I wrote this back on October 15, 2021, but only now, on May 27, 2022, am I publishing it. And, man, has my life changed since then (for better and for worse).
"So long as the Earth exists, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." - Bereshis 8:22.
Something about that verse (and many, many, many other verses) I really like for some reason. Well, firstly, it mentions the endless cycles of seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night (I'm glad I listed them again). It mentions how those cycles will stay rotating as long as the Earth exists (and as far as I know, that's forever, on account of the world to come). I like those cycles. I like how sometimes plants don't give much food, and other times, they provide abundant food. I like how sometimes it's hot and sometimes it's cold (I prefer the cold over heat). I like how the seasons change (I much prefer the weather of autumn and winter to that of spring and summer). And finally, I like how during each day, brightness changes from very bright to pitch-black (sans "artifical" light) on account of the moving luminaries. Anyway, I like how Bereshis 8:22 mentions those cycles.
The next thing I like about that verse is that it implies that things are constantly changing, such as those four cycles. It implies that there are many constant and monotonous cycles rotating at every moment. As one who finds that life can be a bit monotonous at times, and as one who has witnessed those monotonous cycles rotate for many years now, I find that verse to be somewhat motivational.
Anyway, a third thing I notice in that verse is a hint at the prohibition of gentiles keeping a sabbath. This verse is many, many Torah chapters before the mentioning of the JEWISH laws of remembering and keeping the Sabbath, so it has something to do with gentiles. I think that this verse is partially referring to working, getting shit done, and being productive throughout those aforementioned cycles, so when it says "[those cycles] shall not cease," it's saying that work and productivity should never cease (obviously except for short periods of non-ritual rest). Finally, I believe the Talmud discussion regarding the prohibition of gentiles keeping a Sabbath is linked to this verse.
Further on the topic of the verse being about work never ceasing (for gentiles, as it's part of our purpose in the world to constantly be productive), one of the cycles mentioned is "seedtime and harvest." That has to do with farming. It has to do with planting crops and eventually (later down the cycle) reaping the benefits (by doing more farm-work). It's talking about doing work. It's talking about always being productive and trying to minimize rest periods and laziness.
Wow! I just wrote four paragraphs about such a short, seeningly simple verse! And thank God for granting me the ability to write it!