PKRAUSE

541

this is good advice

yes if you are going to look to the past remember
the joyful times

dgrimm60

#542 Discover your Faults in Others

Whenever you notice a fault in another person, check where you have that fault yourself. We have a strong tendency to notice our own faults in others. This awareness gives us many opportunities to learn about our own shortcomings -since it is easier to recognize a fault in someone else than in ourselves."

What fault do you commonly notice in other people? In what ways do you have that fault yourself?

Use this awareness as a tool to stop yourself from speaking against others. Who would want to speak against others knowing that you are merely drawing attention to that same fault in yourself?!

Today, catch yourself in the act of criticizing others. Then think about the implications for yourself.

PKRAUSE

542

this is interesting and good advice

dgrimm60

#543 Learn from the Mistakes of Others

Whenever you see that someone has made a mistake, view the situation as a learning experience to prevent yourself from making similar mistakes.

Moreover, utilize this experience to discover what knowledge you may be able to impart to others so they, too, can avoid making similar mistakes.

Today, think of three mistakes you have seen people make recently. In what way have you made similar mistakes?

#544 Consider the Virtues of Others

Spend time thinking about the virtues of other people. Not merely as a passing thought - but try to feel pleasure in thinking of their virtues.

PKRAUSE

543

this is interesting and good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

544

this is interesting and good advice

dgrimm60

#545 Understanding Difficult People

When dealing with a person you find difficult, keep in mind that this person's way of behaving and thinking might be causing him to suffer even more than he is causing you to suffer. See life from his point of view - and be compassionate.

#546 Study and Emulate Great People

Here is a tool for greatness: Watch a truly righteous person very carefully and observe what he does in order to emulate him.

Today, think of three great people that you know, heard of, or have read about. What can you learn from each one?

#547 Feel Grateful for every Pleasure

Every single time you have some pleasure, even a very slight one such as gaining a small profit, feel grateful to the Almighty. Every day we have numerous such occasions which are easily overlooked. They are lessons to teach awareness of the Almighty's Divine Providence.

#548 Bring about Miracles in People's Lives

Be aware of the positive attributes and behaviors of the people with whom you come into contact and help them build upon their strengths. Encouragement is a much more powerful tool for change and growth than blaming and condemning. You can bring about miracles in people's lives if you believe in their potential.

PKRAUSE

545

This is good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

546

This is interesting and good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

547

This is very good advice---we need to be thankful everyday

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

548

this is good advice and something to pray about

dgrimm60

#549 Tailor your Help to the Person

Be flexible when you try to help someone. If the first strategy you try doesn't seem to work, try another approach. Since every person is unique, different approaches are necessary for different people.

When talking to someone, note the feedback you receive from his slight changes in facial expression. Ask the person how the ideas you are saying sound to him.

If you are not able to help someone, suggest another person who might be able to help him.

ps: kind of reminds me of Paul in the NT

#550 Acceptance has Curative Powers

Accepting the will of the Almighty when one is ill has curative powers.

Rabbi Simcha Zissel of Kelm wrote to an ill person that all doctors advise their patients to have a calm attitude. The question is how a patient can master this attitude. The Sages have shown us the way -- to accept our suffering with joy.

The benefits gained from awareness of the Almighty are exactly what we need for our physical well being. This is what the verse (Chabakuk 2:4) teaches: "The righteous person will live with his belief." Their belief will cause them to live. It will strengthen them and bring them joy. As it says: "The person with a good heart has a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15).

The Vilna Gaon comments that when a person goes to a party, he might feel happy, but as soon as the party is over the happiness is gone. But a person with a good heart, that is, the right attitudes, is always happy. Awareness of the Almighty gives a person a good heart to understand that whatever happens is God's will. Suffering is meant to be merciful to a person, to arouse him to mend his ways in order that he find eternal pleasure.

#551 Suffering helps us Focus

A person who is broken-hearted has a greater tendency to think about his ultimate purpose in this world. This can lead to more elevated behavior.

#552 Kindness requires Awareness

Doing acts of kindness requires great wisdom about the ways of the world. You must have an awareness of the differences between people and their individual needs.

PKRAUSE

549

THIS is good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

550

this is very good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

551

this is very true

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

552

this is very true

dgrimm60

#553 Please According to the Pleasure

People react to different situations differently, based on their diverse personalities and experiences.

The obligation to love other people and do acts of kindness requires that we look at the specific individual we are dealing with. Try to understand what exactly will give this person pleasure. Be aware of his personality traits, in order to know what his needs are. Decide in which areas and to what degree to honor this specific person.

To do this properly requires much thought.

PKRAUSE

553

this is interesting and good advice

dgrimm60

#554 Heed the Cry for Respect

Every person you meet deeply desires to be treated with respect. If you listen carefully, you will hear them cry: "Please consider me an important person. Don't embarrass or insult me. Please listen to me when I speak."

If you learn to treat every person you meet with respect, you will have many friends throughout your life. Upon meeting another person, ask yourself, "What can I say to this person to show him respect?"

#556 Review Mistakes Constructively

Often, when something does not work out as planned, it is common to keep discussing the matter. Such discussions frequently cause needless anger and irritation.

Ask yourself: "Was I right in going to such and such a place?" "Was I right in doing this or that?"

If what you did was wrong, even if the outcome was successful, it was improper to have done it. Accept responsibility, resolve not to repeat it, and move on. The past is already gone and there is no value in complaining about it.

PKRAUSE

554

this is good and important advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE


556 this is good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

DID you miss 555

dgrimm60

No I never received it?? Not sure why, but have not had the time to go and look.

#557 Keep Mistakes in Perspective

Some people tend to condemn themselves as total failures when they make a mistake. They tell themselves that because they have made a mistake they are "no good." Basically their attitude is, "If I'm not perfect, then I'm a complete failure."

The reality is that no one is perfect and no one is a complete failure. We are all on various stages along a continuum. It is more productive to recognize your situation as it really is (as best as you can) and work on improving. Then you will begin to tell yourself something along these lines, "I am aware of seven mistakes today. What can I do to avoid these mistakes in the future?"

#558 Overcome Obstacles to Action

At times you might have negative reactions when trying to perform a good deed. You might feel rebellious and would rather not do the deed. Do not feel sad or nervous about this. The essence of doing good deeds is the effort, and we cannot expect it will always be easy to do the right thing.

Have a conversation with yourself. Ask yourself why you find it difficult. What exactly is bothering you? This will give you personal insight and will help you grow.

PKRAUSE

557

that is very good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE

558


this is good advice

dgrimm60

#559 Rise Above Trivial Aspects of Honor

It is ridiculous how some people are concerned about trivial aspects of "honor." For example, a person may refuse to visit a friend or relative, because they feel the other person should come to him first. Or they become angry if they visit someone and that person does not repay the visit.

Focus on being practical. If you would like to speak to someone, what does it matter if he did not come to you first?

#560 Increase Your Respect

Right now, feel a greater sense of self-respect and respect for others. This will be reflected in how you speak and how you act. Repeat the words "self-respect and respect for others.

If you had a greater amount of self-respect, what is one special thing you would do differently today?

What can you do today that would be an expression of greater respect for others?

PKRAUSE

559

this is very good advice

dgrimm60

PKRAUSE


560

this is interesting advice

dgrimm60

#561 Honesty Brings Respect

Others will respect you more for being honest and open rather than being evasively defensive. Ultimately you will gain more self-respect.