Daily Lift by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

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#576 Sustaining Hope

There are many life situations and circumstances in which it is easy to be pessimistic. It might be easy to give up hope particularly when others make discouraging comments.

Let us always believe in the benevolence of our loving Father and powerful King. Let this belief be so strong that nothing anyone says can cause us to lose hope.

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#577 Connecting with the Infinite

"And those who love Your Name will exult in You (Psalms 5:12)." Every time we mention the Almighty's name with love, we are connecting with eternity. We are not merely in the physical spot where we stand or sit. We are between two eternities: The eternity before this moment, and the eternity after this moment. We are connecting with the Infinite. Whenever we say Hashem's name, we should bear in mind that: "He is the Master of all that exists. He always was, He always is, and He always will be" (Shulchan Aruch 5:1)

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#578 Your Value as a Human

Without the value and power that our Creator has given us we are nothing. We are dust and ashes. With the value and power that is the gift to each one of us by our loving Father and King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, we are remarkable beings. The entire world was created for us.

This view of humanity can instill in us both humility and positive self-esteem. Our value is given to us by Hashem, no human being can take it away. We do not need any mortal's approval or appreciation to claim our value. It is a given.

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#579 Mastering Gratitude

What would it be like to be a master of the attribute of gratitude? A truly grateful person is a joyful person. He is grateful for the past positive things the Almighty has done for him, and he appreciates all the present things for which he can be grateful. This gratitude fills his heart and mind. His gratitude-consciousness is such an integral part of him, that it has nothing to do with what will occur in the future. The present gratitude is total and complete. King David is our role model. We too wish to be able to say with him, "I will thank Hashem with all my heart."

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#580 Success In Life

We constantly need to increase our understanding that all that happens to us in life was orchestrated by the One Who directs all events, situations, and circumstances. We are the actors who perform against the background that has been set up for us.

However, unlike an actor in a major play where the entire script of what will be said and done has been written by someone else, in our lives we have total freewill to choose what we will say and what we will do. It is our choices of words and actions that will make our lives a tremendous success or not.

The criteria for success and failure has nothing to do with how eloquently we speak or how dramatically we carry out our actions. Rather, success is speaking and acting according to the will of the Almighty.

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#581 Sustaining Inner Strength

Do you want to enhance your life? Keep repeating throughout the day, "I love you, Hashem, my strength." As you repeat this a number of times each day, you will feel yourself being strengthened spiritually and emotionally. You will be able to remember that Hashem is your Rock, your Fortress, and your Rescuer (Psalms 18:2,3). Hashem is the source of your strength. Recognizing this, gives you an inner strength that will sustain you on a high level each and every day.

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#582 The Positive Energy of Hope

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!

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#583 For the Sake of Peace

"The blessing of the Almighty is peace." The question to ask ourselves is, "What can I personally do for the sake of peace?" The first step to creating peace is the way we talk to others. The contents of what we say and the tone of voice in which we say it, will be key factors in whether a disagreement or displeasure is expressed with mutual respect or not.

 Make peace a high priority. Be fully committed to speaking in ways that are conducive to peace.

(Growth Through Tehillim: Exploring Psalms for Life Transforming Thoughts, p. 77)

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#584 The Kindness Connection

Speaking and acting with kindness connects you to true and authentic greatness. You are connecting with the Creator, the source of all goodness.

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#585 Thinking Good About Others

I heard many times from Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, the late Head of Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. "The commandment to refrain from speaking negatively against others does not start with what we say when we speak. Rather, it starts with what we think about when we think about another person."

The Torah obligation starts with our thoughts. When you master the ability to see what is good about other people, their virtues and positive attributes, their strengths and accomplishments, then you will speak positively about them. Knowing that they have many positive qualities and have done much good, you will find it easier to refrain from violating the Torah prohibition against negative speech.

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#586 Disagree Respectfully

People can have diverse opinions. They can have different personalities. They can have different goals and objectives. Even so, they can choose to interact in peaceful ways, and discuss their differences with mutual respect. At times they will work out solutions to their mutual satisfaction, and at times they will not. Nevertheless, they can be calm, and think clearly about the wisest course to take.

ps:I wonder which threads can really use this advice??? :)

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#587 A Guarantee of Happiness

"And my tongue will express Your charity. Your praise all day long." (Psalms 35:28)

The charity that King David was referring to was the kindness and charity that the Almighty bestowed on him. Out of gratitude and appreciation for this, King David would praise Hashem all day long.

Fulfillment of this one verse would guarantee a person a life of happiness and gratitude: an elevated and spiritual life.

(Growth Through Tehillim: Exploring Psalms for Life Transforming Thoughts, p. 94)

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#588 Visiting The Ill

When you visit someone who is ill, you could be doing that person a great service: maybe even save that person's life. You can give hope and encouragement or help with practical matters, that they could not do on their own. You might be able to find out that this person needs the type of medical attention that he would not be able to receive on his own, or he might not have realized that he needed to do more than he is doing.

 Go out of your way to find people who are ill, who would greatly appreciate your visit. If you cannot visit someone in person, call him up and wish him well, or write and let him know that you are thinking about him and care about his welfare.

(Growth Through Tehillim: Exploring Psalms for Life Transforming Thoughts, p. 99)

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#589 The Power of Thoughts

There is tremendous power in our thoughts. Those who use the biofeedback machine called EMP (Electro-myograph) find that the muscle tension of one's muscles changes, even before one says something. Just thinking about saying something immediately changes the tension of the muscles. Your muscles constantly emit electrical energy that is measured in micro-volts (a millionth of a volt), and when you think of saying something that causes you tension, your muscles become tense and they give off more electricity. When you think of saying something that is calming and relaxing, your muscles immediately become more relaxed and give off less electricity. Anyone who uses such a machine can see the power of thoughts in action.

 Note: Using a mirror isn't as sophisticated. But when you think thoughts and then look in a mirror, you will get visual feedback. Observe the difference in your facial expressions when you access negative and non-resourceful states compared with when you access joyful or serene states.

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#590 True Wealth

What is truly valuable? Spiritual wealth. When you nourish your soul in this world, your soul is truly wealthy, for all eternity.

 The good deeds that one does are eternal. A person with financial wealth can transform this into spiritual wealth by doing many acts of kindness with his money. He can help worthy institutions and causes. He can help individuals in financial need. He can support Torah and those who study it.

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#591 Clear Your Mind

Before prayer clear things between you and your Creator by asking Him for forgiveness for the wrongs you have done. Then, your mind and soul will be ready for all the benefits of prayer to body and soul. In prayer you have an encounter with the Almighty: clear your mind and allow yourself to savor the experience.

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#592 A Pure Heart

"Create a pure heart for me, o G-d, and a steadfast spirit renew within me." (Psalms 51:12)

 This is a very moving verse that many great people would repeat over and over again. It is both a prayer and an affirmation. When you repeat it over and over again, the message of this verse becomes integrated and internalized. You are expressing your fervent desire to have a pure heart. You are asking for a renewal of your spirit.

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#593 Influencing Others

The first step in successfully influencing someone to stop doing wrong and to begin to do good is to sincerely care about this person's well-being. When you have a profound concern for another person then regardless of exactly what you say, that person will experience your sincere caring. However you think and feel, that is the way you will talk. When you are motivated by sincere concern, what you say will be more conducive to effective results.

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#594 Creating Positive Feelings

If you are ever feeling sad or dejected, there is a faster and better way to create a more positive feeling that to simply wait until the feelings change through happenstance. There are a few basic choices with a multitude of variations. You can take positive actions. Perform a mitzvah and experience joy for the good deed you are doing. Also, you can remember the good in your life and the positive things that have happened to you in the past. If need be, you can find a positive lens through which to see your present distress.

(Growth Through Tehillim: Exploring Psalms for Life Transforming Thoughts, p. 124)

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#595 Casting Your Burdens

"Cast your burden upon Hashem, and He will sustain you." (Psalms 55:23)

 Everyone in the world has burdens. Some are heavier than others: some are lighter. You cannot always tell how heavy someone else's burden is; you only have the subjective experience of your own. But know, with clarity, that just as you have burdens, so does everyone else.

 Here we have the ultimate advice on how to handle your burdens: do not do it alone. You never have to do it all yourself. As a matter of fact, it's impossible to do it all yourself. You can call upon the Almighty, your Father, your King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe to help you. Our verse tells us that you can give over your entire load of baggage to Hashem, and He will sustain you.

(Growth Through Tehillim: Exploring Psalms for Life Transforming Thoughts, p. 129)

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#596 Wiser Choices

If you make a serious mistake, and you see that the consequences of that mistake are truly terrible, you still have a choice. As long as you are alive, you can decide at this very moment to make wiser and more elevated choices.

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#597 Pouring Out Your Heart

 When you are in emotional turmoil and distress, verbalizing your thoughts and feelings lets off steam. Talking to someone who cares about you and understands you melts away stress, tension, and emotional pain. Pouring your heart out to your loving Father and powerful King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe is a wonderful way to release the negative energy that you are feeling. After pouring out your heart, your heart becomes lighter.

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#598 Rejoicing of the Righteous

'The righteous one will rejoice in Hashem.' (Psalms 64:11)

If someone recently experienced a great thing in his life: he just got the job of his dreams, he won a great award, he had his first child or grandchild, the person whom he or she was hoping to marry said yes, that house that he considered ideal just became available at a price he could afford, then one's thoughts will be totally focused on the good thing.

Regardless of where a person is, the outside circumstances are not where his mind is. His mind is full of joyful celebration, whether he is by himself or with others.

Such is the mind of the righteous. They are always thinking of Hashem. They are thinking thoughts of studying Torah, or praying to Hashem, and reciting blessings for all the good in their lives, and thoughts of kindness which is emulating the ways of Hashem by being kind to His children. Thinking of Hashem gives them joy, and they are always thinking of Hashem. This is an amazing goal toward which to strive.

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#599 Long-Lasting Pleasure

If people who only seek worldly pleasures would be more aware of what they would gain in terms of living a joyful life by gaining a mitzvah-orientation to life, they would upgrade their entire way of thinking and acting. They want pleasure and joy, and they would realize that the way to long-lasting pleasure and joy is rejoicing in Torah and mitzvos.

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#600 Your Tone is a Tune

 Every time you speak to another person, your tone of voice is either going to be similar to pleasant music or to distressful notes. When a person is frustrated or angry or overwhelmed, the tone of voice emits very different music than when a person is calm and serene, happy and joyful, kind and compassionate.

 If someone would have to sing at his best professionally, regardless of how he felt a few minutes earlier, he knows that he has to put himself into the state of singing well. The more important the reason for singing well, the more motivated he would feel to do the best job he possibly could. That should be our attitude when speaking to another child of the Almighty. We are speaking in the presence of the Creator to one of His children. Speak with a tone of voice that is conducive to harmony with others.