Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

A Note from the Author

Exploring New Territories

The Power of Love and Light

A Whole New World

Benefits of Walking

A Wealthy Beggar

The Eight Spiritual Essentials!

A Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean?

Turning Anxiety into Light!

There Is Hope!

Stress Relief

Seeing an Angel

How

Living with Faith and Freedom

Be In B.A.L.A.N.C.E

Get up, Show Them Who You Are

A Spiritual Vision of Love & Light

Eishet Chayil (A Woman/Person of Strength)

Taking Chances and Moving On

How Can I Get Rid of My Fear?

Changing Curses for Blessings

Loving yourself and the world around you

Rabbi Shai Specht

Be a light to others and you won’t stumble on your own path.

All contents copyright © 2011 by Rabbi Shai Specht.

ISBN 9781610615822 A Love & Light Publication.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or otherwise, by any means without the prior written permission of the author.

In loving memory of my Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman whose great teachings and light shine on.

Foreword

I guess I’m expected to say something complimentary of Reb Shai, but the first thing that comes to mind is that he knows how to make a mountain out of a molehill.

I had just signed up for Twitter and one of my first followers had an awesome tweet on her site. A small thought, 140 characters, a molehill, but the thought planted itself in my mind and became a mountain. It grew on me as I prayed, became larger as I studied, and expanded in my soul as I realized how practical it was in guiding people seeking spiritual guidance. I went back to the tweet and became a follower of Reb Shai. The molehill became a mountain. The quick tweet developed into an important part of my spiritual life. The succinct thought nurtured my heart.

I emailed this stranger, Reb Shai, and requested a short essay on a prayer. I was less interested in the essay than in learning more about this teacher. Reb Shai immediately and generously responded. It happened again; I realized that the tiny avatar was a giant in spirit. I had to meet him, and once again, a short shared coffee became a life changing meeting.

We live in a world in which people make a huge deal out of the smallest things, especially when it comes to negative experiences and words. Reb Shai is so in love with God, Judaism and Torah that he catches the tiny positive experiences and turns them into important practical lessons. The best part of Reb Shai’s teachings is that his approach teaches us how those tiny moments of clarity are indications of the giant soul within us. He expands us. He nurtures us. He heals us.

I urge you to read the “short” pages that follow and allow them to work their magic. You will begin to experience your inner greatness. The tweets will become important lessons. The molehills will grow into mountains.

Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg

The Foundation Stone ™

http://TheFoundationStone.org

New York, New York

Introduction

This little book is jam packed with pearls of wisdom. Drawing on ideas and reflections from rabbinic to biblical to psychological to plain old common sense sources, it offers advice on feeling better, relieving stress, being hopeful, becoming less anxious and improving self-esteem.

Through these pearls of wisdom and several exercises [rabbi does mean teacher] this is a book that will teach you how and why to change your down thoughts and feelings to more positive ones - or as the title suggests: change curses for blessings.

There are stories, personal reflections and commentary that offer guiding examples of what the author is saying.

You need not be Jewish, or even religious, to enjoy and learn from this book.

And you may just decide after reading it that you’d rather be a coffee bean and not a carrot or an egg!

Lynn Dorman, Ph.D.

Portland, Oregon

http://graywolfproductions.com

A Note from the Author

Dear Reader;

We could all use more LOVE in our lives, and the more we give the more we get. This book is a life manual that will take you on a journey of self-exploration and awareness through stories, exercises and words of wisdom.

Samuel ibn Magrela was a Spanish-Jewish poet of the eleventh century who was vizier to the king of Granada. He was cursed one day in the presence of the king, who commanded Samuel to punish the offender by cutting out his tongue. The Jewish vizier, however, treated his enemy kindly, whereupon the curses became blessings.

When the king next noticed the offender, he was astonished that Samuel had not carried out his command. Samuel replied, “I have torn out his angry tongue, and given him instead a kind one.” The Rabbis rightly declare, “Who is mighty? S/He who makes his enemy a friend.” (Avot d'Rabbi Nathan 23)

We can take this statement even further and say "Who is mighty? S/He who makes her/himself a friend." Lack of love for ourselves inhibits our compassion toward others. When we make friends with ourselves, there are no obstacles to opening our hearts and minds to others. Of course we have to walk a fine line between loving/valuing ourselves and being too self-involved/absorbed.

Loving oneself certainly doesn't mean indulging oneself. Loving is an attitude towards yourself that most people don't have, because most people know things about themselves which are not desirable. Everybody has innumerable attitudes, reactions, likes and dislikes which they'd be better off without.

Self Judgment is made and while one likes one's positive attitudes, one dislikes the others. With that comes suppression of those aspects of yourself that you're not pleased with. You don't want to know about them and don't acknowledge them. That's one way of dealing with your-self, which can be detrimental to growth.

Another unskillful way is to dislike that part of yourself which appears negative and every time it arises you blame yourself, which makes matters twice as bad as they were before. With that comes fear and very often aggression.

If you wants to deal with yourself in a balanced way, it's not useful to pretend that the unpleasant part doesn't exist, I am talking about those aggressive, irritable, conceited tendencies.

The charge of "I'm so wonderful" or "I'm so terrible" is defused. We are neither wonderful nor terrible. Everyone is a human being with all the potential and all the obstructions. If you can love that human being, the one that is "me" with all its faculties and tendencies, then you can love others realistically, usefully and helpfully.

If we look at ourselves in that manner, we will learn to love ourselves in a wholesome way. Just as a mother, who at the risk of her life loves and protects her child... Become your own mother! If we want to have a relationship with ourselves that is realistic and conducive to growth, then we need to become our own mother. A sensible mother can distinguish between that which is useful for her child and that which is detrimental, but she doesn't stop loving the child when s/he misbehaves.

This may be the most important aspect to look at in ourselves. Everyone, at one time or another, misbehaves in thought, speech or action. So what do we do with that? What does a mother do? She tells the child not to do it again, loves the child as much as she's always loved her/him and just gets on with the job of bringing up her child. Maybe we can start to bring up ourselves.

When you Love yourself enough, you will move through your Heart to the negative pole, and begin the work of bringing all your negative thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to consciousness.

The energy of your Self-Love will begin the movement of these negative patterns through your heart, and toward the positive pole of your soul. It takes stamina, courage, strength, relentless attention, and great Self-Love, to move from inertia into momentum toward the positive pole.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Thank you for taking the time to read this book, I hope it brings you much Joy!

Love, Light and Blessings,

Rabbi Shai Specht

Exploring New Territories

When the Light is with you all is in order.

Don't be afraid to explore new frontiers/territories, when the Light is with you all is in order. The Light is always with us, we just need to open our eyes/heart/soul. Even in our darkest night the sun comes up in the morning.

Only you can change/decide your path, so grab on to the Light and start the journey. True power comes from knowing yourself and being kind, make this day the best ever and shine your light with strength. Don’t fear your inner Light, embrace it and welcome it in. "Authentic" spirituality knows Love, Light, Inner Peace and Acts of Loving Kindness.

If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is. Sometimes it's hard to understand, just reach out to the Creator who's always on hand. Money glitters, beauty sparkles and the Light shines - let it shine brightly.

Find your truth, let it shine; make sure it doesn't blind others but illuminates their journey. Be a shining Light today, if opportunity doesn't knock... build a door. Only those who can see the invisible, can do the impossible, spirituality is not a crutch it's a pair of wings. Lead by example and by living life to the fullest. Don't wait for someone else to do it, do it yourself and shine the Light.

It only takes one person to make a difference. Are you ready?

Exercise

Find a quiet, comfortable place where you will not be disturbed. Do some breathing exercises (breath in deeply and then exhale slowly until there is no breath. Repeat this process several times).

Imagine that your body is slowly filling with light, starting from the feet and slowly moving upwards.

As the light is moving up your body ----- feel that it relaxing the muscles and your mind.

Repeat the following phrase as the light fills your body:

“I feel the light moving upwards until my entire body is filled with light and every muscle of my body is feeling relaxed.”

Allow The Light to shine brightly through you. Send it to the whole world.

Now, direct the light towards any area of the body that is giving you pain or discomfort (including depression and or self-doubt).

Keep shinning a loving healing light so that all the darkness and pain is removed and you are feeling lighter, brighter, healthier and generally more joyous.

“I radiate my shining light to my body and fill my bodies with this warm healing light.”

“I now radiate this healing light to the world.”

“I begin to feel that this healing light is returning me to health and vitality

I am ready to emanate Love and Light to the world around me.”

The Power of Love and Light

The Three Laughs

A Jewish-Hasidic parable

Once, the disciples of the Baal Shem Tov decided to prepare him a special Sabbath. They worked for days to make sure that everything would be just as it should be, so that the spirit of the Sabbath would descend as it never had before.

At last, a few minutes before sundown on Friday night, they were all seated around a long table with the Baal Shem Tov at the place of honor at the head. The disciple who had been chosen for the special honor of lighting the Sabbath candles stood up and began to light the candles and say the blessing.

"Ha! Ha-ha!" Suddenly, the Baal Shem Tov gave a loud laugh.

The disciple lighting the candles looked around to see what was wrong—if there was something amiss with his clothing, perhaps—but everything was as it should be.

Later, they began the Sabbath meal. They gave the Baal Shem Tov the first bowl of the soup that they had labored so long over.

He tasted it.

"Heh, heh, heh, heh!" He laughed and laughed.

The disciples were appalled. They rushed to taste the soup, but there was nothing in it that tasted...humorous.

Still later, they were singing the Sabbath songs.

Oh, what strength a righteous woman has! There is no treasure rarer than this! Happy is the heart that relies on her, for such a heart can lack for nothing.... Yai, dai, dai, dai, dai, dai, dai, dai....

As they sang, the Baal Shem Tov began to laugh and laugh, as though he could not contain himself.

It was the custom of the disciples that, on Saturday night, after the spirit of the Sabbath had departed, they would choose one question between them, and present it to the Baal Shem Tov. This Saturday, there was no debate as to what question they would ask. "Holy master, why did you laugh during the Sabbath--three times?"

In answer, the Baal Shem Tov said, "Come with me."

All the disciples crowded into the Baal Shem Tov's carriage. He drew the curtains over the windows, and they began to travel swiftly.

Several hours later, when he opened the curtains, they were in a distant village. None of them had ever been there before.

The Baal Shem Tov went to the leaders of the village. "Bring everyone to the village square. Now."

When the Baal Shem Tov stood looking out over that crowd of faces, he said, "There is still one family missing."

After a few minutes, the people realized, "It must be the old bookbinder and his wife. They live on the edge of town; they must not have gotten the word."

When this old man and this old woman entered the village square, and the old man saw who it was who was calling for him, he began to wring his hands. "Oh, Holy Master. I know I have committed a great sin. I only ask forgiveness."

"Bookbinder, tell my disciples and these people gathered here how you spent your Sabbath." Said The Baal Shem Tov.

Fearfully, the old man glanced at the illustrious students of the Baal Shem Tov and began to speak. "I am an old bookbinder. In my youth, I could earn enough that we had what we needed during the week, and something special to greet the Sabbath.

But as I have grown older, there has been less and less. Finally, this Sabbath—for the first time—we had no Sabbath candles—and only a few crusts of bread for a Sabbath meal. My wife was determined that we would observe the Sabbath as well as we were able. And so, just before sundown, she went through the motions of lighting candles that were not there. As she did, I saw...a flash of light. And I understood for the first time that the light that I had thought came only from the candles was also coming from her. I shouted out, 'I love you'—in the middle of the holy blessing! I got control of myself, and went back to observing the Sabbath with due respect. But then later, we were beginning our humble meal. We had only warmed water for soup. But I tasted it. I felt...nourished.

At that moment, I realized that the nourishment—which all these years I had thought came only from the soup—actually came also from her, from our being together through so many Sabbaths. And before I realized what I was doing, I jumped up. I kissed her!

Shocked at my own behavior, I sat back down. I stayed in my seat properly until later, when we sang the Sabbath songs.

Oh, what strength a righteous woman has!

There is no treasure rarer than this!

Singing these words, I realized what a great strength she was in my life.

Happy is the heart that relies on her, for such a heart can lack for nothing....

Suddenly, I knew that, in spite of our great poverty, while I had her in my life, I lacked for nothing.

And then, before I knew what I was doing, I jumped up. I grabbed her by the arms. We began to sing and dance together.

Yai, dai, dai, dai, dai, dai, dai, dai; Yai, dai, dai, dai....

At last, I got control of myself and sat back down.”

The Baal Shem Tov looked at his disciples. "When this man and this woman spent their Sabbath in such deep and holy love, I was there with them, and I shared in their joy.

And when he spoke his love for that woman, not only I but the angels in heaven

Heard—and they smiled. And when he got up and kissed that woman, acting on that

Deep love—the angels in heaven saw them, and they laughed.

And when the two of them joined their hands and sang and danced their joy, the angels themselves began to sing and to dance. And the Eternal Heart itself heard them, and it was warmed.

On a Sabbath of such perfect joy, who wouldn't laugh?"

----------------------------------

When times are hard, it is sometimes difficult to remember that, the things which count are not always material, and the people who make a difference in our lives are the ones we often take for granted. The parable of "The Three Laughs" exemplifies these ideas. We may never know the reasons behind the giving of others. Sometimes it may seem stingy and at other times generous.

Find a spark of light even in the darkest of moments, and your soul will soar. Find excitement in the small things and your life will be richer.

A Whole New World

When our hearts and souls are sick, our bodies get sick as well.

The Kabbalah teaches that the world we live in is a product of our perception of reality, and our attitude toward life, determines the world we live in.

Each of us has a choice. You can choose to believe that this world is filled with the light and presence of the Almighty who guides it and cares about it. Or you can believe that this world is one big accident, a chaotic mess. The choices are totally yours, but remember, what you believe creates what you will see, feel and experience in life.

So the question is: How would I act if I sincerely consciously believed that God's presence filled my life, my home, my world? How would I speak to and treat my family and friends? How would I face the tough times and challenges knowing that the light is with and all around me?

The way to increase our Divine consciousness and invite The Light to pour into our world is by walking the talk - Taking actions such as:

- Helping those in need around us.

- Being more loving and genuine in our daily interactions.

- Smiling at the person next to us in the elevator and saying "hello."

- In general, making a bigger effort to Care/Love

With-out our efforts and consciousness, the light of God can't illuminate our world. We need God and God needs us.

It's amazing when we take off in an airplane on a dark, cloudy, gloomy day, how bright it actually is once we get passed the clouds - the sky is blue and the sun is shining in full force. Always try to remind yourself during dark times in your life that the light is still shining. You just need to pierce through the clouds and let the Sunshine in. The darkness comes only because (and when) something is blocking the light.

It's important to take some time for introspection. It's equally as important to take action and become a Divine Light Shining Partner.

Exercise

In order to begin building or re-building your self-esteem

, you have to accept who you are by reinforcing a positive self-image. If you have grown into the habit of thinking negatively about yourself, you will need to train yourself to achieve the opposite.

The following lists can help remind you of your worth when you are feeling down on yourself:

- 10 things you can do to make yourself laugh. Do at least one a day!

- 10 things you can do to make someone else laugh.

- 10 POSITIVE things about your personality.

- 10 ways to help another person.

After completing these lists, go back periodically and look at them. This will serve as a good reminder of all the positive things you are made of, and will help cheer you up when you’re having a bad, “self-defeating” day.

Benefits of Walking

The Spiritual and Physical

Walking (and exercise) has benefits beyond the merely physical. Many people walk as much for mental and spiritual well-being as for fitness. Can walking make you happy? Can it help you deal with life stress? Can it help you work through relationship problems? Can it lead to a deeper spiritual and religious life? For many, the answer is Yes!

Walking outside has an enormous impact on mood, creativity, and mental clarity.  Because of this, it can get you through failure and loss, get you past rejection, and help you reverse setbacks. Studies have shown that exercise-induced brain chemicals help people think more clearly. In addition to helping you think, taking a walk outside elevates your thought to a higher creative plane.  Somehow, getting moving in the fresh air (or even in city air) gets you out of the box.  Your mind can more easily find new perspectives when you’re in motion out in the world.

Walking reminds you of your connection to all that is. All energy is connected, but when we get wrapped up in the daily intricacies of our “what is” life, we often forget that.  A walk outside can remind you of the vastness to which you’re connected.  Knowing you have all that energy flowing to you, through you, and from you, can give you the sense of power you need to come back from any disappointment. Of course you’ve heard of endorphins.  Walking creates them. Which means that walking boosts your mood?  When your mood is depressed, it’s tough to find the positive aspects that can lead you to solutions and better and better experiences. Studies have shown that regular walking can relieve depression, and that has certainly been my experience.

Walking opens possibilities. When you walk outside, you see so many different things.  You see movement, color and shapes.  You see people and events.  All of this constantly moving sensory input (and even a static setting has this constant

Movement … think of the ocean waves or blowing leaves), taps into your ability to see possibility.  Setback can feel like a static experience, an ending.  Walking can show you just how open the world is. If you’re moving, your energy is flowing.  Your energy is flowing even if you’re not moving, but you’re more aware of it when you’re moving.

Walking gives you time to go deeper and consider fundamental questions: What is the purpose of life? Am I fulfilling my purpose in life? What have I done that has made the world a better place? What ought I do? Have I caused hurt that I should now mend? What comes after life? What is the best way to live the rest of my life? These are questions for believers and nonbelievers alike. The time away from other cares and pressures gives you time to dwell on these fundamentals.

The spiritual benefits of walking address issues such as sense of connectedness, and ability to contemplate deeper values. They are not related to any specific belief system. At the most obvious level, walking gives us time to contemplate and also can be used as a meditation, connecting mind and body.

When we are out walking and see beautiful scenery, we get that sense of wonderment of being alive, especially with the increased vibrancy that comes from being physically fit. Because walking is slower paced than driving or even bicycling, when we see people in our walks, there tends to be a sense of belonging and community which contributes to our spiritual well-being.

Our lives are very busy and it's often hard to find the time to take care of ourselves in this fast-moving world. Small walks are a great way to receive the benefits of walking. If time allows, walk your kids to school. Instead of taking your car to run a short errand, take a walk if the place you are going to is close enough. When it comes to exercise, nothing can really beat walking. After all, it's something we already do every day. It doesn't require any special equipment, and it's something that will benefit the body, and the mind.

A Wealthy Beggar

A Story of Inner Light

One day, Sam, a poor man came home from work tired and exhausted. He begged The Creator for just a little treasure. All of a sudden, Sam noticed a little purse lying near his feet. A heavenly voice said to him: “Take this purse as a gift from Creator. You will find a single coin inside, and the moment you take it out, another coin will take its place – until you throw the purse into the river. The moment you spend the first coin, the purse will lose its magic powers.”

By that evening, Sam had succeeded in gathering a full sack of coins from the purse, but there was no bread left in the house, because he would not spend a single coin to buy food for himself. “I will gather another sack of money, and only then throw the purse into the river and begin to spend the coins.” That day Sam asked a neighbor for bread and on the following day he went out to beg for bread in the streets, because, as he said, “It won’t do me any harm if I fill another sack with coins before I spend the money and throw the wonderful purse into the river.” And so, he continued to beg for bread and to gather coins until the end of his days, never spending anything because he did not want to part with his wonderful purse. Sam died a very rich man and his home was filled with sacks of coins – but he died still a poor beggar.

Sam did not realize that in order to truly change his life, he needed more than just money and material possessions. He failed to realize that what he really needed was a different outlook, a change of direction. Even when his wishes/prayers were answered,

he was “stuck” in a rut and couldn’t see beyond his negative feelings of fear, greed, the self-perception that he was nothing but a poor beggar.

Often, like Sam, we don’t realize our potential and strengths. We wish to have this, and hope to become that. Then, when our prayers are answered, we forget to enjoy what we have. As a result, we keep it all to ourselves and forget to share with world.

It’s easy to get caught up in negativity and self-loathing; sometimes it may even give us comfort. But consider this; instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have, that everyone else is missing. The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. The difference between ‘can’ and ‘cannot’ are only three letters -- Three letters that determine your life’s direction.

Share your inner light without fear or doubt. Light is good from whatever lamp it shines.

The Eight Spiritual Essentials!

Based on the teachings of Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman

Think of these "essentials" as the eight rungs on a ladder leading upward toward greater consciousness.

1. The first rung is to be One with the self, the soul, and ùëéðä Shekinah - Creator's indwelling feminine presence.

2. The second rung is to forgive the past and look forward to the future with Joy and excitement.

3. The third rung is to open the mind, letting the soul fly into unknown space.

4. The fourth rung is to consider what our true mission in life is, and to be totally Alive to that mission

5. The fifth rung is to be ready once again to hear the message given at Mount Sinai, to "love your neighbor as yourself."

6. The sixth rung is to learn the art and science of living spiritually; Healthy in body, mind and soul.

7. The seventh rung is to experience genuine love and know the difference between pleasure, happiness and joy.

8. The eighth rung is to reunite the divided self in order to know the glory of Oneness of the Universe.

One of the most important concepts to remember is that without human effort, the Creator will remain unredeemed. Creator only lives where Creator is invited. In other words, we are responsible for Creator's intervention on earth.

If you want the Creator in your life, all you need to do is call. This is one of the important keys to understanding of spirituality. There's an interactive arrangement between The Light and yourself.

Spirituality is a quest for true knowledge and understanding that will lead you to explore the very depths of your heart and soul in order to receive Love & Light.

May the light always shine brightly on you and may Joy find you at every corner.

Exercise

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Meditate on the following passages and invite The Creator to a dialogue as you do so:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O CREATOR, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

(Psalm 77:12)

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. (Psalm 119:27)

A Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.

It seemed that, as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. In about twenty minutes, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," the young woman replied. The mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened! The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" the mother asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong but, with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, or a financial hardship, does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Turning Anxiety into Light!

A tzaddik (pious person) was asked: “Why is it that a pious person seems less eager to persuade others to become virtuous than a wicked person is to gain companions in wickedness?” He replied: “A pious person walks in light and is not afraid to walk alone, whereas a wicked person walks in darkness and is anxious for company.”

We all have anxiety and feelings of darkness from time to time. When we stop for a moment and open our eyes, we realize that we are not alone – The Light is all around us. The “wicked” person inside of us wants to bring us down and saturates us with negative thoughts, feelings and “what if’s.” While our pious side gently tries to remind us that all we need to do is walk in the light...

So how can we walk in the light?

- Live life with gratitude and don't let the sun set today without seeing it, embracing it, and enjoying it.

- Take the time necessary to get in touch with your soul's desire for freedom and peace.

- Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

- Connect with your Soul ðùîä and enter a journey of total Healing, Harmony and Inner Peace.

Don't rely on others for your happiness, find the Light within and let it shine.

You have all the tools and resources you need, what you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours. Embrace the light and shine it for the world to see.

Exercise

Psalm 139 is a beautiful Psalm meditating on the Boundlessness of Creator. Wherever we are, Creator is always with us – we are never alone. Meditate on this beautiful reflection (Source Unknown) when you need a “pick me up” during the day:

Reflection on Psalm 139

Father/Mother, you know me better than I could ever know myself.

You know in all truth what I have been, what I am, what I will become.

You know me when I love and when I’m selfish.

You know when I succeed and when I fail.

You know everything about me

And yet, Father/Mother, you love me more than I will ever know.

You don’t hold it against me that I fail, or am discouraged.

You try also to show me that I should not hold it against myself,

Because by doing so I will fail to love more.

You are forgiving and loving.

It is beyond my understanding.

I read your word and am inspired,

But then immediately I feel its poverty in my own life.

But Father/Mother, if I do try to escape you, really where can I go?

Deep down I never want to escape you, but at times I try.

Help me to realize that at these times you will support me,

You will send the light needed,

You will send your consolation through another,

You will send your strength and courage.

Creator, my Father/Mother, know my thoughts -

Guide me to you.

You know what I desire

Even though I don’t always move toward my goal

There Is Hope!

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better. Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together.

What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?'

One day at a time--this is enough. Don't look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.

Anyone can give up; it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to be able to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart is true strength. Happiness lies ahead for those who cry those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried because only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.

So what is hope?

Hope is the belief that a positive outcome lies ahead. Hope is a way of thinking, feeling and acting that may help you find ways to live with difficult situations. Hope, is trusting that something bigger than you is out there, loving you and giving you comfort through hard times. Hope is grief's best music. Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." Hope is a universal language.

When you are low with nowhere to go remember this, when you open your eyes, your heart, your spirit, yourself, then you will find the stranger called hope.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong; enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

Stress Relief

When you spend your life putting pressure on yourself to go from start to finish without appreciating and learning along the way, you are doing yourself an injustice. If you can stop and appreciate everything in the middle maybe your journey would not be as stressful.

One of the main reasons you may become stressed is a direct result of having too many thoughts bouncing around in your head. Try choosing your most important thought and concentrate on that first. The rest will follow all in good time.

When you are stressed, you feel overwhelmed and you may not be capable of thinking as clearly as you should. If you feel yourself jumping from task to task, take a deep breath, hold it, and let that stress out. You can accomplish everything if you take one thing at a time.

If you can manage your own life and have complete power over what you wish to achieve, you can actually reduce stress. Separate and focus on your daily goals and set practical expectations of yourself.

Yes, there are times we all feel a little stressed, but it is how you allow yourself to react which will measure your ability to overcome it. If you can find something positive to learn in any situation, you will be able to control your state of well-being.

One of the key elements to overcoming stress is learning how to write down the thoughts you have on your mind. When you can clearly see and organize your thoughts, you may then learn how to manage them one at a time, rather than all at once.

Exercise

Three Steps to follow for a quick dose of stress relief:

1. Go lie down on your bed and take 3 easy breaths.

2. Close your eyes and take 3 easy breaths, but this time, make them deeper and slower...

3. Imagine yourself at your favorite spot with your favorite people -

Don’t worry about thoughts that come in, just relax and feel the essence of what is within you.

Feelings are important. Aim for Happy, Joyous feelings.

After 15 minutes get up go for a nice 10 to 15 minute casual walk.

Then go back to your daily activities.

You will find that your stress is gone. Negative comments, feelings and people will not bother you as much.

Practice this every day and your life will change for the better!

Seeing an Angel

Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman, a renowned kabbalist, and my Master teacher said:

"Not being aware of the angels’ presence in our lives is like having a billionaire uncle in California who died and left you millions of dollars. Unless you're aware of that uncle, you're never going to get that money..."

The word "angel" actually comes from the Greek word aggelos, which means "messenger." The matching Hebrew word mal'akh has the same meaning.

Sometimes, the Bible uses these words for human beings:

- ordinary people who carry messages (Job 1:14)

- Prophets (Isaiah 42:19; Malachi 3:1)

- Priests (Malachi 2:7)

Sometimes, it speaks figuratively of things or events as "messengers:"

- The pillar of cloud (Exodus 14:19)

- Pestilence or plagues (2 Samuel 24:16-17)

But it usually describes the whole range of spirits whom God has created, including both good and evil angels, and special categories such as cherubim, seraphim, and the archangel.

Anyone of us is capable of being an angel when we become aware of the world around us. When we lend a helping hand, do acts of loving kindness, cheer someone up etc, we become angels.

Similarly, we are also capable of connecting with our spiritual angels who protect and guide us.

Have you ever experienced an immense feeling of joy and serenity on a beautifully warm spring day? Your whole being is elated and when you look around the whole world seems to glow. You are experiencing the glorious touch of your guardian angel who is reminding you of the beauty of life and light.

Your gut feelings are often angels trying to convey a message to you. Angels can fly directly into the heart of the matter.

They are never too distant to hear you. Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. In fact, anyone can be an angel. So find your passion, fight for the things you believe in, and offer your talents and wisdom to people who need them, because, we are all angels, whether we like it or not.

It was a gloomy day. The sun was hiding behind a veil of dark gray clouds. I woke up feeling a little down. As the day progressed nothing seemed to "go right." Nothing seemed to flow. I felt alone (though I was surrounded by people). I felt as though I was "stuck" in the throes of life with no way to move forward.

That night, I lay in bed praying, crying, wondering...

"Ribono shel Olam (Almighty)" I cried, "Please give me a sign. I’m feeling lost and afraid. I feel like I am not going anywhere. I BEG you to show me THE LIGHT and free me of this oppression!"

Tears were falling down my cheeks and my eyes were closed. I was clutching my fists and holding my breath.

Then, a whisper, “Open your eyes… Open your eyes…” I slowly opened my eyes and saw a MAGICAL site! It was MAGNIFICENT and the whole room basked in the glow. His robe was a dazzling combination of gold, blue, silver, and although I could not see his face, he was beaming with a Golden Light. “Who are you?” I asked. He answered, “Ariel Hamalach. I have come to you with a message…” (The word for Angel in Hebrew is Malach, which means, messenger).

I wanted to ask him questions; I needed to scream and shout…

Ariel put his finger in the air, and with a loving gesture signaled for me to calm down and become quiet. “I have a message for you from EL-SHADAI, but first you must compose yourself. Wipe those tears away and send the ego home.”

I did as Ariel advised, took some deep breaths and reached a state of relaxation and excitement. What was he going to tell me?

I took another deep breath in and then exhaled out slowly. Ariel seemed pleased. The Golden Light became brighter.

A soft voice, it could have been a tune – Ariel began to speak and the message was, “Life is not living in a waiting room— it’s waiting in a living room.”

THANK YOU Archangel Ariel!

The whole world is a very narrow bridge and the most important thing is not to be afraid. -Reb Nachman

How

Can I Build My Self Esteem?

So how do you stay calm, composed and maintain self-esteem in a tough environment? Here are some tips you may to consider as a starter guide to self-improvement.

Imagine yourself as a Dart Board. Everything and everyone else around you may become Dart Pins, at one point or another. These dart pins will destroy your self-esteem and pull you down in ways you won’t even remember. Don’t let them destroy you, or get the best of you. So which dart pins should you avoid?

Dart Pin #1: Negative Work Environment

Beware of the “dog eat dog” theory where everyone else is fighting in order to get ahead. This is where non-appreciative people usually thrive. No one will appreciate your contributions even if you miss lunch and dinner, and stay up late. Be astute enough to compete, in a healthy, not mean competition.

Dart Pin #2: Other People’s Behavior

Bulldozers, brown nosers, gossipmongers, whiners, backstabbers, snipers, people walking wounded, controllers, naggers, complainers, exploders, patronizers, suffers… all these kinds of people will pose bad vibes for your self-esteem, as well as to yourself improvement scheme.

Dart Pin #3: Changing Environment

You can’t be a green bug on a brown field. Changes challenge our paradigms. It tests our flexibility, adaptability and alters the way we think. Changes will make life difficult for a while, they may cause stress but they will help us find ways to improve our selves. Change will be there forever, we must be susceptible to it.

Dart Pin #4: Past Experience

it’s okay to cry and say “ouch!” when we experience pain. But don’t let pain transform itself into fear. It might grab you by the tail and swing you around. Treat each failure and mistake as a lesson.

Dart Pin #5: Negative World View

Look at what you’re looking at. Don’t wrap yourself up with all the negativities of the world. In building self-esteem, we must learn how to make the best out of worst situations.

Dart Pin #6: Determination Theory

The way you are and your behavioral traits are said to be a mixed end product of your inherited traits (genetics), your upbringing (psychic), and your environmental surroundings such as your spouse, the company, the economy or your circle of friends. You have your own identity. If your father is a failure, it doesn’t mean you have to be a failure too. Learn from other people’s experience, so you’ll never have to encounter the same mistakes.

Sometimes, you may want to wonder if some people are born leaders or positive thinkers. NO. Being positive, and staying positive is a choice. Building self-esteem and drawing lines for self-improvement is a choice, not a rule or a talent. God wouldn’t come down from heaven and tell you – “George, you may now have the permission to build self-esteem and improve yourself.”

In life, it’s hard to stay tough especially when things and people around you keep pulling you down. When we get to the battle field, we should choose the right luggage to bring and armors to use, and pick those that are bullet proof. Life’s options give us arrays of more options. Along the battle, we will get hit and bruised. And wearing a bullet proof armor ideally means ‘self-change;’ the kind of change that comes from within voluntarily. Armor or Self Change changes 3 things: our attitude, our behavior and our way of thinking.

Building self-esteem will eventually lead to self-improvement if we start to become responsible for who we are, what we have and what we do. It’s like a flame that should gradually spread like a brush fire from inside and out. When we develop self-esteem, we take control of our mission, values and discipline. Self-esteem brings about self-improvement, true assessment, and determination. So how do you start putting up the building blocks of self-esteem? Be positive. Be contented and happy. Be appreciative. Never miss an opportunity to compliment. A positive way of living will help you build self-esteem, your starter guide to self-improvement.

When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better. Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together.

All too often we tend to focus on what we don't have, rather than the beautiful things we do. See the things you take for granted just as you did in the beginning - before you got used to them and forgot they were there...

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

The more you give, the more you love. Where love is, no room is too small, so Love a little more. Take some time to see the positive in people and things around you. Then, the Light will surely be brighter... The Key is to LOVE.

Living with Faith and Freedom

The Sfat Emet

quotes a text from the Haggada: "Bechol dor vador chayav adam lir'ot et atzmo ke'ilu HU yatza miMitzrayim." That is, in each generation, a person must view him/her as having personally experienced the Redemption from Egypt. The Sfat Emet takes this mandate seriously. This leads to a basic question: what should a person do to reach this goal?

The Sfat Emet answers that a two-step process is involved. The first step is to realize that, in reality, every generation experiences its own version of the Redemption from Egypt. With that belief under our belt, the Sfat Emet tells us, we can in fact re-live the original, prototypical ge'ula (redemption) as a personal experience.

The Sfat Emet now elaborates on this idea: we are enjoined to re-live the experience of our Liberation from Egypt. That Liberation involved much more than the escape from physical and political subordination to the Egyptians. Redemption also included escape from the spiritual and cultural oppression.

Continuing with this theme of experiencing Redemption, the Sfat Emet quotes a statement of the Maharal

. The Maharal tells us, “certainly we all participated in the experience of the Redemption from Egypt as a klal (as a collectivity). But the Haggada

is telling us more than the fact that we experienced Redemption as a collectivity. In mandating: "ke'ilu HU yatzami Mitzrayim (as though he himself came out of Egypt)", the Haggada is telling us that we must also experience Liberation on an individual, personal level."

How does a person achieve that goal of reliving the Redemption from Egypt on an individual, personal level? The Sfat Emet answers: "by joining the collectivity." (Note: The idea that an individual can achieve personal religious fulfillment by joining the collectivity is a startling paradox. Anyone but the Sfat Emet would steer clear of such an apparent internal contradiction. By contrast, the Sfat Emet explicitly recognizes the seeming inconsistencies that God built into the world. In fact, he gives them center stage.)

How does an individual become part of the collectivity? With emunah (faith), by truly believing that we were redeemed from slavery in Mitzrayim (Egypt), we can re-live the actual experience.

Once we affirm our membership in the collectivity, we can access this experience on an individual basis. But how does this process work (in the real world)? How does having emunah (faith) enable an individual to become part of a collectivity and to experience Cheirut (freedom) at the same time?

The Sfat Emet has articulated two conditions for experiencing personal liberation. He makes it clear that both conditions involve emuna; affirmation faith. As he sees the world, emuna is necessary to arrive at the emet (truth). What are the two conditions for which emuna are required? A person must view him/herself as having participated in the Redemption, and he/she must have the emuna to recognize that were it not for the Redemption, he/she would not have a relationship with God (and inner light). With these two emunah conditions satisfied, a person will realize that indeed s/he is being liberated.

When we live with emunah - faith in Creator, ourselves and the world around us - we achieve cheirut (freedom). We live a life of hope and purpose.

A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a lot of faith will bring heaven to your soul.

All too often we tend to focus on what we don't have, rather than the beautiful things we do. See the things you take for granted just as you did in the beginning - before you got used to them and forgot that they were there...

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

This is something we can do year round; soul searching helps us grow and develop spiritually.

Reflections:

- Happiness does not always mean some event that puts a big smile on our faces. It means moving toward goals that help us live the kind of life we think is in our best interest at the time. So that is the sense in which our actions are always aimed at making ourselves "happy."

- Our whole work is to reveal the love within us, every single day.

- The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and she that wins souls is wise.

- The tree of life is the miracle of silence, peace, Love and Oneness.

- The tree of life, Loves us not just unreservedly but also unconditionally.

Be In B.A.L.A.N.C.E

A Mother and her five-year-old son were talking about what he learned in kindergarten that day. The mother let her mind wander while her son was speaking. He began tapping on her knee and said, “Mommy, listen to me!” “But I am listening,” replied the mother. “No, you’re not,” said the son, “You’re not listening in your eyes!” It’s time to pay more attention to your loved ones and people around you.

It is very easy in our busy, very connected, sometimes 24/7 world, to find ourselves mired in our own space. Just one more text message, another email and I’m done. By the time we know it, the minutes and hours just pass by us and our loved ones often feel “cheated,” hurt and lonely.

We make so much time for ourselves and our technologies; we connect with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people a day through social media and the internet. But often, we forget/neglect to connect with the people we love and care about the most. They somehow tend to take a back seat to everyone and everything else. We may rationalize in our heads, “S/He will be here no matter what,” or, “They understand, I don’t need to worry about them.”

The truth is that s/he may not understand, and the person you love most may not be there if you don’t stop to look up from your constant texting, emailing and social networking, and start listening with “your eyes.” Don’t get me wrong, I am a big proponent of social networking and the technologies which enhance our lives in ways we have never imagined before. After all, I can often be seen in the halls and walls of Twitter and Facebook, chatting away and making connections. The key is BALANCE.

How can we live in BALANCE? The Kabbalah teaches that when we take words and break them down, hidden meanings and messages may be found (this is especially powerful with Hebrew letters, with which the Kabbalah is written). Let’s break down the word BALANCE on the next page -

To live in BALANCE:

Be – We are human beings, so be in the here and now.

Aware – Be aware of your surroundings, emotional and physical state.

Loving - Love with all your heart and soul from a place of light and blessings.

Attentive – Pay attention to what your inner core is saying.

Natural – Be yourself, who you are deep down in your ‘natural’ state.

Communicative – Communicate with your soul and the world around you.

Evolving – Life constantly changes, so we must ebb and flow through and with it.

When we live in BALANCE, we have less stress and we pay more attention to the needs of our loved ones, and the needs of our deep inner selves. Our Neshama (soul/breath) is lighter, freer and full of positive energy.

As you read this, you may be saying, “OK, Rabbi, it all sounds great, but How can I practically be in BALANCE in this busy, often media hyped world?”

The answer is simple. STOP. Turn off the texting, email, Internet for 5 minutes a day (If you can spare more than five minutes it would be ideal, but realistically you may only have five minutes a day and that’s great). Now, take a deep breath in. Then, slowly release your breath, take your time don’t rush it. With the breath, release any tensions/anxieties you may have.

Sit in the quietness for the remainder of your uninterrupted time and feel your whole physical and emotional self-become lighter, more excited. When the ‘time is up,’ reach out to one or more of your most important loved one (and yes, you may do so via phone or video chat, text or email), and say “I Love You!” Taking a complete day of rest (Shabbat), at week’s end, where you totally turn off all media and solely focus on family, friends, good food and joyous occasions, is another way to be in BALANCE.

By the way, the word for breath in Hebrew is ðùéîä N’sheemah, which comes from the root word of ðùîä N’shamah (or soul). It is written is Genesis 2:7 –

“Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. “

When you take a deep breath you nourish your body and soul. When you take a deep breath and become more aware, you also take the soul to higher levels of wellbeing.

So, take a deep breath and appreciate the positive people and things in your life! Remember to Be in BALANCE. Also, remember to turn off your mobile world once in a while and connect with your loved ones, who matter the most, in a real, sincere way. BE there with your whole heart and soul not just with your ears, and you will experience great Joy and Excitement in your life.

Exercise

Yes, I know, you want to try the exercise mentioned above, but scrolling up is just too difficult J so here it is again:

STOP. Turn off the texting, email, Internet for 5 minutes a day (If you can spear more than five minutes it would be ideal, but realistically you may only have five minutes a day and that’s great). Now, take a deep breath In. Then, slowly release your breath, take your time don’t rush it. With the breath, release any tensions/anxieties you may have.

Also, dedicate one day of the weekend to rest, relaxation and family/friends time while turning off texting, emailing etc. (Shabbat).

Get up, Show Them Who You Are

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love people who treat you well, forgive the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. No one said it would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Be fearless when it comes to life, and careless when it comes to what people say or think about you.

When you fall down, you have to get back up and keep on going. There’s no sense in just sitting there and regretting what was. Allow yourself a short period of time to grieve if necessary, and then look ahead and attack life in full force.

Make plans, create goals or stick to the ones you’ve already made. Don’t get discouraged; look at both the smaller and bigger picture. Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. Don’t exchange what you want the most for what you want at the moment.

The Baal Shem Tov (A renowned 18 century Kabbalistic rabbi) said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Turn unpleasant and awkward situations into opportunities. Learn from your mistakes and forgive them. Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle or end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next; Delicious ambiguity.

It’s hard to wait around for something you know may never happen, but it’s harder when you know it’s everything you want. So stop waiting around. Get up, dance, create, and keep moving. Remember to strike a balance between moving and proper rest. Set time aside each day for relaxation and “mindless” activities.

Try to expect nothing, but be open to anything. Don’t look for happiness, but don’t settle for anything less. Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have. Life isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. We all come upon unexpected curves and turning points. Everything that happens to us shapes who we are becoming. And in the adventure of each day, we discover the important things in life and why they’re important.

Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Just because it’s not what you were expecting, it doesn’t mean it’s not everything you’ve been waiting for. Don’t give up. When you are deeply passionate about something, find a way to pursue it and don’t get discouraged if you were hoping to make some money out of it and didn’t.

Perhaps you are making a difference in other ways, and when you stick with it, the money will eventually come. The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past. To change your future, alter your decisions today.

Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind. Yes, it is that easy.

People who soar are those who refuse to sit back, sigh and wish things would change. They neither complain of their lot nor passively dream of some distant ship coming in. Rather, they visualize in their minds that they are not quitters; they will not allow life's circumstances to push them down and hold them under. So spread your wings and fly! Soar into the adventures that await you. Don’t be afraid to dream, and make it come true.

Exercise

A lot of self-consciousness, nervousness, and fear come from a feeling of being "outside" yourself, as you worry about being judged, rejected, or acting foolish. Practice the following technique in order to regain your "center:"

- Take a deep breath and follow your breath into your body, down into your solar plexus (a network of nerves below your rib cage behind your stomach).

- Press there with your hand to help guide the breath.

- Focus on your feet, and feel their connection to the floor.

- Then press on your "third eye" (the spot on your forehead right between your eyes), concentrating your mind and breath toward that point to focus on your spiritual energy, giving you strength.

- Now, imagine yourself just the way you would like to be.

- Visualize relating to someone in a charming, energetic way. Since your brain doesn't know if the image is true or false, your muscles will behave accordingly -- your face will look as if you feel charming and energized.

- Visualize how you want to look, how you want to come across, and how you want your life to be. Now try to experience how you would feel if all of these things were true.

- Finally, Remember a time when you were at your best, your most successful, your most productive. Picture how you looked, sounded, and acted. Anchor this picture in your muscles and visceral body system by doing something physical (such as snapping your fingers). Eventually, the physical act alone will trigger your nervous system to "remember" the outcome, and fire the appropriate mental and physical state associated with it, making it more likely that you will repeat this similarly successful behavior and positive mental state in the present.

Get Up, Show Them Who You Are!

A Spiritual Vision of Love & Light

I began by emerging myself in a Kabalistic Mikvah; I put hot water in a small bowl. Then, I dipped my [10] fingers into the hot water and said the word "tahor" (pure). I repeated this process 3 times. I allowed the hot water to penetrate my body [through the fingers]. I felt my soul being purified.

I then took my fingers out and joined the right hand fingers with the fingers on the left hand. I closed my eyes and felt the light of the Mikvah, the light of the Holy one shine through me. "Now I am pure and ready to receive your divine wisdom!"

I took out my Hebrew Aleph Bet cards and lit a candle. I shuffled the cards and lay them out (face down) in a spread. I closed my eyes, and proceeded to choose a card. I asked the Divine Being to "please show me the way and guide me in my search." I picked a card. It was the letter Hey; this letter helps one bring greater inner light and revelation.

I meditated on the letter Hey. I asked The Creator to show me the light. I breathed in the light (deep breath) and then breathed out the darkness. I could see the Hey shining in the light of the candle.

The candle and the Hey danced together and I could feel the Divine Light shining on me. It was warm, it was magical, it was pure bliss…

Suddenly, the light faded for a moment. I was a little fearful. But lo and behold another smaller light appeared. At first, it looked like strands of golden light dancing on a black canvas. Soon the lines begun to form and I could see the outline of a lady. Her Golden face glowed. She came, a little closer, and I could see her BEAUTIFUL/RADIANT face. It was Young but wise, smooth but a little coarse. Her eyes were glimmering and her voice was sweet.

"Who are you?" I asked trembling, a bit overwhelmed.

"Don't be afraid, I have come to bring you the light!" She said in a soft sweet voice.

Her eyes were radiant and my heart filled with joy. I was safe now, I was surrounded by a Divine Spirit, and she was touching me –I felt her soft warm touch.

Then, her face turned into a Golden hand. "What is this?" I asked. And the hand beckoned me to "come here, connect with me. Let me touch you so that you may receive the light!" I was a little confused. Where was I supposed to "come," and How???

The Golden hand (made out of the light) came closer – it looked bigger. I then heard a whisper, "Lift your right hand and touch me (the left hand)." I did as the voice requested.

I felt an intense light go through me. Part fire, part luminosity, it was both exhilarating and overwhelming. It was Her, joining her hand with mine, Letting me know, that the Eternal Light is with me.

Tears kept flowing out of my eyes. A sense of deep Love and gratitude came over me.

Turning my focus back to the letter Hey, I chanted "Hhhhhhhey, Hhhhhhey…" I breathed in the light, and breathed out "Hhhhhhey."

I said "Hineini – here I am!!" I wanted the Holy One, blessed be S/He, to know that I am here ready and willing to receive the light and do the work Creator wants me to do!

I am going to place the letter Hey under my pillow tonight. I ask You El Shadai Creator of all things to illuminate my dreams and show me what I need to do next…

May we all receive greater inner light and revelation in our dreams tonight, and may our inner light shine for All to see!

Mi Chamoha Ba-elim Adonai? Norah T'hilot – oseh feleh!

Who is like You among the G-d's Eternal source? Your glories are great – You create wonder!

Eishet Chayil (A Woman/Person of Strength)

“What a rare find is a woman of Strength!

Her worth is far beyond that of rubies… She

sets Her mind on an estate and acquires it; She

plants a vineyard by her own labors. She girds

Herself with strength, and performs her tasks

with vigor. She sees that her business thrives;

Her lamp never goes out at night… She gives

generously to the poor; her hands are stretched

out to the needy… Her husband is prominent

in the gates, as he sits among the elders of the

land… She is clothed with strength and

splendor; She looks to the future cheerfully.

Her mouth is full of wisdom; Her tongue with

kindly teaching… Her children declare Her

happy; Her husband praises her… Extol Her for

the fruit of Her hand, and let Her works praise

Her in the gates.” –From Eshet Chayil, Proverbs 31:10-31

The Eishet Chayil (“a woman of valor”) consists of the concluding section of the book of Proverbs (31:10-31

). On the surface, Eshet Chayil appears to be a eulogy to the “perfect wife,” though most commentators believe it represents an idealized allegory, variously interpreted to refer to the Shechinah (God’s feminine eminence), Shabbat itself, the Torah, wisdom, or the soul.

According to Aggadic Midrashim (interpretation of the non-legal portions of the Hebrew Bible), the poem was originally composed by Abraham as a eulogy for his wife Sarah.

The Eishet chayil poem starts out with a question: “Who is a woman of strength”? Not “Where is such a woman?” But “Who is the one capable of finding her?” The question invites us to participate in the search, even dares us. This poem, right from the beginning is trying to engage the reader, who is often passive and silent.

One answer to “Who can find a woman of strength” is: only the person who possesses strength can find her. After a search, one realizes that a spouse is far more valuable than all of the possible wealth in the world.

Eishet Chayil describes the qualities of the 'ideal' wife; or to take it a little more out of the box, an ideal person. Obviously, we’re all different, and are not perfect, but this is something we can strive for. We can all be an Eishet Chayil (even if we can’t be the 'ideal' wife), by doing the best we can and taking care of the world around us. We can use this song as a guideline to help us along the right path of love and light.

From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined to be together find each other, their streams of light flow together, and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.

People tend to misjudge the value of the marriage relationship. They sometimes take a loved one for granted and don’t give credit where credit is due. The Eishet Chayil also reminds us that we must never take people for granted. We need to always find the best in our loved ones and appreciate what they bring into our relationship. Similarly, we need to always find the best in ourselves and stop being overly critical of every move we make.

All too often we tend to focus on what we don't have, rather than the beautiful things we do. See the things (and people) you take for granted just as you did in the beginning - before you got used to them and forgot they were there... Find ways to ignite your excitement on a regular basis. Let the magic happen. It's always there. Abundance and love are always there. Believe in the highest good. There is a higher essence to everything.

The realm you're in has a heaviness that mutes energy. You can penetrate through it, no matter how dark and heavy. Sometimes it has nothing to do with karma. Just don't forget to keep it open. Don't get too bogged down, don't limit the brightness. Reach through the dark energy and grab it. You might see the smoke coming out of the chimney and you'll even see the smoky sky. You need to reach through the smoke and bring the light to you. Remember the possibilities of something greater than we are right here. Be willing to go to the lightness. Don't feed off what is not right in the world.

Finally, it’s lack of love for our-selves that inhibits our compassion toward others. When we make friends with ourselves, there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others.

Taking Chances and Moving On

“If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and never harvest anything.” –Ecclesiastes 11:4

Two seeds lay side by side in fertile ground during the spring.

The first seed said, “I want to grow, I want to establish deep roots beneath me and sprout. My dream is to grow in the spring and announce my arrival. I want to feel the warm sunshine and the morning dew caressing my soft leaves.” The seed grew and became a beautiful proud flower. Everyone around marveled at her beauty and strength.

The second seed said, “I’m afraid to establish deep roots here in this soil... Who knows what they will hit down there in the dark, and when I grow, my sprouts could also be damaged... And if I have flower buds, they will be destroyed by bugs. No, I think I’ll just wait until the time seems right, then I’ll establish my roots.” And the second seed began waiting.

One day, a hungry bird flew by and saw a tasty seed lying exposed in the fertile soil. She swooped down and ate the second seed. So it is with life, those who are afraid to take risks in life end up being (or feeling) “eaten.”

It is important for us as human Beings, to establish roots in order to feel safe, warm and loved. And sometimes, in order to establish real roots, connections and or dreams, we need to take a risk there and then.

Get up and out of your comfort zone once in a while. Don’t just sit there waiting for the next best thing to come, or for the moment to be “right.” Take action now. At the end of the day, only you can change things – only you can plant those roots deep in the ground and become a beautiful, strong flower.

Sure, there are obstacles, doubts/fears, and people who seem to stand in your way. But ultimately, you make the choice. You can choose to be the first seed and thrive. Or, you can choose to be the second seed and be eaten alive, living with resentment, fear and doubt, always just waiting for the right situation to come along.

Experience the wonder of you, the beauty of you. Experience your essence. Experience the miracle that is life. Let that feeling grow, bathe in it. Let it be - let you be. BE.

Neglect of your own well-being, all those years spent wondering... Stop listening to promises and act to carve out a new life. If you can find something positive to learn in any situation, you'll be able to control your state of well-being.

Each day is a new canvas to paint on. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you'd painted something different. A happy person takes time to see the bigger picture and appreciates what isn’t wrong. Each moment in a day, has its own value: Morning brings hope, afternoon brings faith, evening brings love and night brings rest Find them all today!

Exercise

Think about your goals for this week (love, work, family etc. – what would you like to achieve in order to live a happier, more fulfilled life)? Pick one or two of the goals you most want to achieve this week and answer the following questions;

- When am I going to start taking action?

- What can I do in the next twenty-four hours that will move me toward achieving my goal/s?

- How will I celebrate my success?

Be open minded, relaxed, creative and flexible when coming up with a course of action.

How Can I Get Rid of My Fear?

First, accept it:

“Tell me,” Dave asked Jeff, who was walking across a very narrow bridge, “How do you manage to travel on this narrow bridge above the abyss? I just look at this bridge and shake with immense fear.”

“Very easily,” answered Jeff. “When I go to work, I think of my family who won’t be able to survive without me providing for them. When I return home, I so look forward to seeing my family that I don’t even think about the abyss below...”

How to Get Out of This Fear?

Only a strong will or absolute necessity can help you forget that you are traveling on a narrow bridge with nothing but the abyss below. Lots of people are afraid to even think about their fears, and most often are reluctant to tell anyone about it.

So What Can We Do About It?

One of the simplest things we can do is admitting (to ourselves first) full heartedly: “Yes, I am afraid. And these fears are inhibiting my life...”

I Must Change My Though Process!

Write down from what and or from whom you are afraid. Describe in detail the feelings that are associated with your fears. For example:

-I’m terrified of failing this exam. If I do, I won’t be able to advance in my career and make more money, which will result in more debt and family stress.

Now imagine taking the exam from a totally different (opposite) point of view:

-I’m ready for this test! I will succeed and life will be better!

The second thought process works on the rational level of your self-confidence. It enables you to achieve tangible results.

You Need to Work Differently on the Subconscious Level:

Imagine having a discussion with your fear. Ask it what it wants and why it feels the need to show itself at this moment. Negotiate with the fear, “I’ll give you what you want, and you’ll let go of me.”

If it’s a person you’re afraid of, this technique will help you (in your mind’s eye) turn him/her from a hostile character to a harmless one.

We all have anxiety, fears and feelings of darkness from time to time.

When we stop for a moment and open our eyes, we realize that we are not alone – The Light is all around us. The fear inside of us wants to bring us down and saturates us with negative thoughts, feelings and “what if’s.” While our true self gently tries to remind us that all we need to do is walk in the light.

Take the time necessary to get in touch with your soul's desire for freedom and peace.

World renowned Rabbi Shai Specht, is a Certified Professional Life Coach, Wedding and Life Cycle officiant, Educator, Motivational Speaker and Musician/Cantor, with over 15 years of experience. He is also one of the most highly followed Rabbis on social media networks such as Twitter

and Facebook

.

Israeli born, with strong British and American roots, Rabbi Shai draws upon many influences, but has a unique energy and appeals to a wide range of audiences, of all ages. His understanding and proven abilities, lure one in with a sense of Intimacy, Joy and Excitement. Based in New York City, Rabbi Shai enjoys traveling to your community center, destination wedding, house of worship or private life-cycle events. He also enjoys holding private classes and life coaching sessions in person, via video chat or by phone. The possibilities are as big as your imagination!

Rabbi Shai was educated in Israel, England and the United States, in places such as the prestigious King David High School in Manchester England. He holds an Education degree from Prescott College in Arizona, as well as Judaic Studies and Early Childhood Education with an emphasis on the expressive arts and Cantorial studies.

Rabbi Shai comes from a long line of Rabbi’s, (including The Maharal of Prague

), Cantors and Educators. He received his smicha (ordination) as a Rabbi and teacher in New York City. He also holds a Pastoral counseling and Theology Awareness certification. Rabbi Shai is a member of the International Federation of Rabbi's and The International Association of Coaching (IAC).