A Second Way...

We can fight our battles by screaming over telephones, calling our enemies ugly names and cursing them a hundred times in our heart. Alternatively, we can turn, twist our hearts to the heavens, cry for help and a quick, easy solution to our troubles. Mostly, this second way is the easier and better one, as the verse says, "When the Creator is pleased with a person's ways, even his enemies make peace with him." (Mishle 16.7)

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Trials...

We grow best in situations of hardships, trials. The word "trials" however, also refers to experiment, trying something new. Such trials too help us discover new aspects of ourselves, new growth, and even save us from the other type of trial. (This is true in Hebrew as well; the word nisayon means a hardship, but it also means an experiment.)

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Trials...

We grow best in situations of hardships, trials. The word "trials" however, also refers to experiment, trying something new. Such trials too help us discover new aspects of ourselves, new growth, and even save us from the other type of trial. (This is true in Hebrew as well; the word nisayon means a hardship, but it also means an experiment.)

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Whatever we are able...

Whatever we are able to do, we must do -- for we only receive our abilities that that we may use them. Moreover, only by using them can we reach lasting satisfaction and happiness. (Daas Torah, BaMidbar, B'haloscha, biurim)

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Better People...

We need to travel through life, event after event, challenge after challenge, with a single goal uppermost in our minds -- to become better people.

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No Violence...

Avoid all violence, even thoughts of violence, and empower your prayers. (Based on Iyov 16.17; Tehillim 11.5)

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Within You...

Focus on the Divine Presence. Keep this consciousness alive within you. This will protect you from all troubles and worries. (Based on Devarim 31.17)

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Divine Presence...

Focus on the Divine Presence, and as you do so, let it fill you. For together with the Divine Presence we access the source of all health, wealth, happiness, power, inspiration, charm and genius of the world.

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Boredom...

At the lower level, we blame our boredom on our surroundings. At a higher level, we understand that boredom reflects something lacking within ourselves.

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To Belong...

It's important to have a certain amount of independence. However, we need also to belong -- to the world around us, the people who fill it it, as well as to upper, heavenly worlds. It's good to belong.

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A Friendly World...

Look at others as friends, explaining away and forgiving even their worst behavior, and turn your world into a friendly world. (Based on the Torah command, you should judge your fellow citizen favorably – Shavuos 30a)

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Each Challenge...

Each challenge is another step on the ladder of our self-advancement. As such, every event should leave us the better and the richer for it. Otherwise, it fades off as a lost opportunity.

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Heart and Mind...

Focus on being loveable and making wise choices. Do all that you do with heart and mind.

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Heart and Mind...

Focus on being loveable and making wise choices. Do all that you do with heart and mind.

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The World of Thought...

Take every opportunity you have to enter the world of thought. You will be only the happier and richer for it.

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Achievements...

We get excited when we buy something big. A home improvement and even more so, a new home is important to us. Rises in salary or increased profits make us feel good about ourselves. Still, it's the steps we take to enlarge our character and personal traits that are the greatest achievements of all. (Rav Yehoshua Schwartz, Kiryat Sefer)

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Greater...

Greater than the sum total of all the good things we do in our life, is our signing and standing up for a higher ideal and a life of goodness. (Based on Malbim, Ruth 2.12)

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More...

The heavens help us. Now, let's ask for more heavenly help. The Creator is present in our lives. Now let's ask that He should be even more present in our lives.

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To Be...

It's easier for us to be who we are instead of being who we aren't. It's also more fun.

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Lower and Upper...

We live in a lower reality; we live in an upper reality. When our thoughts focus on the world around us, we live in a lower reality. When our thoughts explore the heavens, we live in a higher world. It's up to us.

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True Optimism...

An optimist believes all will work out, as he wants it to work out. A true optimist however, knows that however it works out, this too will be for his best. (Based on Brochos 60b)

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Enough...

Let's decide to look no more for outside recognition. Let's decide that it's enough to be excellent within and of ourselves.

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For Others...

Live for other people, as well as living for yourself. Thus, their success becomes your success. Their happiness becomes your happiness. (Based on VaYikra 19.18)

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