meaning and motivation to keep climbing.
Every revolution, every setback, and every disguised delay is an essential turn bringing you closer to where you’re meant to be. Next time discouragement sets in, remember the spiral staircase—progress may not be obvious, but every step matters.
For a deeper exploration and personal stories about navigating life’s curves, watch the full class here.
