Tag Archives: inspiration

Quoting: Shrink Problems Down to Size

The best way to gain a proper perspective about life is to visit a cemetery.

You might have many problems, but that is part and parcel of being alive. Compared to those buried in the cemetery, just how serious are your difficulties?

Learn to have a sense of proportion to events. If you fail to do so, you might react with equal levels of distress to someone’s spilling soup on your clothes as you would to news of the outbreak of global nuclear warfare.

Today, when something bothers you, ask yourself: “On a scale of one to 100 (with 100 applying to nuclear war), what number would I give this situation?”

You’ll find with this perspective that many potential mountains will easily shrink to molecules.

Rabbi Nachum of Huradna used to say, “If I had already died and the Almighty told me I could come back to life again, imagine how happy I would be. Now that I am alive, I should feel that same joy!”

Sources: see Chayai Hamussar, vol.2, p. 176, 200; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.65

Quoting: Feel Secure In Your Value

A king arose in the middle of the night and fixed the wick of a lamp to prevent it from extinguishing. His subjects asked him, “Why did you not ask us to do it?”

“I was the king when I arose, and I was still the king when I went back to sleep,” he replied.

The lesson: Someone who is aware of his value does not worry about losing it.

Sources: Orchos Tzadikim, ch.2; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.131

Quoting: Reassess Your Value

Low self-image usually forms at an early age. A person might have had excessively critical parents or teachers, failed to get along well with other children, or received low marks in school.

Though this attitude was formed long ago, the only reason it lasts in the present is because a person now keeps repeating it to himself. Yet he has the ability to tell himself, “In the past I may have judged myself to be inferior, but I will now think for myself and appreciate my true value.”

Being aware of the source of poor self-image makes it easier to challenge the assumptions upon which it is based. It is possible that while you had certain faults in the past, you presently are learning to overcome them.

Or, perhaps the people who judge you unfavorably were using a yardstick that you do not presently accept. For example, in school a student is usually judged by the marks he receives on tests. Some students with low grades worked hard to understand, and more importantly may have internalized the concepts and practiced them to a greater degree than others who received higher grades. As a child, the diligent student with poor grades might have felt inferior, but as an adult he has the ability to appreciate how he may have really accomplished more.

-from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s, “Gateway to Happiness,” p.129

Quoting: Get Up and Continue

There is a very serious mistake that many people make when they think about the perfection of the great scholars and righteous people of the past. They focus solely on the end result of all the years these great people spent working on themselves and overlook the conflicts they had to overcome. The impression is given they were born great and needed no effort to become that way. We do not know about all their inner battles or their falls and mistakes along the way. The result of this is that when a strongly motivated person with high aspirations comes across obstacles and pitfalls he becomes discouraged and feels like giving up. The truth is that everyone feels downhearted at times. Do not expect your path to be an easy one. Regardless of how many times you fall, keep getting up and continue striving and you are guaranteed success in the end.

Sources: Pachad Yitzchok, Igros Uksovim, p.217; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.379

Quoting: Don’t Identify with your Possessions

When your property or possessions sustain some damage or loss, work on yourself to accept the Almighty’s judgment with love. Realize you were born without any belongings, and you will eventually leave the world without belongings. You need not identify with your possessions since they are not an integral part of you.

Sources: Raishis Chochmah – Sha’ar Ha’anava; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.252

Quoting: Consider the Effect of Your Words

When you focus on the outcome of your words, you will be careful not to insult others. Imagine the harm you are causing yourself by turning this person against you! Practically speaking, you never know when you will need this person’s help or friendship.

Of course, we should avoid hurting people with words because it’s the right thing to do. But at least we should do so out of enlightened self-interest!

Sources: see Vilna Gaon – Proverbs 11:12; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin – “Consulting the Wise”

Quoting: Feel Grateful For What You Have

Feel joy with what the Almighty has given you, and do not focus your thoughts on what He has not given you.

Imagine how you would feel if you gave someone a present (although you had no obligation to do so), and he immediately complained that you didn’t give him twice as much! You would certainly regret having given him anything.

Failure to appreciate what the Almighty gives you is behaving in a similar manner.

Today, write a list of things you feel you have overlooked appreciating in the past. Be resolved to start feeling grateful for those things.

Sources: see Dubner Maggid; Sefer Hamidos: shaar hasinah, ch.2; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.37

Quoting: Elevate the World with You

Since you are part of the planet, and also part of the entire universe, by your making yourself a more joyous and serene person, our planet and the entire universe is automatically a more joyous and serene place. By your reacting in an elevated manner, the world has become a better place. Let this thought empower you. This will broaden your feeling of self-importance and increase the value of what you say and do.

Sources: see Rav Zelig Pliskin’s “Anger: The Inner Teacher,” p.340

Quoting: Feel Joy in Improving Your Character

For a wise person, there is no greater joy than that of improving his character traits. When someone reaches this level, he can feel joy even when someone insults him – because he has worked himself free of all animosity and resentment.

Take pleasure every time you: – control yourself from getting angry – are patient with others – overcome your desires – react positively instead of with envy about someone else’s accomplishments.

Sources: see Chazon Ish – Emunah U’bitochon, 4:15; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s “Gateway to Happiness,” p.110

Quoting: Have the World in your Pocket

Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Parshischo said that every person should have two slips of paper in his pocket.

On one should be written: “The world was created for me.”

On the other should be written: “I am but dust and ashes.”

The trick is to have the wisdom to know which slip of paper to read at the right time.

Sources: Simchas Yisroel, p.41; Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Happiness, p.126