Daily Lift by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

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#1068   Be Awed Into Humility

Attaining humility is a byproduct of our awareness of the awesome power of our immortal Creator. We are finite in the presence of the Infinite. We are extremely limited when compared to the One who is unlimited. We are miniscule when compared to the immense size of His total creation of which we are aware of only a tiny fraction. And what we are aware of is mind-boggling in its complexity, grandeur, and size.

Humility is what any intelligent, thinking human will have to experience with even a partial awareness of what has already been revealed to us.

(from Rabbi Pliskin's book "Patience," published by ArtScroll - www.artscroll.com)

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#1069   Channel Your Curiosity

There are two varieties of curiosity: positive and negative.

Work to overcome your curiosity to find out negative gossip about other people.

At the same time, work to increase your intellectual and spiritual curiosity to gain more wisdom for living.

(See Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Self Knowledge, pp.186-7)

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#1070   Increase Your Alacrity

The opposite of procrastination and laziness is when you take care of things right away and with speed.

Think of some things that you have been pushing off taking care of. Now commit yourself to do at least one of those things as soon as you can.

After you do this, let this serve as a role model for you to increase your general level of alacrity.

(For a series of probing questions on this topic, see Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Self Knowledge,"See Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Self Knowledge, pp. 108-9)

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#1071   Give Them to Others

Every time you give charity, you should feel great joy.

Look for opportunities that you might otherwise have overlooked. For example, give away old things that you don't need anymore to someone who can't afford them.

(For a series of probing questions on this topic, see Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Self Knowledge," pp.147-8)

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#1072   Suffering Teaches Modesty

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch wrote: "Suffering is a great teacher. Suffering teaches you the limitations of your power. It reminds you of the frailty of your health, the instability of your possessions, and the inadequacy of your means which have only been lent to you and must be returned as soon as the Owner desires it. Suffering visits you and teaches you the nothingness of your false greatness. It teaches you modesty."

("Horeb," vol.1, p.36; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.247)

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#1073   Strategic Humility

There is a very powerful tool that will enable you to overcome many potential quarrels. This is the art of knowing how to act with "strategic humility" when a needless quarrel might arise. By being willing to forego illusory honor and speaking to someone from a humble position, you will be able to soften a heart made of stone. Your opponent's heart will melt in the face of your warmth when you act in a humble manner.

Even if you think you are losing by acting humbly, actually you lose absolutely nothing in a spiritual sense. Outwardly you are complying with the wishes of another person, but inwardly your spiritual level is not affected.

(see Rabbi Chaim Zaitchyk - Maayanai Hachaim, vol.3, 64-5; Rabbi Pliskin's "Consulting the Wise")

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#1074   Consider Humility

Arrogance can be the source of two opposite ways of behaving. Some people have such a high opinion of themselves that want nothing else to do with other people. Alternatively, there are those whose arrogance leads them to want power and control over others.

The opposite of arrogance is humility. Humility is the awareness that everything we have is a gift, and that other people are equally important.

Today, contemplate humility for at least five minutes. In what ways would your life be enhanced if you had more humility?

(see Vilna Gaon - Proverbs 8:13; Rabbi Pliskin - "Consulting the Wise")

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#1075   Obstacles Add to Your Pleasure

Pleasure comes from filling a need. A person is in a state of deficiency most of his life and focuses on obtaining that which he is lacking. At times, great obstacles prevent a person from meeting those needs. The more obstacles that arise, the more a person feels the void of what he is missing.

Eventually, when that need is met, the pleasure of obtaining is in proportion to the difficulty he previously experienced. When you obtain what you want without running up against obstacles, your pleasure is limited.

(see Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler - Michtav MaiEliyahu, vol.3, pp.180-2; Rabbi Pliskin's "Consulting the Wise")

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#1076   Don't Dwell On Past Troubles

Every person has moments of suffering and unpleasantness in his life. If you master the skill of living in the present, you will keep these moments limited to the actual negative experiences. Both before and after a painful experience you will focus on what is at that moment, freeing you from much unnecessary pain in your life.

Very young children have this skill naturally, and that is why they enjoy life unless they are presently in pain. As we grow older, our ability to use our minds and think about the past and future increases. This ability can be utilized in very beneficial ways, but it can also be detrimental. We can transform our lives into suffering and torture by keeping in mind all our unpleasant experiences of the past.

Forgetting those experiences is the positive aspect of forgetfulness.

(Chovos HaLevovos; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.145)

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#1077   Understanding Others is the Key to Anger

Frequently when we get angry with someone, we fail to realize that he sees the situation much differently than we do. Since he is acting in a manner he considers proper, we should not condemn him and become angry.

Always ask yourself, "How does this person perceive the situation?" You might still strongly disagree with him, but understanding his point of view will help calm you down.

The greater your understanding of someone else's perception of reality, the greater your ability to communicate with him effectively.

(Pele Yoaitz - Kaas; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness)

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#1078   Courage Saves Time

Courage can be a great time-saver. There are instances when you find yourself in a situation that is eating up a lot of your precious time. You would like to say or do something about it, but you find it difficult to do so.

Utilize these situations as opportunities to build up your courage.

(From Rabbi Pliskin's book, "Courage")

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#1079   Limit Your Down Time

Once something is past, it no longer exists.

If you experience pain or insult, don't add to it by later repeating to yourself, "How awful that was." This way, it will only last the limited time it actually exists. This is usually very short.

Realizing that suffering is temporary makes it much easier to tolerate insults and slights to your honor.

(Erech Apayim, p.98; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness)

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#1080   Pray a Word at a Time

When praying, keep your mind only on the word at hand. Try to say each word with complete concentration on that word alone.

Rabbi Mordechai of Lekhivitz used to say, "When reciting the prayer Adon Olam, do not even think of the word Olam when saying the word Adon."

(Maigdolai Hatorah Vechasidus, vol.2, p.92; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.150)

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#1081   Try For Next Time

Rabbi Moshe of Kobrin told his followers that even if they make serious mistakes, they should not be discouraged. Rather, they should focus on correcting themselves in the future. To illustrate this point, he asked a disciple of his who grew up on a farm, "Did you use to ride on a horse?"

"Yes," replied the man, "quite frequently."

"Did it ever happen that you fell off the horse?" asked Rabbi Moshe.

"Many times," the disciple said.

"And what did you do?" Rabbi Moshe asked.

"I just mounted the horse again, and continued riding," was the person's reply.

"This is a model how we should react to our mistakes," Rabbi Moshe told his followers. "Never give up. Regardless of how many times you fall, keep on trying."

(Ohr Yeshorim, p.108; Gateway to Happiness, p.379)

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#1082   One Step at a Time

If you have negative traits, constantly work on acting in a manner that is diametrically opposed to them. This will make those negative traits foreign to you.

Take it slow, and keep in mind that this is a lifelong process!

(see Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian - Lev Eliyahu, vol.1, p.43; Rabbi Pliskin's "Consulting the Wise")

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#1083   Go One Step at a Time

When beginning to work on self-improvement, just try to go against a negative trait in one small way. Any positive change is already a beginning.

When you take that first step and make even a small change for the better, you have already begun transforming your entire makeup. You are taking control of yourself and your behavior.

With persistence, you will go very far toward your ultimate destination.

(see Rabbi Yechezkail Levenstein - Ohr Yechezkail, Midos, p.59; Rabbi Pliskin's "Consulting the Wise")

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#1084   Give Your Spouse Positive Reinforcement

I once saw this advertisement: "Make sure you're part of a winning team." The way to be part of a winning team in marriage is to bring out the best in your spouse.

Remember to keep your focus on your spouse's strengths and not his or her weaknesses. Remember to believe in the potential of your spouse. Believe that your spouse has untapped wisdom and goodness that both of you can reach. Remember to notice positive changes and to express your appreciation. Express appreciation and gratitude for positive words and actions, even if they are not totally what you would have wanted.

By giving positive reinforcement to a movement in the right direction, you encourage your spouse to keep moving along the best path for both of you.

(From Rabbi Pliskin's book entitled "Marriage" - ArtScroll Publications, 1998, Chapter One, pp.30-1)

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#1085   Pray One Step at a Time

Prayer is an excellent training ground for practicing control of one's thoughts.

Some people give up hope on concentrating during prayers because they feel there is so much to say and they find it hard to concentrate for so long. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov offered the following advice: When external thoughts come to you during prayers, ignore them. Don't try to fight them, since the more you battle them the more they will bother you.

Make up your mind to concentrate on just a few pages. By using this technique you will be able to concentrate during the entire service.

(see Chochmah Umussar, vol.1, p.283; Rabbi Pliskin - Gateway to Happiness, p.86)

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#1086   Think about the Outcome

Even if someone has done something wrong to you, before getting into an argument about it, think of the outcome you are striving for. If there will be no practical benefit from your argument, avoid it.

"Outcome thinking" is wisdom. A wise person considers the outcome before speaking.

Be wise!

(see Vilna Gaon - Proverbs 13:30; Rabbi Pliskin - "Consulting the Wise")

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#1087   Uncover Your Accomplishments

There are many accomplishments in life that are often overlooked as being accomplishments. For example, developing your character is a great accomplishment. Maimonides writes that this is a fulfillment of the mitzvah to walk in God's ways.

Each difficulty that you cope well with is an accomplishment.

Doing an act of kindness for another person is an accomplishment. (And the less you feel like doing it, the greater the accomplishment!)

(For a series of probing questions on this topic, see Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Self Knowledge," pp.101-2)

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#1088   Don't Take Disagreements Personally

When someone disagrees with your ideas, realize that he's not attacking you personally. This perspective will help you be more open to listen to someone who disagrees with your position.

As an experiment, go an entire week without reacting defensively (unless it is necessary to do so to protect yourself from loss or harm).

(For a series of probing questions on this topic, see Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Self Knowledge," p.192)

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#1089   You and Your Spouse are Unique

Torah principles give us the wisdom and concepts that are needed for a harmonious marriage. But just knowing these ideas will not automatically guarantee a happy marriage. Torah ideas need to be internalized and practiced.

You have strengths and weaknesses, positive qualities and faults - and so does the person you marry. You have a unique life history; you came from a specific family - and so did your spouse. You have a unique genetic makeup, with a unique combination of intellect and emotions - and so does every other human being on our planet.

Your temperament, personality, communication style, and myriad other factors need to interact with the temperament, personality, and communication style of your spouse. This will inevitably create many challenges. Your response to these challenges will either create problems, pain, and quarrels... or will be the source of great spiritual and emotional elevation.

(From Rabbi Pliskin's book "Marriage" - Introduction, p.13)

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#1090   Shabbos Rest Helps Your Whole Week

The rest we have on Shabbos is not merely rest from work on that day alone. Rather, it has the ability to give us peace of mind all the days of the week.

(see Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Bloch; Shiurey Daas, p.109; Rabbi Pliskin - Gateway to Happiness, p.85)

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#1091   Pleasures are like Salt Water

All the material and physical pleasures of this world are like salt water. They just cause a person to desire more and more. It is impossible to quench the thirst for desires by giving into desires. Just the opposite occurs. A person becomes thirstier for more desires. Trying to acquire good traits is entirely different. When you first try to acquire those virtues, you might find it bitter. However, when you master the habit of doing good, you feel great sweetness. Therefore the person who seeks pleasure in becoming a better person will find true enjoyment in life.

(Chochmah Umussar, vol.2, pp.278-9; Gateway to Happiness, pp.358-9)

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#1092   Make the Almighty's Will Your Will

The ultimate formula for mastering patience is: "Make the Almighty's will your will."

Those who internalize this will automatically and spontaneously be patient. Repeat this message to yourself over and over again. "I will make the Almighty's will my will."

-- "If it's the Almighty's will that I need to wait for someone, that too is my will."

-- "If it's the Almighty's will that I need to repeat myself, that too is my will."

-- "If it's the Almighty's will that I need to wait until I find out some information, that too is my will."

(From Rabbi Pliskin's book, "Patience")