Daily Lift by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

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#601 Joy: The Natural State

The natural state of a human being is joy. Joy is a healthy state: healthy for us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Lack of joy comes from thinking in ways that block your joy. Different people have different obstacles to their joy. It is easy to blame other people, circumstances, or situations for one's lack of joy, but the only reason that other people, circumstances, and situations might cause a lack of joy is because of the way that one views those factors. The one who views everything in his life as an integral part of his service to the Almighty, will experience joy in dealing with whatever arises. "This, too, is part of my mission in this world."

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#602 Focus On What's Right

Some people mistakenly think they have a natural need for approval and there is nothing they can do to overcome it. The truth is that the adult need for approval is based on demand. If a person decides he needs only his own approval and not that of others, he is able to focus on the question, "What is the proper thing for me to do now?" He does not ask himself, "How will other people look at me?"

This change in focus can be difficult, but once you accept it is possible, you will be able to change your attitude.

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603 Fears: Realistic and Irrational

Learn to differentiate between realistic fears and irrational fears. Similarly, differentiate between true trust in the Almighty and folly.

We have an obligation to guard ourselves from potential harm. Failure to behave in a wise manner and opening oneself to danger is not trust in God, but recklessness. Such a person is behaving contrary to the will of the Creator Who wants us to guard ourselves from harm.

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#605 Use Only Your Pleasant Voice

Use a pleasant tone of voice when speaking with others.

We all sound much different when we speak with our best tones of voice that we do at our worse. You recognize this more when someone speaks to you. Every time you don't like the tone of voice that someone uses when speaking to you, let it serve as a reminder to speak in a pleasant tone of voice to others.

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#606 Mentally Prepare for a Difficult Situation

Think of any difficult situations that are likely to arise today. Mentally prepare yourself right now to handle them with clear thinking.

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#607 At Least Don't Be Discouraged

Realize that if you ever feel discouraged, your attitude of discouragement is a greater problem than any external hardship.

You can change your attitude.

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#608 An Encouraging Word

A kind word can last forever. An encouraging word can be the foundation upon which many constructive years will be established. Enhancing the self-image of a child with a brief but powerful comment can create a magnificent human being. Words that inspire function like the fuel that enables the rocket to fly high and far.

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#609 The Power of a Word

When your words are intended to uplift, encourage, influence, motivate, and inspire -- be aware that what you say can endure for many years. The ensuing benefits can help multitudes of individuals and families for many generations. Your words are powerful. Use them wisely.

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#610 Virtue Is Its Own Reward

Some people complain they are not appreciated for what they do for others. This is a concealed form of approval-seeking. While it is normal to want to feel appreciated, to demand appreciation is to cause yourself suffering.

Anyone can do kindness for honor. It is a mark of an elevated person to do kindness when he knows he will not receive any praise in return. Instead of telling yourself, "How awful that my hard work is not appreciated," tell yourself, "I can take pleasure in knowing that I help others even though they do not express proper appreciation."

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#611 Serenity Is Emotional Freedom

Imagine how wonderful it would be if you could learn to be consistently serene. Serenity is emotional freedom and a general sense of well-being. It is a calm state of mind and body. When you are serene, your brain functions at its optimal level and you think at your best. Serenity is conducive for health and for recovery. Even a tiny bit of serenity is precious.

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#612 Let Us Do Our Share

The realization that our own strength may be inadequate should never cause us to sink back into inertia. Never refrain from a good endeavor because the difficulties involved seem insurmountable. Keep in mind that we have a mighty Helper in the Almighty in all our good endeavors. Let us do our share; the Almighty will do the rest.

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#613 Focus On The Future

Many complaints people have against one another are about the past and have no future relevance. Many of the questions that begin with, "Why didn't you...?" fall into this category.

Learn to keep your focus on what is relevant for the future. Whatever was, was -- and no amount of blaming will change what has already happened.

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#614 Responsibleness - the Greatest Gift

Your attitude toward limitations and disabilities determines to what degree they cause you suffering.

Rabbi Elchonon Hertzman writes that he once met someone who was especially intelligent and knowledgeable, and also partially paralyzed. Although he moved around in a wheelchair, he was extremely calm and patient. He ran a large business and accomplished great things.

One day Rabbi Hertzman heard his story: The handicapped man came from a wealthy home and his parents could afford all the help they wished. Nevertheless, they planned that they would not allow their son's physical defect to be a deterrent factor in his life. They forced him to do everything by himself. They made him cook and clean and do everything he needed without the assistance of anyone else.

At first, the neighbors thought that the parents were exceedingly cruel. They later realized that by instilling in their son the attitude that he could do whatever he had the confidence he could do, the parents had given him the greatest gift possible.

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#615 Anger Is Often Premature

There are many situations in life that at first seem as if they are bad for us, but eventually we look back and see how we benefited from what happened. A basic Torah principle is that everything that happens is ultimately for our good (Talmud - Brachot 60b).

Since you would not get angry at someone who helped you, do not get angry at others who "harmed you" -- as it is premature to make a judgment that this person has actually harmed you in the long run.

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#616 As We Think, So We Are

Regardless of where a person actually is physically, he is really where his thoughts are. A person constantly has a choice to think elevated and uplifting thoughts - or negative, self-destructive thoughts. How old you feel is greatly dependent on your attitude about yourself. Elderly people can increase their vitality and vigor by considering themselves young.

We constantly talk to ourselves. We can choose to be our own best friend by telling ourselves positive thoughts, or our own worst enemy by repeating negative thoughts.

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#617 Feel Spiritual Pleasures

A person can easily feel the pleasure of giving into negative desires. When a person finds it difficult to overcome his desires, it is because he lacks an equal feeling of pleasure in spiritual matters.

So to overcome negative desires, we need to feel the pleasure of Torah study as a balance. That's why the prayer recited daily for the mitzvah of Torah study asks to feel the sweetness of Torah study.

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#618 As We Believe, So We Are

What a person believes about himself and his abilities is a self-fulfilling prophecy. A person who does not consider himself "important" will not free himself from negative habits.

Believing you are inferior, untalented, unimportant or incapable, influences your abilities. If you view yourself as unable to do things, you will be unable to do them. On the other hand, if you see yourself as talented, capable, and important, your self-concept will open up powers and talents that would have otherwise remained dormant.

Hardly anyone utilizes his entire capabilities. We can accomplish much more than we realize. By raising the perception of your capabilities, you will accomplish more.

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#619 Show You Care

A caring person is an elevated person. It is a great act of kindness to express your caring for people who might not realize that you care about them.

Today, think of three people who would greatly appreciate your sincere caring. Be resolved to let them know that you care about them as soon as possible.

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#620 Peace & Pleasure

All the possessions and pleasures of the world are only valuable to the extent they are accompanied by peace of mind. A person who has tremendous riches and can gratify all of his desires, will nevertheless suffer if he lacks peace of mind.

As a rule, the power-hungry and the status-seekers lack this obvious realization. Why work on obtaining power and status when you have the ability to work on something that is much more precious? A peaceful mental attitude and serenity of the soul are the most important factors for happiness.

It is related that when an ancient emperor was about to sail for Italy, an advisor asked him what his ultimate plans were. "To conquer Rome," he replied. "What will be after that?" "To conquer Carthage, Macedonia, and Greece." "And after you have conquered all that, what are your plans?" Then I will be able to spend my life in peace and comfort." "But," queried the wise advisor, "why not be in peace and comfort right now?"

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#621 Increase Your Empathy

In order to empathize with the suffering of others, make mental images. When someone experiences suffering and pain, make a picture in your mind as if it were happening to you. Whatever you would want other people to do for you in such a situation, you should do for others.

This is the way to master the attribute of compassion and sharing the burden of others. Compassion may cause us a bit of pain, but it enables us to alleviate the far greater pain of others. Because when someone sees that you are suffering with him or her, it helps alleviate some of their pain.

Today, think of someone you know who is in great pain. Then ask yourself how such a person would most appreciate your help.

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#622 True Empathy

When you want to comfort and encourage someone who is brokenhearted and discouraged, do not just act dryly, saying the correct words but without your soul being involved. Do not just mutter platitudes and the standards formulas that people use in these situations.

Rather, comfort them with the completeness of your heart and with your entire soul. Your inner love should be manifest in a sincere smile and manner of speech. Fill your heart with enough love and kindness that these attributes will overflow. Only then will you be successful in alleviating the bitterness and depression.

Next time someone needs comforting, focus on these points and see the difference that it makes.

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#623 Gauge Your Empathy

For a gauge of your empathy level, ask yourself: If a newspaper writes derogatory information against someone, do you enjoy reading it, or do you feel the pain and suffering of the person who it was written against?

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#624 Be Independently Wealthy

Attachment makes you emotionally dependent. Become free. Give up your attachments. Allow your happiness in life to be dependent on your own mind and not on anything external. Attachments are normal. We all become attached to people, possessions, our environment and usual circumstances. A master of happiness will appreciate what he or she has while they have them and the moment any specific thing is gone or lost, the focus will be on other things to appreciate and be grateful for. At times, this could be gratitude for the memories that remain. Material and physical objects are temporary, memories are forever.

A master at non-attachment has nothing to worry about. Worry comes from dependence on things remaining the way you wish them to be.

Some people are concerned, "But if I am not attached to something, I won't enjoy it." Just the opposite. You will enjoy it more while you have it. It's like passing by a beautiful garden or sunset. You enjoy the moment. You don't own it and aren't attached to it. Therefore your enjoyment of it is total and complete.

A spiritual consciousness is that as long as it is the will of your benevolent omniscient and omnipotent Father in Heaven that you should have something, you will have it. When your having it has served your ultimate mission in life, you no longer need this. You need other things. And you will always have exactly what you need to fulfill your purpose in this world.

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#625 Happiness Is Healthy

Sadness and depression cause many illnesses and much damage. It is of utmost importance to think positive thoughts and obtain happiness.

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#626 Feeling Wealthy

To feel wealthy, you need to feel you have everything you want. A person who overcomes his desires for things he cannot afford or obtain considers himself wealthy regardless of how others would rate him.