Clarity: 8 Ways to Get More of It

Dear Friends,

Many times we struggle with how to deal with the challenges in our lives and wonder how we can get more clarity.

Clarity: 8 Ways to Get More of It

Have a great week,

Yaakov

How to Overcome Your Challenges: 10 Ways

Dear Friends,

We all have challenges. The question is do we become despondent over them or make an action plan to overcome them?

How to Overcome Your Challenges: 10 Ways

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Kislev: Gratitude

Dear Friends,

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

Rosh Chodesh Kislev begins Wednesday night, the 7th of November and lasts for two days.

During this month we celebrate the festival of Chanukah, which commemorates the miracle of the oil, the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks and the rededication of the Second Temple. A key message of the festival is expressing gratitude to God for the miracles He performs for us.

Each day, either at the beginning of the day or before going to sleep, spend time feeling grateful for the blessings your Creator gave you. Thank Him for His many gifts, for the bright side/silver lining of your difficulties, and for signs of His help amidst your challenges. Consider inputting this daily practice of expressing gratitude into your checklist.

In addition, express your appreciation to others. You can do this in person, on the phone, via a quick email or text, or with a written note.

The readings for this month focus on Chanukah and related themes. For additional discussion on gratitude, see the first tool in, “6 Tools to Enhance Your Mood.”

Questions for the month:

“What is something I am very grateful to God for? What can I say to Him to express my appreciation?”

“Who is someone who has helped me? How can I express my appreciation?”

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

Yaakov

How to Respond Effectively to a Tragedy or Crisis

Dear Friends,

We are all shaken by the shooting this past Shabbat in a Pittsburgh Synagogue. We pray that God heal those who were injured and comfort those who lost loved ones.

How to Respond Effectively to a Tragedy or Crisis

Let us all pick one area to strengthen, at least for this week, perhaps learning Torah for a few extra minutes each day, praying with more concentration, or spending extra time helping others. 

Have a good week,

Yaakov

Surrendering to God: 3 steps to transcend your ego

Dear Friends,

A key part of prayer is surrendering to God, realizing that we can't do anything without His help.

Surrendering to God: 3 steps to transcend your ego

Have a great week,

Yaakov

What Happens to Our Seemingly Unanswered Prayers?

Dear Friends,

What Happens to Our Seemingly Unanswered Prayers?

Have a great week,

Yaakov

Cheshvan: Prayer

Dear Friends,

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

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan begins Monday night, the 8th of October and lasts for two days.

On the 7th of Cheshvan, in Israel, prayers for rain begin. For this month, focus on enhancing your prayers. You can pick a section of the prayers to say daily with understanding and input this into your checklist. In addition or instead, you can recite daily one Psalm with understanding (longer Psalms can be read over two to three days).

(If you do not yet pray daily, open up a prayer book and see if any of the prayers resonate with you, or better yet, ask your rabbi or spiritual mentor for a suggestion; recite that prayer every day. Alternatively, read daily from the book of Psalms. There are many excellent English translations available with varied formats; choose one that works best for you.)

One type of prayer, popularized by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, is called Hitbodedut; this is where we talk out loud to God in our native language, unburdening ourselves to Him. Try this daily practice for at least a week, preferably a month. See if it helps you feel closer to God and to feeling His comfort and support.

Part of upgrading our prayers is showing reverence for the sanctuary, and not talking during the prayer service.

Even while we pray for help in specific areas of our lives, we surrender to God, acknowledging that only He knows what is truly best for us.

Questions for the month:

“Which section of the prayers will I focus on saying this month with understanding? Or, what else can I do to enhance my prayers?”

“What issues are weighing on my mind that I can informally speak to God about?”

“How can I enhance the reverence I show for the sanctuary?”

Article:

How to Unlock the Hidden Power of Prayer

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

Yaakov