When Success Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Calling of the Soul

At times, life can feel heavy, tired, and pointless. Sometimes this feeling shows up suddenly, but at others, it creeps in slowly and silently. It can strike even those whose lives seem perfect, who have impressive resumes, new cars parked outside penthouses, and memories of exotic vacations. Individuals who hold high positions and succeed in business may still experience a fog of dissatisfaction. Sweet pleasures lose their flavor and a quiet whisper rises: “This isn’t it.” And deep down we realize that this isn’t what we were truly searching for in life.

This moment may be fleeting or long, soft or sharp, but it delivers a painful truth: life feels empty and everything suddenly seems meaningless. We question not only our personal lives but also our national direction. Words such as “emptiness,” “lack of purpose,” “no ideals,” and “materialism” echo around us.

And yet, strangely enough, this feeling is a sign of life. It means we’re still human. A crack forms in the mask of superficial living, and behind it, deeper life stirs. Physical life begins to unravel, making way for the inner world to rise. This is the beginning of Teshuvah-  return.

The word Teshuvah often scares people. To some it may sound like retreat, like becoming a monk or giving up color and joy. To many, it suggests a dull life in the shadows, narrow and joyless. This popular image couldn’t be further from the truth however, and is a myth from outdated educational models.

True Teshuvah is actually a return to life, to joy, to inner confidence and wholeness. It’s not an escape from the world, but a rediscovery of its depth. It brings back meaning, and ironically, it renews enjoyment of the material blessings one already has.

The soul, our deepest self, is never satisfied with what the body enjoys. As we learn in Kohelet (Ecclesiastes): “The soul is never filled.” The Midrash explains that this is because the soul is “from above.” Like a commoner married to a princess, no matter how many fine meals he gives her, it’s never enough- not because she’s ungrateful, but because her needs are simply different. So too, the soul longs for what is spiritual and eternal.

This longing fuels our ambition and drive- we chase wealth, fame, power, but when we finally reach the top, the magic fades. We climb and conquer, but we’re still empty. We aim for another goal, and the cycle repeats. Eventually, we call it a “midlife crisis,” a spiritual bankruptcy, and boredom takes over.

As the sages say: the soul is from above and it therefore mocks worldly pleasures and shallow goals. No matter how advanced or sophisticated the entertainment, it can’t fill what is infinite. The soul’s true nourishment lies in the infinite- in spirit and connection to G-d.

This is where Teshuvah comes in.

Teshuvah is not withdrawal, it is a homecoming. A return to our Source. It doesn’t deny reality but transforms it. Teshuvah gives new depth to human action, reconnects daily life to divine purpose, and brings true satisfaction to the restless soul.

When you feel that sense of "enough already," Judaism says: don’t ignore it. Don’t drown it in more distraction. Hold on to it. Let it be a spark and a starting point for a deeper life. That discomfort, that question, is already the first seed of return. As Rabbi Kook wrote: “Even one small thought of Teshuvah contains within it the light of a full world.”

The month of Elul and the ten days of repentance are the annual “test drive” for the soul. It is a time to pause, to listen, to rediscover who you are, what matters, and what’s been forgotten.

Let your soul breathe again. Let your year begin with reconnection and teshuvah, that is real, joyful, and alive.