Pool of Inspiration

We live in a deep, heavenly pool. We cannot see it -- still, we use it; enjoy it; draw life-giving, empowering, happy energy from it.

Which waters fill this pool? -- Wisdom; strength; wealth and health; success and joy; the Creator Himself.

Which buckets draw waters from this well? -- Our minds.

Which barrels do we fill with these waters? Ourselves -- the more we absorb these waters, the more we are wise and strong, happy and successful.

In general, help comes to us through other people. However, these people are not the real source of our help. They are only a pipeline. Therefore, we must look to the source, that we do not forfeit its gift -- that we do not lose its energy. We must know this pool, trust in its springs, and immerse ourselves deep, deep in these waters.

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Adding Bricks

What goal may fill all our time -- occupy all our thoughts? It's the goal of becoming a great person -- a shining personality.

Every life happening requires a response -- in one way or another. A knock on the door asks us to answer the door. By answering the door, we choose to help the person knocking. By ignoring the knock, we push the intruder away. Even in quiet moments, we make choices -- do we read a magazine, do we go to sleep, do we pray.

Within the choice we make awaits the opportunity to be great. The choice we make is critical -- it decides the person we become.

In every situation, we have a choice -- one greater, one lesser. One choice adds a brick to the skyscraper we aim to become. The other bypasses the opportunity, leaving it to die.

A burning goal, a fiery desire -- one that fills all our time, that occupies all our thoughts -- helps us make a better choice.

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Obsessed

If we could be fully obsessed with one great goal, then the thought

-- That our living conditions are not ideal, wouldn't bother us.

-- That others have more than we do, wouldn't upset us.

-- That our future was uncertain, wouldn't worry us.

If we could be fully obsessed with one great goal, our complaints and regrets would simply disappear. We would shrug off the petty inconveniences and discomforts that surround us.

We need to ask then, is there a goal to which we can give ourselves -- a goal that will fill our minds?

The Torah gives us a number of targets to aim for -- a variety of goals for a variety of people, each one at a different level. All are worthwhile -- something to which we can dedicate ourselves. All can fill our mind -- keep it busy, keep it buzzing. All can grow, expand, with unlimited horizons, endless prizes.

However, none of these goals will work until we make them our goals. None will help us before we give ourselves over to them. For our survival, for our happiness, for our success, we must take on great, glorious goals.

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Heavenly Self

Hold you body still. Close your eyes. In your mind, float up -- beyond the ceiling, beyond the clouds, beyond the universe. Feel yourself leaving the heaviness of your body, of your world. Move from darkness into light. Feel your surroundings becoming brighter, clearer. Fly upwards into a greater joy, a wider love.

Now, as you advance, sense yourself approaching a space of power and energy. Experience the majesty, awe, wonder of this space. Feel the authority, beauty, glory of this center.

You penetrate partitions, and more partitions, and slowly come to a stop before a heavenly being. You look to the beauty of this face, the warmth of these eyes, and you recognize them. Whose appearance is this?

It's the one you see each time you look in a mirror. For, in the image of the Divine Creator each one of us is created (Breishis 1.27).

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Raise Yourself

Be a king or a queen. Be noble. Be gracious. Be kind and friendly. Have a generous word to say to someone -- especially someone who would like to hear a generous word. Have money to give someone -- especially someone who would like to receive money. Raise yourself beyond feelings of envy or resentment.

We often ask, "Why is the success I so want, not mine? Why am I not attracting the people I want to myself? Why do I not draw the money and promotion I want into my life?"

The reason we don't draw all we want to ourselves, is because we aren't yet the people we would like to be -- we aren't yet the people we know we can be. First, we need to be what we can be. Then, we'll enjoy the privileges and pleasures we want.

Therefore, be a king or a queen. Be noble. Be gracious. Be kind and friendly. Have a generous word to say to someone who would like to hear a generous word. Have money to give someone who would like to receive some money. Raise yourself beyond feelings of envy or resentment.

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Think

We want change in our life. We want improvements. We know it can be different, it can be better. What can we do about this?

Real change starts within us -- and our within is what we think. Moreover, our within is our real world. Therefore, we must invest in thought.

Many times, before doing a mitzva, we need to make a blessing. One reason for such a blessing is to attach our thoughts to our deeds -- to direct our action in a more real and important way. Likewise, in all spheres of life, we should attach our thoughts to our deeds. We should make our thoughts our kings, and our deeds our servants.

We want to change our lives. We can change our lives. How? With powerful, directed thought.

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Steering Wheel, Accelerator

We need to remember -- as much as we can -- that heavenly help is available to us. This enhances our ability to use it. How should we look at this heavenly help? Where may we find it?

Heavenly help is the vehicle the Creator places at our disposal. It's the Creator's gift to us, His blessing. However, we need to drive it, to ride it. We need to control its main instruments -- the steering wheel and accelerator -- our desire and ambition.

Then, this marvelous vehicle has other instruments we need to use. One is gratitude -- thankfulness, appreciation for the Creator's gift of life. Another is joy -- as a team of horses senses the moods of its driver, so heavenly help senses our moods. The more alive we are with the joy of being alive, the more alive it is in carrying us quickly to our destinations.

Finally, we need to trust in this help. We must let go and let the help, help -- give ourselves over, surrender ourselves -- and let heavenly help carry us to our every dream.

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Meditate

As you sit at home, don't just sit within the four walls of your room -- sit instead amongst beautiful fields, surround yourself with sunlit forests, deep lakes, tall mountains, fruits and flowers.

As you move from place to place, don't allow yourself to be ordinary. Feel instead, that you are dressed in exquisite clothes, rich jewels -- red carpets roll out before you, orchestras play, and the crowds applaud your steps and cover you with flowers.

As you sit to read or study, don't sit alone. Feel yourself surrounded by hundreds of students, eager to hear your explanations, enjoy your insights, laugh at your jokes. Teach them and elevate them to new planes of existence.

In all that you do, feel the heavens invigorating you, helping you, blessing your activities -- until they are heaven's own.

Be a great person. Be a great person now. Smile. Be happy. Succeed.

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