Keep Smiling ~ Self-Wealth

Pool of Inspiration

2010-03-11T08:17:00.001+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Adding Bricks

2010-03-10T07:48:00.001+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Obsessed

2010-03-09T07:55:00.001+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Heavenly Self

2010-03-08T08:57:00.000+02:00

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).

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Raise Yourself

2010-03-07T08:03:00.000+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Think

2010-03-04T08:01:00.001+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Steering Wheel, Accelerator

2010-03-03T07:48:00.000+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Meditate

2010-03-02T13:03:00.001+02:00

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.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Energy-Agent

2010-02-25T08:18:00.001+02:00

Mostly, each of us has a body that we are free to use. We want to move our heads -- we do so. We want to wiggle our toes -- we do so. We want to stand, walk, run -- we do so. What makes this all possible? -- The blood that runs through our veins.

Likewise, an energy-agent provides us with all the accomplishments, the pleasures we reach, we achieve -- an energy-agent gives us all that we have. What is this agent? It is heavenly help -- in Aramaic, siyata d'shemaya.

We need to know though, that as some people train their bodies to higher levels of ability, so we may use this heavenly help with greater or lesser skill.

A dancer teaches his body to move into difficult positions with ease and grace. A musician coaches her ear to hear a false note. A scientist prepares his mind to explore, methodically, possibilities and combinations of possibilities. Similarly, we must learn to use the heavenly help we receive with precision and polish to arrive at every type of success.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Now

2010-02-24T07:55:00.001+02:00

Your "now" is you. Your "now" is your life. The big question is can you enjoy it?

In other words, in addition to cleaning, repairing and building, in addition to sitting in dentist chairs and grinning, you need to be happy, now. This need not take away from your being a lawyer, a house mom, a financial analyst, a storeowner. You can go on building shopping malls, writing books, earning degrees, eating pizza. But you must also love your "now". For, the Creator has given you a gift -- the most Powerful, Wealthy, Intelligent force of all has handpicked a prize for you. To look down on it, reject it, is a terrible mistake -- one of the worst you can make.

On the other hand, to embrace your "now", love it, praise and thank the Creator for it, is the best investment you will ever make. It pays a thousand percent return. It brings you close to the Emperor of All and sits you on a glistening throne. It allows you to be the most powerful, popular, wealthy, intelligent person who ever lived.

So say thank you, smile and be happy, now!

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Thank-you, thank-you

2010-02-23T08:05:00.000+02:00

Try this mantra during your day, "Thank-you, thank-you, please, please".

As you say thank you, think of all the wonderful elements of your life for which you are grateful. As your say please, think of all you still would like. The Creator is as close to us as we are to Him (Tehillim 145.18).

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Digesting

2010-02-22T08:02:00.000+02:00

The best motorcar is one that produces the most power, while burning the least fuel. It's the same for us...

We eat and drink for energy. However, the food itself is not energy. Our digestive system needs to convert our food into power. Ideally, we should burn all the food we consume -- producing maximum energy and minimal waste. In this way, our bodies glow with health, fitness and beauty. However, when our system doesn't work as it could -- we eat a lot, put on weight, spend much time in the bathroom, and have little strength. This leaves us weak and flabby. We need therefore, to doctor our bodies that they may serve us properly.

This idea applies not only to eating, but to every aspect of living.

We take much from our world -- goods and services, homes and holidays. Also, we enjoy many life experiences -- at work, at study, even at play.

The question is then: How much of what we take do we convert into something useful, inspiring, and how much do we waste? How much of what we consume enriches our world, and how much simply dies?

Therefore, we need to adapt, to improvise. We need to think originally. We must want to help others. We must want to create what is more beautiful, more pleasurable. We must make ourselves a "digestive system" that will help us become people who are not only healthy, fit and beautiful -- but also, great.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Kapara

2010-02-18T08:01:00.001+02:00

Your favorite lamp broke? You drove your car into a lamppost? The heating system stopped working? Your boss chewed you out? Call it a kapara -- an atonement for one of your wrongs, a carelessness you showed towards the Creator -- and have a great day.

Have a great day. Have a great day. Have a great day. Have a great day.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Don't Compete

2010-02-17T07:57:00.001+02:00

Don't compete - others are you, your team. In the larger sense, everything around you is you, the larger you. Those who are more than you are; those who are less; even those who, superficially, stand at your life-station -- all are a part of the greater you.

See their genius, anything they produce, any way they enhance the world, as something you started -- a wish you expressed, a hope you nurtured -- that this world should be a better place.

Likewise, see their act of spoiling, destroying, as being something you began. Some laziness, some sadness soured your face, robbed you of the gleam in your eye and the brightness of your smile, and this brought the pollution, the devastation around you.

The whole creation is in your hands. Take it. Make it into something beautiful, something you and others will enjoy. Be a happy and positive, singing and dancing world.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

It Depends on Us

2010-02-16T07:47:00.000+02:00

It depends on us -- us and only us. We are the ones who can change anything, who can improve the world around us. We may need the Creator's help to accomplish anything, but His help is here. We must simply ask for it.

It depends on us. We have to make it happen. The Creator will help us, but we must make the first move, we must take the first step. It cannot be another way. We have to look for it to happen. We have to ask for it to happen. Then it can happen.

We need to move first. We must make one move, then another, then another. This is sometimes the hardest part -- the resistance that faces us before we take that move. But if we'll ignore our reluctance, if we'll take the initiative, the resistance will fade from before us.

We can make it happen -- now. All we need is to do it -- now!

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Soaring

2010-02-15T08:03:00.000+02:00

We need to be careful not to attach our thoughts to material objects. Our fascination with them prevents us from soaring to higher planes of consciousness, in this world, and the next (heard from Rav Amatzya Yakovzon, shlita).

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Good Story

2010-02-12T08:00:00.000+02:00

The body of every good story is the courage and determination that the hero displays in the face of difficulty and challenge. This then should be the focus of our lives, to meet our life situation with greatness.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Results

2010-02-11T08:18:00.001+02:00

Whatever has happened until now doesn't really matter. Whatever will yet happen in the future also doesn't matter. Only one thing counts: what we say, do and think now.

Our yesterday is a background against which we conduct ourselves today. This background consists of successes and failures, excitements and disappointments. All this the Creator creates as our springboard -- a springboard to launch us towards happiness and success. Specifically, the past we lived through and experienced, is what allows our accomplishment and achievement to be the greater. Thus, there's no reason to worry over it.

The future is also something that shouldn't trouble us. What we do now decides what we deserve to receive -- and what we deserve to receive, we will receive. Good, powerful acts lead to good, powerful results. Poor, weak acts lead to poor, weak results. We simply need to DO the best we can right now, BE the best we can right now -- and KNOW that this will lead to our ultimate satisfaction.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Excited

2010-02-10T08:03:00.000+02:00

Here is advice worth repeating to ourselves:

One: be happy, excited, enthusiastic about all you do. Do it with a smile, a giggle, a laugh. Do it as a super-fun, new, interesting activity. Be captivated, fascinated. Let your eyes glitter. Rub your hands. Laugh again, just for fun. This is it -- a long-awaited treat, a slot machine pouring out glittering gold, a supersonic ride on a cloud, stars shining bright on white snow, a slide down a rainbow. This attitude has to affect others, and it has to affect you -- for your success, for your joy.

Two: be especially happy, excited, enthusiastic when you do a holy duty. When you stand up to pray, to praise, thank, plead with the Creator; when you help another, giving your time and money to enrich someone else; when you sit in a class, in front of a Torah text to learn, absorb, internalize the Creator's word, do it with a smile, a giggle, a laugh. Do it as though it was super-fun, new, interesting. Be captivated, fascinated. Let your eyes glitter. Rub your hands. Laugh again. This is it -- a long awaited treat, a slot machine pouring out heavenly gold, a supersonic ride through the solar system, sun shining bright on white wool, a shower of heaven's blessings. This attitude has to affect others, and it has to affect you -- for your future, and for your present.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Love Life

2010-02-09T07:56:00.001+02:00

How ready are you to give away a year of your life, or even month? How about a week, a day? How about 10 minutes?

Unless we know of some magnificent, vital cause, we won't give away even five seconds of the life the Creator gives us. Isn't it a puzzle then, how we allow days, weeks, months and even years to slip by, while we continue simply to exist -- to survive as unfulfilled, empty beings?

Passive, tired, unenthusiastic living is a form of death. How much of our precious time do we lose to such an approach, to such an attitude? We need, instead, to gallop through our days like horses of fire. Our hearts need to burn with passion -- a passion for life. To think actively -- to speak with purpose -- to move positively towards shining goals -- this is life.

To love life is to love the Creator. To love life is to live as the Creator wishes us to live. To love life -- every second of it -- is to fulfill ourselves -- and to win.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

As a Director

2010-02-08T08:07:00.002+02:00

We can live our lives as a director directs his movie -- looking to enhance each scene with more emotion, feeling, turning every moment into something special, such that the audience walks away with new inspiration.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Castles

2010-02-04T08:07:00.000+02:00

With each slap of wet sand, the child's sandcastle grows greater, swells grander. Its walls become thicker. Its towers become taller. Now, if that child will keep at his work -- not losing concentration, not pausing in his labors -- how awesome that castle will be.

We too build a castle with our daily activities. Every action we do, every word we speak, every thought we think, is another slap of wet sand against its walls. Positive activities make our towers larger and taller. Negative activities make them smaller.

What is our castle? It is the person we become. It is our stature, our power, our wisdom. It is our confidence and serenity, our enthusiasm, our passion -- the joy of life that shines from us. The greater our castle, the more pleasure we have from ourselves, and from others.

We need to know our castle. We need to focus on it. For, the more we focus on it, the better it comes out. We look at our project, and we become excited about it. And in our excitement, in our eagerness, we build it faster and more beautiful than ever before.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Hosting

2010-02-03T08:19:00.000+02:00

When we make a party -- for a special occasion or no reason at all -- we want it to be fun; we want the food to be tasty; the setting to be attractive, our guests to enjoy themselves.

This only happens, though, with preparation and hard work. We need to buy food, peel, slice and roast it. We need to set out dishes and serve them. We need to sweep and scrub. We need to rearrange tables and chairs. We need to fill balloons. We need to think and plan that our guests should have a wonderful time.

Then there's something else -- something that seemingly needs little preparation. Just as we want our guests to enjoy the party, so we want them to enjoy us. For this, we need a sunny smile, lively eyes, sympathetic ears, and a real desire to make them happy. Isn't this part simple? Yes and no -- think about it. Here are some questions that can help:

One: Do we want to be such a person only when we're at that party, or all year round?

Two: If we're not such a person all year around, do we think we'll fool others for those few hours of our party?

Three: If it does pay to be such a person continually, doesn't this need some study, understanding and training? Doesn't it take some effort?

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Do What You Like

2010-02-02T07:53:00.001+02:00

Here is an awesome key to success: Do what you are best at doing, and leave the rest to the Creator.

For example, imagine that you are a good cook. Even though you live in a world that doesn't want cooks -- in a world where food is mass-produced -- in a world that's full of good cooks -- ignore all this. Don't look for a different occupation -- especially when it's something you don't like doing -- especially when it's something you are not good at doing. Just cook. Find someone, somewhere, who will give you something for your labors. Then work to the best of your ability. And what of the future? Don't worry. Leave it to the Creator.

This doesn't mean that you don't have to work hard. In addition to doing what you are best at doing, you need to do your best. Also, doing what you enjoy doesn't mean that all will be easy and smooth. You will face tests -- you will confront difficulties. But you'll be the richer for one vital reason -- you'll be doing what you are most happy doing. As for the rest -- with a little thought and a little faith -- you will see that the Creator does it for you.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Small is Better

2010-02-01T08:11:00.001+02:00

Sometimes to be small is better than to be large, to be weak rather than strong, to be poor rather than rich. For, when we are small, weak and poor, we understand more easily, what it is to turn to the Creator and request His help.*

-------------------------------------------------
*Based on Rav Moshe Shapiro's explanation of the thanks we add to our prayer over Chanuka

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

With Joy

2010-01-31T07:56:00.000+02:00

See a bright future -- a sparkling tomorrow, a sunny next week, next year. Be happy about your future. Be happy about your present. Be happy.

Let life be a wedding -- be the bride and the groom. Feel giddy with gladness, with happiness. Today is the best day of your life.

Invest in brightness, contentment. Invest in the world's song. Give yourself to it. Give your thoughts and time to it. Enjoy being alive. Enjoy your now.

Be happily busy. Fix what you need to fix, go where you need to go, speak to whom you need to speak, with joy. It's awesome, wonderful, marvelous to be alive.

Say it again, with sincerity, with heart: it's awesome, wonderful, marvelous to be alive.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Resilient

2010-01-29T07:46:00.001+02:00

A manufacturer takes pride in his product's ability to stand up to all types of adverse conditions without breaking down. We should likewise rejoice at the idea of being able to stand up to all types of problems and setbacks, keeping a smile on our face and in our hearts, and not breaking down.*

*The Talmud teaches that ideally we should "rejoice in sufferings" - Shabbos 88b

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

First Class

2010-01-28T08:05:00.000+02:00

Look at two people at an international airport: one with a large set of matching luggage -- trunks, suitcases, satchels, hatboxes, etc., the other with no more than a small bag. Certainly, the first seems to be wealthier, luckier, happier. But appearances are deceiving. For, the second person, the person with no more than a bag, may be traveling from one luxury house to another -- a palace where he need not take even a toothbrush. Both his homes contain full sets of clothing and every other item, large or small, that he might possibly need.

How can we know if this is so? Let's see how he travels. If he sits in first-class, then our assumption must be true.

Similarly, there are people who need much luggage to travel through life. Otherwise, they feel they are lacking, unfortunate, unhappy. Then there are the people who live with little. Are these the richer or the poorer? It depends on how they travel. If they travel first-class -- if there lives are full, satisfying, happy -- if they keep smiling no matter what happens -- then we must say that they are wealthy. We must say that they are the richer of the two.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Something Special

2010-01-27T08:06:00.001+02:00

Do you have something special to smell -- a rose, clean laundry, tasty food, fresh air? Breathe it in. Enjoy it. Say "What a great moment. What a wonderful life."

Look around you. Notice the colors of your surroundings. Notice the shapes. Notice the movement -- the branch that sways in the wind, the bird that hops on the windowsill, the rain that sprinkles the grass. Drink in the beauty. Enjoy it. Say "What a stunning world. What an awesome life."

Listen to the noises of the moment -- rumbling thunder, rumbling traffic, soft chatter, music. Feel the fabrics within your reach -- cool metal, soft wool, shiny plastic, rough rug. Soak in your surroundings. Enjoy being alive. Say "What special gifts the Creator gives me."

Make an effort to be happy each day, each hour. Make an effort to be happy, now.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Passion

2010-01-26T07:47:00.002+02:00

We need to hide our passion.

Without passion, we do not accomplish much. We may go through the motions of building, doing -- but the results are shabby, sloppy. To act with passion, however, is to act with "all your heart, all your life, and all your resources" (Devarim 6.4). Only magnificent efforts lead to magnificent results.

On the other hand, when we act with open passion, we upset others. We arouse their jealousy, their resentment. We cause them to jeer us, condemn us, even throw us into jail. This, in turn, discourages us, and dampens our eagerness.

Therefore, we must hide the passion.

"But," you may ask, "If I hide my passion, how will I inspire others to great deeds?"

The wonderful thing about passion is that even when hidden, it still glows - it still shines through. Its glimmer is strong enough to attract just those people we need to influence and encourage.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nothing Other

2010-01-25T08:12:00.000+02:00

Even if we have nothing other than the Creator helping us through our lives, we have a fortune. For, as He has helped us from birth to this day, so we can well hope He will help us through to the end as well.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

A Favorite Friend

2010-01-21T08:00:00.002+02:00

If a favorite friend gave you a gift -- a gift that cost him thought and time, effort and money -- you would be grateful. Even if you did not understand this gift, even if it did not suit your tastes, still you would thank him. You wouldn't want to injure his feelings.

We must do no less then with the gift of life -- the gift the Creator extends to us. We may not understand this gift -- it may not suit our tastes -- still, we say thank you. We don't want to injure the Creator's "feelings".

Moreover -- we must know -- that if the Creator himself -- the billionaire of all billionaires, the Creator of all creators, the Genius of all geniuses, the Kindness of all kindness, the Love of all love -- gives us this gift, it must contain great value. There must be a prize beyond what we realize -- a worth beyond what we know buried in this gift. We need to unlock its secret -- its excitement and greatness -- and find the treasure of life.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Enjoy Others

2010-01-20T08:26:00.001+02:00

Look at the children playing in the garden. Doesn't this give you pleasure? Surely, you can delight in their beauty, their simplicity? Surely, you can enjoy their laughter, their fun?

Look at old people, resting in their places. See worn hands resting on shining walking sticks. See lived-in faces with deep, warm eyes staring into the distance, gazing into an uncertain future. Surely, you could hug such a person?

So far, the exercise has been easy. Now, let's take it one more step.

Start looking at all people in a new way, in a happy way. Some of them dress well, others are a little shabby; some are handsome, others are quite plain; some are easy to talk to, others are distant. Still, we can enjoy them all. We can take pleasure in their presence. We can see them as our friends, and wish them happiness and success.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Food and Clothing

2010-01-19T07:51:00.000+02:00

Do you have a food to eat? Yes? So, be happy. Do you have clothes to wear? Yes? So, be happy. Can you breathe? Yes? So, be happy. Are you alive? Yes? So, be happy.

That's it. We really need no more. If we can focus on what we have -- no matter how little it is -- we can stop complaining, and just be happy.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

According to his Praises

2010-01-18T08:08:00.001+02:00

"A person is who his praises" (Mishle 27.21). What we admire, speak about and praise defines our inner self. When we praise the rich and mighty, we understand that these are our true aspirations. When we praise those who do good and help others, this reveals our true self (Shaarei Teshuva 3.148). Accordingly, we remake ourselves when we change who we praise -- who we take an interest in, think about and admire.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Shining Sun

2010-01-14T07:56:00.000+02:00

My lover, my sweetheart, has a gift for me. He has hidden it just around the corner. He is waiting for something -- a smile maybe, or a laugh, for me to clap my hands in joy, in anticipation. Then he will produce his gift.

The Creator is our lover, our sweetheart. He wants us to enjoy the life He gives us -- as it is. Moreover, He has a special gift. He has hidden it just around the corner. He is waiting for something -- a smile maybe, or a laugh, for us to clap our hands in joy, in anticipation. Then He will produce His gift.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Switch

2010-01-13T08:47:00.000+02:00

How easily can we switch from one world to another? How smoothly can we exchange our noisy, busy environment, for a world of tranquil thoughts, a setting of serenity and light, calm and peace?

Often, we are guilty of spoiling even our quietest moments. We turn our attentions to the news or sports events, to music, eating, running around, shopping, traveling. Even the moments we give to prayer, we interrupt with noisy images and ideas. Thus, we turn away from the world of the spirit.

We need to look however, to do the opposite. We need to interrupt our hectic schedules, our mad activity, and give a moment to the heavens. We need to pause in the middle of the noise, and reconnect to the Creator -- to the power of the world, to eternity. In this way, we draw success into our days.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

The Happiest Thought

2010-01-12T07:50:00.001+02:00

What is the happiest thought in the world? It's "the Creator".

The first tendency -- for most of us -- is to say "ice-cream". For, as children, this truly was a very happy thought. And since, mostly, we don't mature as we should mature -- and we don't think as we should think -- we remain with our childish perceptions.

Even if we don't think "ice-cream", how far have we advanced? In other words, if our happiest thought is a wedding, a sports car, good looks and dollars, this is still small. These items, while they provide us some pleasure, some exhilaration, do not really make us happy -- not in a meaningful way, not in a lasting way.

So the real answer is the Creator. For, only the Creator is forever, and only the Creator is safe. He gives us life; daily opportunities to grow and be great. He watches us, and ultimately gathers us to Himself. He is our beginning, middle and end. He is everything we have and anything we ever will have.

Moreover, the more we look to the Creator -- with trust, with hope -- the easier we may access the happiness He has to give us.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nothing

2010-01-11T08:00:00.000+02:00

Try out this thought: In reality, we do nothing, absolutely nothing. The Creator does it all for us, (making it simply appear that we have a hand in the process). However, we can want to do, long to do, strive and pray to do, and the more we want it, the stronger our desire, our trust, belief and clarity of thought, the sooner we reach our every dream.*

*"Along the path a person wishes to go, heavenly forces lead him", Makkos 10b, even without him doing anything!

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Special Key

2010-01-07T08:02:00.000+02:00

Happy events make us happy. Isn't this a simple idea? -- No, not at all.

Happy events make for happy thoughts, and happy thoughts make us happy. We anticipate something special, something glorious, something exciting and funny, and we are happy. Conversely, we do not think thoughts that are sad, bad, scary, and we are not unhappy.

Accordingly, we shouldn't need happy events to make us happy. We should just need happy thoughts. To rely on happy events is a weakness.

Still, to be happy without outside help is something most of us don't know how to do. Unhappy events do sadden us. We must know, though, that we can change ourselves, we can work on ourselves. And in working on ourselves and improving our ability to think happy thoughts, we will find a special key to happiness.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Today's Gift

2010-01-06T07:49:00.000+02:00

Each day, The Creator sends us another gift -- a different gift to the one He sent us yesterday. If we missed yesterday's gift, we may still enjoy today's gift -- but what was yesterday is gone. Each day is special.

More important, however, is how we unwrap this gift, how we access this gift, how we make it ours fully. For this, we need to know the combination, the hidden code that unlocks our gift.

What is this code? I don't know. Worse -- as with the best security firms -- this code changes daily. Yesterday's combination won't work today.

What then should we do? We must think. We must think, long and deep. We must penetrate our own hearts. Only within ourselves may we find the magical key.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

High Expectations

2010-01-05T08:02:00.000+02:00

"If you see a generation that loves Torah knowledge, go teach them. If you don't see such a generation, stay at home."[1] One idea from this teaching is that much depends on how we see our world.

To a large degree, people respond to us as we expect them to respond. Our excitement or lack of excitement, our happiness or lack of happiness, affects them.

At the same time -- and the other way round -- how we expect them to act or react affects us. Our anticipation or apprehension affects our excitement, our happiness, and therefore, the way we speak to them.

In other words, our attitude influences their reaction, while their reaction -- or how we think they will react -- decides our attitude.

Which comes first? -- Obviously, our expectations. All depends on how we "see" our world. So, we should try always to see happiness and success approaching us.

Now, to set our expectations too high is no good. Our skeptical side doesn't accept ridiculous hope and won't work with it. But, if we are too "realistic", this is twice as bad. It leads to folded arms, despair, and gloom. We must expect the best we plausibly can expect – and then go out and achieve it.

[1] Brochos 63a

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Right Thoughts

2010-01-04T08:18:00.001+02:00

Thinking the right thoughts can comfort our bodies in their pain. But when our thoughts are upset, our bodies cannot comfort them (Rabbeinu Yona, Mishle 3.7). Therefore, we must strive to straighten our thoughts.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Live Life

2009-12-31T07:59:00.001+02:00

The words "live" and "love" are so close to each other. Surely, this can inspire us in some way.

We give ourselves to those we love. We give our time, our thoughts, our money. We give our all. That which we love, we know, is a part of our self -- and we give ourselves to ourselves.

This, then, should be the key to living, the thrust of our lives. We need to give ourselves to our lives. We need to give our all -- our time, our thoughts and money -- to being who we are. We need to love our every day, and not hold back. We need to love our every day with all our love.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

10 Minutes

2009-12-30T07:54:00.000+02:00

Here is an amazing tool to boost the quality of living:

Imagine you have no more than 10 minutes left to live. Imagine that in another 10 minutes you will leave this material world for the world of the spirit, for the world of truth.

Obviously, in such a short time, you can't suddenly climb a mountain, fight a tiger or write your biography. What you can do though, is invest the activity you are doing right now with quality, richness -- a joy and appreciation you haven't experienced before. Color this moment with love. Sing into it a sense of marvel, a sense of awe.

Live and really live, now -- with every part of your whole. Live and really live now -- be happy, and succeed.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Happy Thoughts

2009-12-29T07:54:00.000+02:00

Imagine stepping out of a chauffeured limousine. Visualize yourself standing before a beautiful house, encircled by glorious, green gardens. You walk up to the heavy, wooden door and before you reach it, it swings open to you, revealing smiling faces that greet you, that are pleased to see you. You step into a comfortable room, into happy living, and you feel like… You are as happy as… You are more satisfied than…

The above picture can put you -- the entire you -- into a wonderful mood. Aah, this is living -- this is it!

Now, can you create this mood within yourself, without the outside trappings? Can you think thoughts that trigger such a frame of mind? If you can, this is good, excellent -- better than all the limousines, mansions, luxuries and comforts. For, to create such a mood within you is, in truth, to have it all.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Rejoice and Celebrate

2009-12-28T08:13:00.001+02:00

The more we rejoice and celebrate the heavenly help we receive, the more heavenly help we will receive. (Based on Tehillim 20.6)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Stay Happy

2009-12-24T08:09:00.001+02:00

You don't need much time, or even roses, to smell the roses. There must be something within arm's reach, something near for you to enjoy, to appreciate. If not a material object, then an idea, a concept. Look at it. Focus on it. Make yourself a moment of happiness. Such an attitude, then, lights up not only this moment, but other moments as well.

We need to create a mind-set where our happiness doesn't depend on any happening, person or object. Whether the sky shines or rains, whether others are nice or nasty, whether we get the job or lose it -- we stay happy.

Can we be happy when "everything goes wrong"? We need to look not to what is -- but rather, to what is right. We have to focus on the positive. We have to paint our faces with a smile. Then, as we do what we can, the world will follow our bright, sunny example, and do the rest.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Flower Garden

2009-12-23T07:52:00.002+02:00

Many thoughts fly through our heads each day, but we choose which ones to focus on and which ones to ignore. This choice affects all that we are...

We may be in the ideal setting, surrounded by beautiful articles -- yet we can choose to think negative, black thoughts. What then happens? These thoughts become a fire. We breathe life into them and they grow -- they become great and strong, and envelop our whole being. Instead of enjoying all we have, we become depressed, bitter, angry. We fume. We are furious.

Our victory and achievement lies in reversing this scenario -- completely.

In other words, even if we are in a terrible situation, surrounded by ugliness, we may choose to focus on something positive, something enjoyable. Then, we may extend this focus -- we may fill our being with it -- and turn our day into a flower garden of contentment and happiness.

To possess such ability, such a tool, is a power -- a gift. The Creator, in His kindness, strives to teach us this ability. He gives us every opportunity to acquire this skill.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Wealth

2009-12-21T08:07:00.001+02:00

Wealthy people surround themselves with beauty -- beautiful homes, beautiful gardens, beautiful furnishings, even beautiful happenings. We can have this as well. When we train ourselves to recognize the beauty that surrounds our everyday, we are as wealthy as they are.

Moreover, since wealthy people often fail to acknowledge the beauty around them, we -- with our appreciation for all we have - are richer than they are.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

It Depends

2009-12-17T08:52:00.000+02:00

What would you rather be: wise, or happy?

There is a certain bliss in being ignorant -- "with more wisdom is more anger, and he who gains knowledge, hurts more." (Koheles 1.18) For instance, can we enjoy our children when we know they must die? Can we enjoy our wealth, our health, when we see it diminish? Can we enjoy life when we envision calamity, tragedy, lurking on each corner, waiting at every turn? (Ibn Ezra, there)

Still, this applies only to the wisdom, the technology and philosophy of a finite world, a world that rusts, rots, dies. Higher wisdom however, knows that the soul is infinite, that there is life after life -- that the Creator rules all, with justice, with mercy. Such knowledge leads us to joy.

To be happy we need true wisdom, true perception. And to achieve this we must strive to do good, great acts and to please the Creator. For, "to the person He regards as worthy, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness." (Koheles 2.26)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Complaint

2009-12-16T08:14:00.000+02:00

A great rule of happiness is: never complain. Do not complain to others -- not friends, not family. Do not complain to the Creator. Do not complain to yourself -- even in your thoughts.

To complain gives us a certain pleasure. However, the loss from complaining outweighs any gain. For to complain is to say that we are unhappy -- and when we are unhappy, we can't be happy. Moreover, when we complain we enlarge the reason for the complaint -- we give it extra strength to hurt us. We empower it to possess us.

But when we look for the good in our situation, when we take pleasure in our situation, we attribute an extra pleasure to the world -- and an extra pleasure to its Creator. In this way, the source for our complaint helps us appreciate the beauty of our lives. It opens a door to all that we hope for, and all that we dream.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-12-15T08:11:00.000+02:00

In general, Torah study increases our watchfulness. However, specifically meditating on stories and sayings of our sages that speak of the importance of our service and the far-reaching consequences of our smallest failures teach us to be careful.

Three attitudes motivate us to monitor our thoughts, words and actions. They are, in order of importance, (1) to strive for a whole achievement, (2) to seek respect, and (3) to avoid discomfort and pain.

To strive for a whole achievement
We long to do our best in a full and focused way. Thus, we worry and feel embarrassed that we will overlook or fail to do something we could have easily done.

To seek respect
We realize that the more we reach for and accomplish, the higher will be our standing in the world of truth, a world where all that counts is what we have done with our lives.

This motivation is most powerful. When we perceive that to keep pace with our friends and not fall behind those who are "less than us" is all-necessary, we embarrass ourselves into fulfilling our potential.

In addition, we know that our ability to accomplish and accumulate good deeds, a correct life-outlook and wisdom is limited. What we don't do before we die, we lose forever.

To avoid discomfort and pain
We realize that the heavenly courts will judge our lives to the smallest detail with precision, rewarding and punishing us exactly. Thus, we will strive to fulfill our duty that we may receive our full reward and not suffer any hurt.

The greater we become, the greater our potential to do still more, and the greater our influence and responsibility. The Torah records how the greatest personalities received heavy punishments for what we might regard as small mistakes. This teaches us to watch even our lightest actions and words. (See Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 4, for examples.)

Never say this act or this moment isn't important, for when we give up on the details of our life, we give up our lives. (Baba Kama 50a)

The heavens judge us strictly, as well as with mercy. They judge us strictly. We need to pay the full price for even the smallest wrong. However, they also judge us with mercy. How so?

We receive time in which to repair the damage we have done.

When the punishment does come, it does not destroy us, allowing us room to make changes.

When we think over and regret our sin, resolving not to repeat them, we become as new people. Our change of heart makes it as though we never committed this sin in the first place. Moreover, at times the heavens may regard the smallest change we make as a full repair.

When we correct our ways, we wipe away the punishment that awaited our old selves. Thus, we can receive both justice and mercy. This is only possible however, when we open our eyes and monitor our actions. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 4)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Thinking about Others

2009-12-14T08:09:00.001+02:00

Kindness starts with thinking about others. Let's start in just this way. Pick a person, any person, and start thinking about what he needs, what we can do to enrich him, boost him, how can we change his life. With continuous thought, ideas will flow into our heads, and we will find a way to make a real change in his life. (Rabbeinu Yona, Mishle 2.1)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

By Yourself

2009-12-10T08:44:00.000+02:00

What would you rather be: popular or happy?

Normally, a happy person does attract friends, but not always. Many times, he must perform all sorts of tricks to gain laughs, hugs, backslaps. Now, to bring joy to others is an act of kindness, but this is not what we really look for. Our baser nature does not seek to give. Rather, it wants the pleasure, the thrill of receiving admiration, applause and love from others.

We need to remember, though, that being popular makes us happy only for a while. For, the animal we call our ego is insatiable -- we cannot feed him enough. As much as he consumes, he wants more, he demands more, endlessly.

Therefore, we should separate our happiness from our popularity. Our good mood should not depend on how loved or hated we are. We need to be joyous without outside help. Then, when an opportunity to be nice to others, to give pleasure to others comes along, we will perform this without waiting for praise and a pat on the back.

We must be happy, no matter our situation. And if the heavens see fit to have others like us, admire us, love us, we will accept the gift gracefully. We will say thank you.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

A Suit

2009-12-09T07:57:00.001+02:00

If I could offer you a suit that was stylish and elegant, and would make you more beautiful than you already are, surely you would want it. Especially, if I added, that it protects you from harmful influences -- similar to a bulletproof vest -- and only costs very little.

Unfortunately, though, I cannot sell you this suit -- for it's a suit you already have. What suit is this? It's your ability to be happy.

Be happy, and you wrap yourself in style and elegance. How can this be so? For happiness is beyond all style, beyond all elegance. Even the wealthiest, most famous, must strive daily to be happy.

Be happy, and be beautiful. Surely, everyone agrees with this.

Be happy, and forget your worries. For happiness stops the calamities of life from hurting you, from crushing you. Moreover, happiness draws the Divine Presence, into you and protects you, even from physical dangers.

Now, to be happy may not mean that you can be careless. Still, you can be carefree. Be happy, and move through life with confidence and flair.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-12-08T07:52:00.001+02:00

Our every action carries elements of profit and loss. We need to assess each one. Does the profit outweigh the loss -- is it a good proposition? Alternatively, does the loss outweigh the profit -- is it a poor proposition?

Without proper thought and evaluation, we make two mistakes. (1) We don't notice the pitfalls lying along our route. (2) We mistake what is bad for what is good, and what is good for what is bad.

We need a guide, someone who has already reached the destination we need to reach. He can advise and coach us on the right steps to take.

Only with awareness and thoughtfulness, can we be sure that we make the best choices we can. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 3)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

A Whole World

2009-12-07T08:36:00.002+02:00

Our inner world is a whole world. With a trust in the Creator, hoping in His help and salvation, focusing on His unfathomable power, and uncovering the world's beauty, we have everything we could ever want. Why then do we look outside of ourselves for support and encouragement? -- Because we have not yet realized our full intellectual ability to grasp the perfection and richness of our inner world.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Invest Wisely

2009-12-03T08:28:00.000+02:00

"What would you rather be: rich or happy?"

"One minute," you'll ask, "can't I be rich and happy?"

"You're right. So let's rephrase the question. What would you rather be: rich and miserable, or poor and happy?"

"Obviously," you'll say, "no one wants to be miserable. What are you saying?"

"Firstly, I am saying, there are people who choose to be rich and miserable.

"But more importantly, we should note, that just as we are ready to put effort -- thought and even money -- to enrich ourselves, so we should be ready to put effort -- thought and even money -- to be happy. Happiness is not free. We have to work to achieve it. We may strive to enrich ourselves -- but we must also strive to be happy. This is the first point.

Now, next the question is, what would you rather be, spiritually rich, or just happy? Would you rather be a lofty personality, an important supporter of communal causes, or simply happy living in this world?

This question however, contains a mistake. For, there is no such thing as spiritual growth without being happy. Even a prophet cannot receive prophecy unless he is happy.[1] To make progress, real progress, we must be joyous.

Moreover, and all the more so, our sages teach that a mitzva done once in pain, with effort, is worth a hundred done without pain, without effort.[2] And since it costs us effort to be happy, it follows that a mitzva done with joy is worth a hundred times more than a mitzva done without joy. To be rich, we must be happy.

-------------------
[1] Shabbos 30b; Rashi, Breishis 45.27
[2] Michtav M'Eliyahu, Vol.3 p.14; Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 3; see also Shir HaShirim Raba 8.14

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

One Solution

2009-12-02T08:19:00.000+02:00

We have two problems. One solution solves them both.

We have two problems. One, the things around us we don't like -- the details that litter, hurt and scar us, that stop us enjoying life in a full way. Two, the good things of life we feel we should have -- the possessions, friends, recognition we want, that remain so far away.

The solution to both problems is one. We need to see that life gives us exactly what we deserve. Our surroundings -- people, things, events -- reflect who we are, what we are right now, in relation to what we could be in the future. Accordingly, as we work on ourselves, as we improve ourselves, that which is ugly begins to disappear, while that which is beautiful begins to enter.

How can you know that this idea works? Taste it; try it. Once you have been on a path of intentional/unintentional self-improvement for two, four, ten years, you'll know that life does get better.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-12-01T07:57:00.002+02:00

We need to ask of our future, present and past actions, Are they good? Should we do them? Are they bad? Should we avoid them? And when they're bad, what precautions can we take to protect us from repeating them?

Even of actions that are good, we must ask ourselves, are they all good? Do they include details that that we need to exclude?

An accounting team will assess the health of a business. This is vital to its success. Likewise, we need to assess our habits, attributes and actions. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 3)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Praying and Working

2009-11-30T01:53:00.000+02:00

We should think of ourselves as ultimately wealthy, possessing limitless funds, good health, strength, wisdom, etc. Why then do we lack so much? Why then do we suffer all that we so need? There are two reasons...

1) That we strive more to come closer to the Creator.

2) That we may sensitize ourselves to the suffering of others, and train ourselves to pray and work for them as well.

Combining these two ideas, we should be praying and working that our entire community should come closer to the Creator.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Radiate

2009-11-26T08:03:00.001+02:00

Be a sun -- not a pale sun, but a bright sun, a warm sun, a friendly sun. Be a sun -- not a weak sun, but a handsome sun, a beautiful sun, a majestic, magnificent sun. Radiate light and energy. Radiate joy, the love of life. Radiate optimism. Look forward to an exciting, wonderful future.

But to succeed as suns, we must fulfill two conditions:

(1) We must remember that the Creator is the source of our energy. From Him we draw the inspiration we need to glow, to shine. Therefore, we must keep our connection to the Creator alive and healthy.

(2) We must be surface-level kings, but not actual kings. Only the Creator is king.
As the Creator's representatives, we may live in palaces, surrounded by beautiful objects, surrounded by servants. Still, we are not the King himself. We only represent Him -- His power, majesty, goodness. As for true power, majesty and goodness -- these are with the Creator.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Lessons

2009-11-25T08:04:00.001+02:00

We need to appreciate our lives to enjoy our lives. But can we appreciate what is unpleasant? Can we attach value to what is painful? Can we be excited over what hurts us? Yes -- if we learn to see and know the Creator.

The highest pleasure is to see the Creator, to know the Creator. But to see or know the Creator requires special sensitivity -- it requires learning. We need to learn about life, about the different forces that inspire and invigorate our world.

Therefore, to learn must be important to us. It must be precious to us. If we don't use our opportunity to learn -- if we disregard it -- we walk away from happiness.

Sometimes, learning is difficult and unpleasant. Sometimes it's painful. In some way, our lessons hurt us -- wound us. Still, we need to appreciate and value these lessons. We even need to enjoy them. For only through them may we reach what we want.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-11-24T07:48:00.001+02:00

Negative forces distract us from thinking through our life situation. Nevertheless, when we overcome our natural sloppiness, thinking out and planning our actions, we merit heavenly rescue. (Moed Katon 5a)

With thought, we can tackle our highest dreams. The Creator will help us to reach them. However, when we refuse to think, we lose it all. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter Two)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Gratitude

2009-11-23T08:13:00.000+02:00

For most of us, everything we had yesterday, we woke this morning to find it ours (with a few small changes). However, we could just as well, have woken to find that we have nothing, not even the strength to get out of bed. This alone should fill us with great feelings of gratitude.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Perfume

2009-11-19T08:04:00.002+02:00

"At all times, wear white; don't be without perfume in your hair." (Koheles 9.8)

Imagine -- a person is invited to feast with the king. The invitation however, does not mention any date or time. All it says is that the king's servants will arrive to escort him. If this person is wise, he will bathe himself, dress in his best and be ready at all times -- after all, he doesn't want to forfeit this platinum opportunity. If he is a fool however, he will ridicule such an invitation, and ignore it.

Our every minute is important -- still, some moments are more special, more unique. At such moments, we want to perform at our highest level, with enthusiasm, energy. If we can anticipate these moments -- a celebration, an important meeting, an interview -- we can ready ourselves. We can take a nap, shower, dress carefully, and most of all, ready our thoughts and attitudes. Other times, though, we have only a few minutes to prepare -- or no minutes at all. Then, there are moments we never knew were special, seemingly trivial, but which carried great weight -- eyes watching us, evaluating us and making decisions for our future.

Therefore, we need at all times to wear white, and have a fragrance -- a perfume of pleasantness, friendliness and the desire to help others -- wafting from us.

(Rashi explains another idea here. A person never knows when he will leave this world -- therefore, he should bathe and dress himself with good deeds at all times, that when his time comes, he may enter the next world in peace.)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Add Value

2009-11-18T08:05:00.000+02:00

The least item in the world is worth everything when we attach a high value to it. Conversely, the priciest item is worth nothing when we disregard it.

Why do we think we need to be rich to be happy? The reason is that we don't appreciate enough what we have. We have a power to attach value to whatever we want -- but we don't use it. Instead, we wait for others to tell us what is good, what is precious and -- like sheep -- we follow the leader. But there's a danger in chasing what is popular, what is fashionable...

Only by valuing what we have, only by valuing our lives, can we be happy. If we don't attach importance to what we have, even the most expensive, rarest treasures, even the newest, trendiest toys won't make us happy. Even when everyone else appreciates what we have, we'll not enjoy it. Within ourselves, we have to be happy. Otherwise, we condemn ourselves to misery.

Therefore, more than striving to acquire what we don't have, we need to practice enjoying the wonderful, exciting life-items we do have. Let us treasure our world, let us raise its value, and let us succeed.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Journeys

2009-11-17T07:56:00.001+02:00

Generally, we prefer to be at our destination than to take a journey. However, in terms of our lives in this world, the journey is the more important of the two. For along the journey, we uncover new abilities, new strengths. Along the journey, we learn new ideas; we see and appreciate what we never noticed before. Along the journey, we strive to reach lofty destinations.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-11-16T08:16:00.001+02:00

We look right and left before we cross a road. We don’t wish to endanger ourselves. We need to do the same concerning spiritual dangers. Otherwise, we destroy our souls.

We harm ourselves when we turn our eyes away from danger, when we refuse to think it over. For, our ingrained habits naturally lead us, without us realizing it, to failure and self-destruction.

If we think and look before we act, we would immediately realize the adjustments we must make to improve our lives forever. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter Two)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

How

2009-11-12T07:58:00.000+02:00

If I deal on a daily basis with the Creator, the Creator of all, how, then, can I be small? How can my deeds, words or even thoughts have no importance?

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

In a Briefcase

2009-11-11T07:57:00.000+02:00

Let your friend's friend be your friend. Let life be your friend. Let the Creator be your friend.

We gain much when we enjoy life as it is -- when we enjoy our surroundings -- when we enjoy what we do.

To be happy with ourselves as we are now -- to be happy with what we do now -- to be happy with what we have now -- this is the level we want to reach. Using words the right way -- saying ideas we can say -- helps us to achieve this.

Within our every day -- within the keys and the keyboard, the pencils and the briefcase, the notes and the sandwiches -- is the Creator's presence. Within each element that makes up our life, rests the power, beauty and love of the One who creates all. We need to see it -- then we can enjoy it.

Can we see power, beauty, love, in a keyboard, in a briefcase? Maybe not, but we can say words that release such thoughts. Say POWER -- BEAUTY -- LOVE -- THE CREATOR. Say SUCCESS -- HAPPINESS -- PLEASURE. Say, I love life -- I enjoy what surrounds me -- I take pleasure from what I do.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Intentions

2009-11-10T07:49:00.001+02:00

A bus can travel with a single passenger. The same bus can travel with sixty passengers. Similarly, our actions can carry little intention, or they can be full of intention. These intentions make our actions the more profitable and powerful. (Based on Brochos 5b)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

2009-11-09T07:59:00.000+02:00

Ideally, we need to pour our energy and resources only into drawing closer to our Creator, escaping, as we would from a fire, all that distracts us from this goal. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

A Room in your House

2009-11-05T08:35:00.000+02:00

"Be a king" -- sounds arrogant, right? In fact, it is the height of humility. Moreover, there is none as humble as is a true king. How so?

For our every strength, talent, intelligence is a gift from the Creator. We may earn or not earn such prizes -- deserve or not deserve such heights. Nevertheless, they remain gifts.

Thus, to claim these talents as our own is to steal them from their owner. Any arrogance or pride we display is an abomination in the eyes of the Creator. Moreover, to remain ungrateful for all we receive is shortsighted, stupid. Should the Creator continue giving us gifts when we fail to acknowledge them?

On the other hand…

When we recognize that the Creator acts from within us and through us -- when we feel His presence stirring us, moving us -- then we allow more of the Creator into our midst, more of His kingship to fill us.

Give a king one room in your house and he will sleep there alone. Give him two rooms and he will bring in his chief aide. Give him three rooms and he will bring in more soldiers and staff. Give him your whole house and it will be a king's house. He will fill its every shelf, its every corner with his glory and majesty.

To be a king, therefore, we need to give our all to the Creator, to nullify ourselves before His presence, and have His qualities shine through us.
This idea our rabbis teach when they say, "Our ancestors -- Avraham, Yitzchak and Yakov -- were heaven's chariot." (Breishis Raba 47.5)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Take the Trouble

2009-11-04T07:57:00.001+02:00

It takes an effort to turn up the corners of our mouth. We need to exert ourselves to smile. But when we do so, we have no regrets. It's worth the trouble.

Similarly, with all that's good and positive in life, we need to make the effort -- we need to take the trouble. Very few of life's goodies come by themselves. We need to stab our fork into our food. We need to raise it to our mouths. We need to open our mouths. We need to chew.

When we are in pain, when worries and regrets surround us, when anger and frustration invade us, we have a way out; we have a safe haven -- a heaven where we may revive our spirits, conquer our sadness, expel our disappointments. This refuge lies in the world of thought. Turn your mind towards positive, happy ideas -- inspiring, energizing concepts. In the world of thought, you regain your strength and enthusiasm, your love of yourself, and of life.
But to enter this world, you need to exert yourself, at least a little.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Easy, Hard, Hardest

2009-11-03T07:51:00.000+02:00

It's easy to pray for what we desperately need. Harder, is to pray for what we only slightly need, even when we realize its importance. Still harder, to pray for what we don't think of at all, but we do know that it is of critical importance. Practically then, we should string these three into a single prayer, and have our most urgent need fueling our higher consciousness.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

To Release

2009-11-02T08:24:00.001+02:00

To release the goodness inside of us, to receive the world's goodness, we need sometimes outside forces to pressure us, to squeeze us. (Based on Tehillim 4.2)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-10-29T08:21:00.002+02:00

To enjoy this world's pleasures as a means to enhance our performance and acquire our next world is good. However, to indulge in such pleasures as an end in themselves, wastes our time, money and strength, and profits us little in return. To indulge in such pleasures as an end in themselves, bars and blocks us from knowing and enjoying our Creator. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Just what I need

2009-10-28T07:53:00.001+02:00

"What is your comment on this new development? Good, excellent, just what I need."

Let's try that again: "What do you say about this new development? Good, excellent, just what I need."

We need to practice this a few times. Get it into our heads, and keep it there. Then, with every new happening, whether good or seemingly, bad, we'll have a ready response. We'll greet it with a smile, with a positive outlook, with hope -- we'll expect success.

Can we be this positive? Certainly, we can.

Does it pay to be so positive? We'll never regret it.

When should we apply this attitude? We should never stop applying it, not for a moment. For everything in this world is the Creator's work, everything is for our benefit -- for our growth, for our happiness and success.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Loss Song

2009-10-27T12:36:00.002+02:00

When we suffer a loss, and then pause to think about all we haven't loss, we start singing. (Based on Rashi, Tehillim 3.1)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

The Relationship

2009-10-26T09:56:00.001+02:00

Mostly we turn to the Creator when we're in trouble. We need something badly, all avenues seem to be blocked, and we turn our eyes to the heavens.

More important though, is to look to the Creator as a source of inspiration. We should appreciate the outstanding qualities He posses -- the power, the goodness, the joy, etc., -- and strive to emulate Him, to copy these qualities into our thoughts and our lives.

This relationship, this approach towards the Creator is more solid, and leads to many wonderful benefits.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Qualifications

2009-10-22T09:48:00.000+02:00

When we think of a king or a queen, we think of power -- the ability to affect others, change their lives. If used properly, how much goodness it can bring, how far it can go to improve lives, inspiring others to greater accomplishments, to higher standards of living.

Power includes glory -- the palaces, carriages and limousines; the processions, grand feasts, beautifully dressed servants, gardens and parade grounds. Still, this is external -- and while it impresses the crowds, its value is superficial.

Power however, also includes the attributes we know a king should have -- wisdom, courage, kindness, compassion. These we understand are the real qualifications for leadership, for majesty. These are the true signs of greatness.

Do we have such qualities? To know this answer, we need to monitor ourselves carefully, especially in times of stress.

Can we acquire such qualities? Yes. If we make an active effort to gain them, internalize them, they can be ours.

When do we start? We start now. Place a crown on your head, and be a king or a queen, now!

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Super-Tonic

2009-10-21T07:53:00.000+02:00

Be happy and you cannot be angry. Be happy and you cannot hold grudges. Be happy and you cannot be desperate.

When we are happy, we cannot be angry. Instead, we look for something besides shouting, fuming, to fix the situation. Is there a way to deal with frustrations without shouting, without raging? If we'll think about it, we'll find it.

When we are happy, we cannot hold grudges. True, others may wrong us in 101 ways. True, they may cause us losses -- severe and lasting damage. Still, with happiness we can handle it. We can smile at it. We can turn our loss into a gain.

When we are happy, we cannot be desperate. If we can smile, there must be a reason to smile. We just have to find it...

The secret to being happy is to be happy. Smile. Shine. Tell yourself all is well -- all is as it should be -- The Creator controls all, with perfect coordination, perfect control. Life is great. And therefore, we have every reason to smile and shine.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

On Wealth

2009-10-20T08:08:00.000+02:00

The definition of a wealthy person is one that is happy with his lot (Pirkei Avos 4.1). The problem with this however, is no person has everything he needs. We all lack something. How then can anyone be happy with his lot -- no person leaves this world with even half of all he wants in his hands (Koheles Raba 1.13).

The solution must be that even though we lack things, we are satisfied with this lack. We understand that this lack is really for our good, spurring us to new achievement and benefiting us in an important way. Only when we hold such a thought in our mind can we call ourselves wealthy.

A further point is that such a thought must be a constant, a state of mind. In other words, just as to be wealthy is a state of being -- we wouldn't call someone who is wealthy for a minute wealthy -- so too the approach of being happy even with what we lack has to be a constant. To be wealthy we need to fix such an approach, such a trait into our psyches.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-10-19T08:08:00.001+02:00

When we realize that only fulfilling the Creator's wishes brings us to the eventual pleasure and delight we desire, we will give them proper importance: fulfill as many of them in range and number as we can, and perform them with high precision and focus. For according to our exertion, so is our gain. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Album

2009-10-15T09:12:00.000+02:00

"Look Father, they're taking pictures of me."

"All day, they take pictures of you, son. Mostly, you don't notice this. But they're there, photographing your every move."

"Why do they need so many pictures? What will they do with them?"

"These pictures make up the album of your life. They are your true personality, the real you -- your reward in the world to come, your wholeness for eternity. This is the "you" you take with you when you exit your body and go home."

"Can I see this album, Father?"

"You can see a little of it, son -- but not very clearly. It's too dark in this world to enjoy it properly. You can get a vague idea of what's in that album -- and whatever you see, you can use. But its true beauty, you will only grasp later, when your vision clears.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-10-14T08:38:00.000+02:00

Our own observations show us that to live only for this world is futile. For, even its greatest honors are accompanied with hard labor and pain. Not one person in a thousand reaches the pleasure and happiness we all crave -- and even then, it all ends in sickness and death.

Our reflections also show us that our souls, our minds, more sensitive and higher even than those of angels, sit in our bodies in discomfort. They are a princess imprisoned in a peasant's cottage, longing only escape to a higher, lovelier reality. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Trust and Happiness

2009-10-13T09:10:00.001+02:00

Can we keep happy in the face of adversity -- a terrible illness or the illness of a close relative -- the loss of a job at an age when it's difficult to find another one?

There is an interesting paradox. This is that the more a person is in the dark, both materially and spiritually, the closer he comes to investing his trust in the Creator. The more he trusts in the Creator, the more he basks in the Creator's light. In this way, being in the dark is a gift.

The Torah reflects this idea as follows: "Who is there amongst you that fears the Creator … who walks in the dark [no material success], without light [no spiritual success] -- he will trust in The Creator …"(Yeshayahu 50.10)
Then, when a person learns to trust, to really trust, he may be happy, and enjoy every type of success.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Crown Prince

2009-10-01T08:48:00.000+02:00

"Father, can I play now with the other children?"

"Go son, play. But remember -- you are the crown prince, the heir to the throne, a future king. Even as you play, you must know this. Be kind to others, especially the weak children. Be fair. Stay clean. And when I call you, come in immediately. Your studies, your quiet time with me, must come first."

"Yes, father!"

Who is the king? -- Only the Creator. Who is the crown prince? That's you -- your potential, your importance. What is the playground? -- This world and the people who inhabit it.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-09-30T08:25:00.000+02:00

The elements of this world aid us to reach our goal. Moreover, as we use them, we elevate them. However, if we misuse them, abuse them, we destroy ourselves, and our world as well.

The entire world is for us. However, it only benefits us when we use it to reach our destination and reward in the next world. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Bills, Expenses

2009-09-29T07:47:00.000+02:00

Can we live on happiness? Can it pay our unpaid bills, our expenses?

To be happy means we lack nothing. As such, it pays the bills -- all of them. There's a catch though. For in addition to being happy, we have other obligations and duties -- obligations to the Creator, to our families, to our communities. One such obligation is to earn a living -- "with sweat on your face, you may eat bread."*

Still, earning a living, sweating, does not pay the bills. Only the Creator takes care of our needs. Only the Creator pays our bills.

We need to see our life this way. Then, we may free ourselves of our many worries, and start living with a new joy.

-------------------------------
* Breishis 3.19

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Yom Kippur

2009-09-27T08:16:00.000+02:00

Our prayers are special. This is true of everyone's prayers. The minute we give heart to what we say, it takes on a new power, and the more heart we give, the more power it has.

I heard a beautiful story about the great Rav Shach, of blessed memory. At one time the Ponovezh yeshiva in Bnei Brak really needed extra room for all its students for Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. Managers came to him asking for permission to close off part of the women's section. They were quite desperate for space. After asking for a few days to think it over, he came back to them and told them, "You can't do it. There may well be women, praying desperate prayers, one asking for the return of a wayward grandchild, another asking for her lifelong partner, a third asking for children for herself. Who knows," he said, "it could well be these urgent, heartfelt prayers that carry the entire yeshiva."

Gmar chasima tova.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-09-25T08:07:00.001+03:00

We need to make efforts and deeds that lead us closer to the Creator. Such closeness is a true achievement. All else that people think of as being good, is insignificant, evaporating into nothing.

Our hunger for material wealth and comfort distances us from reaching true good. Our challenge is to control these desires. This is our test, and the more tests we pass, the closer we can come to our ultimate happiness. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

The Creator's Gift

2009-09-24T08:03:00.000+03:00

If you're going to be a king -- if you want to succeed as a queen -- you have to start now. Decide now that you are a king -- refined, gracious, giving. Think now that you are a queen -- noble, wise, strong. Live now the idea that you are steady, secure -- and make it a part of you.

"Isn't this arrogant?"

It's only arrogant if you are arrogant. But accept it as The Creator's gift, and it's a gift -- a gift that makes your life all the more beautiful. For all you have received to this day is The Creator's gift. And with gratitude -- you may continue receiving His gift, into the present, into the future -- even more than before.

"Who says The Creator wants to give me all I would like to achieve?"

More than you want to receive, The Creator wants to give. (Pesachim 112a) He is the perfect giver. First, though, you must learn how to receive His gift. You must decide that you want it. You must be ready for it. You must wait for it. This is vital.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Happy and Safe

2009-09-23T08:11:00.002+03:00

Be happy and you lack nothing. Be happy and you are secure -- you are safe. (Heard from Rav A. Goodman -- based on Maharal)

But can we lack nothing? Yes, if we look at our world this way -- if we look at what seems bad as being good. With such an attitude, with such a joy, we gain ourselves a new peace of mind and wellbeing.

When we lack something, we are vulnerable. When we are in need, we become dependent. We depend on the person or group who may supply us our need. We are slaves. We are open, exposed to any hurt others might cause us. However, once we lack nothing, once we have all we need, we are invulnerable. No one can hurt us.

At times, we need to be weak. However, this is only when we deal with the Creator -- when we negotiate with the Creator -- when we pray to the Creator. But when it comes to working with and dealing with people, with family, friends and acquaintances, we should lack nothing at all.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-09-22T08:06:00.000+03:00

The foundation of our personal growth lies in clarifying and confirming our duties for the present time and the future goals we must strive to reach.

The Creator designed us to revel in the ultimate pleasure, immersing ourselves in the glow of His Presence. This pleasure however, we earn only through our own effort and toil.

The place designed for working is this world. The place designated for receiving pleasure is the next world. Thus, this world serves as the corridor to the next. (Pirkei Avos 4.16)

The means that carry us to the next world are directives, mitzvos the Creator gives us to perform while still in this world. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter One)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Shlomo

2009-09-17T08:47:00.002+03:00

Be a king -- listen to this: "In the beginning Shlomo, son of David, was king over the angels, over the heavens ... then he ruled only over lower beings, the earth ... then he ruled only over Yisrael ... then he ruled only over Yerushalayim ... then he ruled only over his walking stick ..." (Sanhedrin 20b)

What is this teaching? Do the rabbis come to make fun of Shlomo? No. We explain this as follows: Shlomo, like all of us, looked for greatness -- the great happiness that life contains. In his determination and genius, this led him to be a king even over the heavens. Later, though, he cut back on his operations. The angels could rule themselves -- he did not have to command them all. It would be enough to rule the world, or Yisrael, or even just Yerushalayim -- until he concluded that, the best type of king is he who is a king over himself.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Circle of Happiness

2009-09-16T08:39:00.000+03:00

Where do we stand on the Circle of Happiness? This isn't a simple question. We keep swiveling around. At one moment we can be close to depression -- at the next, close to ecstasy.

However, there's an average position that we hold -- that we guard -- for ourselves, for our families -- for our day, for our week. This position depends on how close we are to having what we need. Do we have the food we want? Are our living conditions comfortable? Do we have family, friends to interact with, live with -- support and receive support, encourage and receive encouragement? Do we have stimulating, meaningful activities to fill our minutes, our hours?

And still, no person reaches perfect happiness. Somehow, it escapes us -- stands beyond us.

Within our desire to increase our happiness lies our challenge. Will we look for honest, honorable ways to fill this gap in our life? Or will we look for cheap thrills, extravagance? Worse, will we mock and make fun of others for our pleasure?

The first option is the true target, something great, awesome -- but it requires great and awesome efforts. The second, while easy, is a mistake. For by acting in evil, ugly ways, we lose the Creator's support and blessing, and step onto the path that leads only to poverty, misery and unhappiness.

Only with wise decisions can we be happy.

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".

Nuggets

2009-09-15T08:24:00.002+03:00

What does the Creator want of us? No more than to fear Him -- to walk in His ways, to love Him and to serve Him with whole hearts... (Devarim 10.12)

To fear the Creator is to realize that we stand before a magnificent king and to feel ashamed of talking in His presence.

To walk in the Creator's ways is to be magnificent ourselves, bestowing goodness on others to the best of our abilities.

To love the Creator is to look always to please Him, and to rejoice whenever we are able to do so.

With a whole heart is to serve the Creator without any side interest or intention. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Author's Introduction)

Visit the author's site. Subscribe to "Keep Smiling".