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

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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

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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.

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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

Great book

I read some of this book called Geula B'Rachamim(redemption with mercy) by Pinchos Winston, and definitely recommend it. The author's words enhance the shemona esrei prayer so we say it with more meaning. Plus, the book overall generally helps to yearn and look forward to the future. He mentions toward the end of the book that to bring the redemption closer, we have to really show we want it.
You know how people get comfortable where they are and don't really feel a need for change. However, we really need this. And he says that we should seek it now, rather than when you are desperate.

Our prayers can really make a difference.

Torah.org is giving it for free, here's the link
Geula B'Rachamim


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step by step

Success might be slow,

but baruch Hashem for every small achievement

I have

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Listen up my soul by David Dome

Beautiful song by David Dome

Times are sometimes challenging, but there's always hope.
We are all important and can make a difference with Hashem's help

putting it in perspective

Recently last week, someone screamed at me and really got on my nerve. I kept thinking about it contiuously. I felt, I should have called them back to let them know that 'so and so' is coming so they know. I could have avoided this incident.
Later on, I remembered something that I did a few days beforehand. I screamed at my sister when I should have controlled myself. I had a feeling later something might come around to me, but didn't really expect it. Later, that incident happened with a different person towards me. It made sense now. I couldn't have stopped it, I wasn't meant to call them back, but instead receive measure for measure the same thing I did. My anger melted away because I now understood it was an atonement. Baruch Hashem for clearity
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The secret to inspiration

Great Shavuot message


Or go here
http://www.aish.com/h/sh/t/48969201.html

Keeping them on the right track

A while ago while at Touro LA, some classmates and I took a class where we researched information and then discussed some ways to help Jewish youth.
The situations we studied were for example,

One situation is where the home environment might Not be enjoyable. They just feel the strictness of do's and don'ts, but they don't see the beauty in their heritage, and they look for something different. To improve this, we need to add some warmth and joy to the environment, so they want to continue it when on their own.

There's also those that feel intellectually frustrated if their questions are not answered. For this, we should take the time to talk to them and find information to help them strengthen their knowledge and emunah

Another scenario is when some individuals go to college and find out things that go against what they learned. If they don't have a strong foundation, this can hurt them. One of my classmates suggested that before this person goes to college, they should be told beforehand what they might encounter, for example, "They believe in evolution where.....but we don't because....."

There are also teens that get turned off when they see a bad example of someone who should know better, and yet acts poorly. Obviously, we all make mistakes, but it still gives them a negative impression, which is why we need to be careful with middos and behavior.

Something that a friend mentioned to me recently is that Some students have a hard time keeping up with the learning. For example, they might not be ready to learn Gemorah yet, and need some time learning something else before that. And so they should given something that's more on their level so they can thrive.
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Well I hope this message helps. Of course, there are plenty of other scenarios that also occur. I know that this message is easier said than done. It takes time, effort, patience and prayer. May Hashem help our good efforts succeed in making a good impact
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Our gift and oppertunity