Saturday, March 26, 2016

3-Dimensional Acceptance: A Pathway to Peace and Power

Dear Friends,

One of the tools to enhancing our mood, the focus of this month, is learning the art of acceptance. Here's how:
3-Dimensional Acceptance: A Pathway to Peace and Power 

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Saturday, March 19, 2016

The 2 Forms of Divine Providence: Purim and Passover

Dear Friends,

Purim begins this Wednesday night.
Purim and Passover teach us key principles of faith. The article below, explores this connection between the two holidays.

The 2 Forms of Divine Providence: Purim and Passover

Have a great week and a Happy Purim!

Yaakov

Saturday, March 12, 2016

How to Stop Hating and Start Loving Yourself

Dear Friends,

Part of enhancing our joy, the focus of this month, is feeling good about yourself. If a person doesn't feel good about themselves, how can they be happy?

You have accomplished much to feel good about!

Here's an updated article on this topic:
How to Stop Hating and Start Loving Yourself

This article can be helpful even if you don't "hate" yourself, but you could benefit from having a better relationship with yourself (most people).

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Adar II: Continuing to Enhance Our Joy

Dear Friends,

This post is about the Jewish month of Adar II, as it relates to The Chazak Plan: A 12 Month Journey to Spiritual Strength.

This year is a Jewish leap year which means that there are two Adars: Adar I and Adar II. Purim is celebrated during the second Adar.

Rosh Chodesh Adar II begins this Wednesday night, the 9th of March, and lasts for two days.

Our Sages teach that with the arrival of Adar we increase our joy, culminating in the festival of Purim. Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people during the Persian exile.

While we do not have direct control over our moods, the following are six tools which can be helpful in enhancing them: Gratitude, acceptance, self-compassion, expressing ourselves, addressing festering issues and making lifestyle enhancements. Many times, even using just one tool will help us feel better and increase our enjoyment of life. For more info, see 6 Tools to Enhance Your Mood.

After reading the above article, choose one tool which you will utilize this month. (It can be the same one or a different one than what you chose last month.) Then, decide on the one change, technique or behavior, related to that tool, you will do on a daily or regular basis, for at least this month. You can add it to your checklist and track how often you do it.

Questions for the month:

“What do I think is most negatively affecting my emotional health? How will I address it?”

“What will I do this month to enhance my emotional health/mood and become a happier person?”

Take care and may God grant us success in the coming month,

Yaakov