Daily Lift by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

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Present Tests

The past is only memories.

The future is but illusory hopes.

Focus on the present. For that is where your life really is. And it consists only of tests.

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Live Your Moments

Rabbi Alter of Nevardok said that if a person constantly focuses on the future, he entirely loses out on the present moments. Then, when the future finally becomes the present, he will continue to focus on the future of that future. Hence he never has a present.

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Expect New Tests

In every stage of spiritual growth, a person has different impulses and desires. The more elevated a person becomes, the more he has to fight off strong impulses.

A person should not imagine he is on a low level because he feels stronger impulses than before he worked on improvement. Expect new tests whenever you reach a higher spiritual level.

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Accept the Will of the Almighty

Totally accept the will of the Almighty and you will free yourself from the suffering caused by expectations.

[D. Allan]

Thats close to what the Buddha said: we suffer because we cling to desires.

[phkrause]

Thats close to what the Buddha said: we suffer because we cling to desires.

Well that's interesting.

[phkrause]

Appreciate Your Freedom

To appreciate what you have, develop your ability to form mental images. In the Pesach Haggadah, the Sages say we are obligated to view ourselves as having "once been slaves who have now gained freedom."

The more you are able to picture what life would be like if you were a slave and how elated you would feel on obtaining your freedom, the more grateful you will feel that you are presently free. As Pesach approaches, try to imagine that feeling.

[D. Allan]

Peasach - I had to wikipedia that. Passover. Sometime in April evidently.

[phkrause]

Peasach - I had to wikipedia that. Passover. Sometime in April evidently.

Yes D Allen, its the actual time of the Crucifiction. Easter is sometimes around the same time

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Put Down Sad Thoughts

When you feel sad, write down which thoughts are causing your sadness. Then challenge those negative thoughts with more positive ways of viewing matters. Writing this down is frequently more effective than just thinking about it.

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Be Mindful Of The Effects Of Impatience

Being on the receiving end of someone else's impatience gives us a first-hand experience of what others experience if we are impatient with them.

Doesn't it feel distressful to be rushed by an impatient clerk? Isn't it irritating when someone you call up for instructions or to register a complaint is too impatient to hear you out? Isn't it annoying when you're going as fast as you can and someone yells, "Hurry up already!"

[D. Allan]

That is so true. I had never looked at it from that angle. Thank You!

[phkrause]

That is so true. I had never looked at it from that angle. Thank You!

I agree it is very true.

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Whether Praise or Insults

Whether others praise or insult you, the goal to strive for is that both should be equal in your eyes.

This is such a lofty ideal that most people will consider it impossible. But the more we are aware that there is no practical difference between praise and insults, and that we have intrinsic worth regardless of what others say, the less praise and insults will affect us.

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Writing Commitments

People who forget important appointments and tasks might use the excuse that "it's not my fault that I forgot." In truth, a person is greatly responsible for not writing things down.

Make a habit of writing down your obligations and commitments in a notebook where you can review them. It will prevent many unnecessary problems.

[olger]

Excellent. I have kept a computer logbook for the last 17 years.

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Profit From Insults

Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz said, "When someone insults you, even for selfish reasons, do not automatically disregard what he says. Rather, check yourself to see if there is any aspect of truth, regardless of his intention, and try to learn from it."

For example, if someone says you are "lazy," instead of becoming upset, use this as a motivation to overcome some aspect of laziness you do have. Even though you are usually not lazy, you can still improve.

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Fear Of Insults

Fear of insults is worse than the actual pain of insults.

Many people have strong fears about being insulted or humiliated. But the actual pain will be minimal if you don't dwell on it and keep telling yourself how awful the insult is.

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Feelings Aren't Facts

Some people feel discouraged. They then assume that these feelings are facts: since they feel discouraged that is a "proof" there is no hope. But feelings only represent a person's present state of mind, they cannot predict the future.

They can ask themselves: "Do my present feelings actually prove that there is no hope?" Of course not. There is never absolute proof that your situation will not improve. By believing you have no hope, you are causing yourself great harm. Adopt the attitude: "It is always possible that the future will turn out much brighter than I presently feel it will. What constructive action can I take for improvement?"

[olger]

Love it !!

[D. Allan]

very good advice - excellent!

[phkrause]

Remember Positive Moments

When you feel discouraged, you are likely to remember past failures and disappointments. This leads to more emotional pain and increases your discouragement. Make a conscious effort to remember any positive moment in your life. Even if you can only remember one time when you felt positive about yourself or only one time when you manifested confidence or strength, you presently have a resource that is yours for life. Calmly recall the positive feelings you once had and realize that since you have experienced confidence and strength once, you can continue to experience it in the future.

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Lift Your Spirits

Here are some ideas to help you feel better:

(1) Fill your mind with happiness-producing thoughts. Create an encouraging inner voice.

(2) Remember the positive moments of your life. Re-experience the positive feelings you had when you lived through those moments.

(3) Get in touch with your moments of strength. When you felt strong, how did you create those feelings?

(4) Increase your sense of meaning in life by doing meaningful things.

(5) Create enjoyable mental imagery. Visualize yourself being joyous.

(6) View your depressed feelings as a challenge that can eventually help you to elevate yourself.

(7) Find some positive way of looking at each event and situation in your life.

(8) Keep a diary of the good things that happen to you.

(9) Keep a self-mastery journal to give you a greater sense of empowerment.

(10) Engage in physical exercises such as brisk walking or running.

(11) List ten reasons why you can feel better even though you are experiencing difficulties.

(12) Each day, do acts of kindness for others.

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The Joy of Virture is its own Reward

The Baal Shem Tov used to say:

"Even if a person would receive no other reward besides the joy and pleasure he has from performing a good deed, it would be sufficient. The greatest potential for pleasure is the pleasure we experience when performing a good deed."

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Form Good Thinking Habits

A person easily becomes a slave to habits. And the most difficult habit to break is that of thinking in a certain manner.

The answer? Fight habit with habit! Work to form the habit of thinking rationally and productively. In this way, you will change your entire thought patterns for the better.