Helping

7 ways that we can help Israel. We can each make a difference when we stand together and with Hashem

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3087579/jewish/6-Things-You-Can-Do-for-Israel-Today.htm

Have a great year everyone 
 Here's a
Beautiful Article with practical advice for the holidays and new year

Israel's Rollercoaster

These days are very difficult and it feels frustrating and hopeless. We should remember to continue to have hope and be strong.  The dawn will come soon.
  May our unity and prayers help to bring the redemption

Video, Israel's rollarcoaster

-

Making progress

Every year we choose something to work on and later the enthusiasm fades.  What helps is to choose a small goal and do one step at a time. For example, being careful with our words, and learning shemirat halashon, what to say and not say. Or some other trait(middah) or mitzah. We don't have to be perfect, just keep trying to make an effort forward. Every effort counts. 


Shana tovah  everyone 

Chanukah

"Chanukah's Secret to Greatness"

http://www.aish.com/h/c/mm/sf/78962817.html

have a happy Chanuka
-

Shana tovah

Well, the high holidays are approaching and we are in that time where we each need to find what we need to improve on.  One of the things we can do is be careful with what we say, whether it's Loshon hara, (gossip) or some other hurtful words.  Words have a bigger impact than we know, therefore we should learn and make an effort to be careful, thereby keeping relationships strong plus receiving blessing from the mitzvah of guarding our tongue.  Here's a good site where we can learn 'A lesson a day' http://chofetzchaim.shemayisrael.com/lesson/lesson2.htm

Have a shanah tovah, happy new year everyone

It could be

Sometimes we read about calculations about when the Geula will arrive and we are not sure whether or not it will happen this time because the other times it didn't. I feel however that even though we are not completely redeemed yet, there are many oppertunities where we can be. Instead of thinking it's not going to happen, we should each work toward making it happen. Each of us can make a difference. Whether with prayer, mitzvos, learning, middos, emunah, unity ... so on. We should show that we really want it and take steps towards it.

happiness, blessings and gratidude

When we pause and say a blessing before we eat, or for something else, we acknowlege our gratitude to Hashem for providing and taking care of us. And while things may be challenging at times, we should focus on what we have instead of what we don't.

Yedid Nefesh

Beautiful song of the soul yearning to connect to Hashem

Starting anew

Is the January 1 significant? Yes

A message about using each day to improve and grow

Miracle

The Maccabeats singing a Matisyahu song.
Also featuring Mayim Bialik who pretends to be a Maccabeat.

Chanuka reminds us that it is Hashem that runs the world. While things might seem impossible, really anything is possible if G-d wills it, for example a small group defeating a huge army.

Divine Providence, hashgacha pratis is all around, we just need to keep our eyes open and listen to the messages around us, whether it be a personal message or collective one.

Happy Chanuka
Lets spread some light

-

my loose lips

I use to Not find it so difficult to keep shemiras haloshon. I didn't really have much to talk about others. But nowadays, I find it harder to keep because things have changed like a friend that came back into my life. I talk about them to others, but know I shouldn't. The good thing is that maybe now I'll receive more points by guarding my tongue since it's harder.

The Chafetz Chaim mentions that when we speak poorly, we block prayers and blessing. But guarding our tongue helps to bring blessing. Of course, there are times when we need to say something to protect people. For that we learn what to say and how.

Well have a good week

love of Hashem

When things are pleasent, we thank Hashem for the enjoyable moment. And when things are challenging, we try to trust that things are for the best. From Tehillim 92
Example of the 2nd
I was engaged, but it didn't work out. It was a mutual decision and we cried while speaking. I know that it's better that it happened beforehand BH, rather than later.

Or I might be in an annoying sitution, but I try to see what I can learn from it, like so and so helped me to be more assertive.
I use to want my days to be perfect, but that doesn't happen, except once in a while. There's always some challenge. The thing is to enjoy whatever enjoyable moment we have. And remember that challenges help us to grow.

We can choose to be happy, when we focus on our blessings
And then we increase our love for Hashem

Put it aside and focus productively

During this time, when we want to have a favorable judgement and a good year, lets put aside our grudges about others. It's very hard to do, yes. But it's worth it at least for our own sake.

People can sometimes be annoying. But we shouldn't let that ruin our day. We need to focus on more productive things. Life can be misrable or enjoyable depending on how we look at it.

While it's hard for us Jews to completely come together, each of us personally can make an effort to find the good in people around us and build our ahavas yisrael Shana tovah everyone

-

Becoming Partner

When we are aware of what we need to improve on, we can really go forward to overcome things and reach our potential. Life can be hard, but G-d believes in us and wants us to become partner

Going forward in life and heritage

Many different things in this world are tempting, and the yetzer hara plays on those desires all around us, especially when someone's religious practice is rote and feels dry. Plus, many different negative situations are going on around us, one could fall through the cracks, G-d forbid.

here are 4 tips to help to bring meaning and fulfillment for our self and our family

1. Sometimes prayer and practices needs more soul. When we work on this our self, plus inspire others to have kavanah, it becomes uplifted. For example, finding different ways to help our children feel Hashem's love, and giving them a desire to do what we need to do. - When challenges arise in life, listen and sympathize with them, and help them use challenges to grow. And we should remember that sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference, like a hug.

2 Give them the intellectual stimulation they need to help them improve their knowledge and emunah. Each person is different. We need to give each child what they specifically need to help them enjoyably learn and grow.

3 Be a Good Example of Good Middos and behavior to inspire them to continue going forward.

4 And Pray for assistance, whether to feel it more internally or help someone else. Whether to understand well and give it over. Or to be a good example and positively inspire others---

LETS REALLY DO SOMETHING

We've heard this lesson many times during the three weeks that we need rectify ourselves and unify to bring redemption. The problem is when a person is in the moment, we tend to forget. For example, someone is angry that this person didn't invite them to the wedding. Or someone criticized them and they didn't like it, or two people are arguing and feel defensive and angry. And many other situations.....

What we each need to work on is understanding and respect. This takes a lot of practice, but we can succeed if we keep trying, be patient with growth, and stay determined. Every effort counts.

The next time you feel offended by someone, or are having an argument, try to understand where they are coming from. If their thinking is faulty, explain nicely why you think so. - If you find they are actually right, admit it.

Now in regards to loshon hara and gossip, think before speaking. Yes it feels good at the moment to say it, but does it need to be said? Our Yetzer hara says yes and tries to justify it. "They insulted you" or "It's just harmless info." The only time we can say it, or listen to it, is if it's for a constructive purpose, like to protect yourself or others from a dangerous situation, for example. And even then, we still need to investigate to see if it's true.

Listening to general gossip is also bad. Even if we are not saying it, we are still accountable for listening, especially if we accept the info. before investigating. - What do you do in a situation where people you are with are saying it? The Chafetz Chaim gives three ideas.

>Tell them to not do it.

< If this won't work, walk away for a while. -

>If you can't leave, make up in your mind that you will Not accept the info.

====

In general, we should each work on being understanding and respectful of each other, especially when it's difficult. - Don't gossip. - Plus, we should continue to make an effort to improve. We might see others who are Not doing much while we are trying hard, but don't get discouraged. We should focus on our own personal growth and be a good example for others. - May Am Yisrael be pleasantly inspired to unite and may the geula sheleima come soon

Lost and found

Sometimes there are certain things that happen that appear to be coincidence, but is really the Hand of Hashem.
We don't know why certain things happen, and why some things don't. But we should remember that He is always there. Sometimes concealed, and sometimes revealed.

"Stop That Cab"
By: Anonymous
Jerusalem, Israel
From http://hashgachapratis.com

I have a habit of checking my pockets whenever I exit a cab, to be sure that I haven’t forgotten anything. Today, as I departed from the cab I patted down my pockets and sent the cab on his way thinking all was well. A moment later I decided to make a phone call (I just happened to decide that I needed to make a phone call at that moment?). I reached into my pants pocket and ‘lo and behold’ NO PHONE. I looked up the road and saw that the cab was stuck at a red light about 200 feet ahead. (It just happened to be red?) I dashed over to the cab, opened the door, retrieved my phone, and thanked G-d!

It's never too late

Video by Mrs. Lori Palatnik
-Even if our kids are grown, there's always hope to still make an impact with the help of Hashem, and with time, effort and patience. Even small yet very caring expressions can make a big difference

Dating and Marriage

I heard some really good tips and decided to share. They are basic, but good to review.

Make sure to have common values and goals and be realistic. Be understanding with some things, but also aware of other things. Ask someone if you're not sure about something.
Communicate so you know how each other feel and what you both want and need. And be very giving to each other.
Plus, we should be direct. For example, if you tell your husband, I have a meeting at 3, he might not know that means pick up the kids. We have to say, pick them up, so he knows-
And when a wife is sad, it's understandable for the husband to want to fix the situation, so he gives a solution. But she really just wants sympathy and encouragement.
Plus, both should show each other appreciation so they strenghthen the relationship.
Well hope this helps