Many times, the incentive and motivation of the evil
inclination inside of us to get us to stumble and make wrong and bad choices,
is not so much the bad choice itself, but what comes afterwards.
Subsequent to a bad choice, many people will feel guilty and
knock themselves over the head for having been so foolish. This leads to a
weakening of self-esteem and to different forms of depression. Depression leads
to an overall and general weakening of the self, holding the person back from
doing any good at all, since there is no energy, and anyway, “I am not worth
really very much.”
“Being aware of the illness is half the cure.”
Everyone makes mistakes.
“There isn’t a righteous man who hasn’t sinned.” The response to a
mistake is to realize that inherently our soul is pure and its essential
character can never be affected by human decisions. Our task after we threw
some dirt on our souls and lives, is to uncover the natural affinity we have
for what’s right and good, G-dliness, and to get back in touch with our true
selves. To accomplish this, Rabbi Zushe of Anapoli taught there were five steps
to “return” and rediscover this beauty and strength that is within each person.
Step #1. “Be sincere with the Eternal, your G-d.” Don’t get
complicated with life. You will never figure it all out. Recognize G-d is much
greater than we could ever fathom and walk simply & wholeheartedly in His
ways. Don’t make life more complicated than you have to. Be more accepting of
circumstances.
Steps #2. “I have set G-d before me always.” Always remember
everything around you is G-dliness. G-d isn’t up in the seventh heaven. G-d IS
the seventh heaven and everything we experience in our lives. Therefore, all is
good.
Step #3. “Love your fellow as yourself.” Everyone is here to
fulfill a purpose that I am dependent on. It’s not about the clothes or car a
person owns. It’s all about the integrated and cohesive puzzle each single one
of us make perfect. I need you as much as you need me so we can all make each
other’s life and the universe whole.
Step #4 “In all your ways know G-d.” In order to implement
the steps above, there must be some concrete channeling of these concepts into
our everyday lives so these spiritual perspectives reach even deeper into our
psyche and become one with who we are.
Every time you do something connect the act with G-dliness and
spirituality.
If you were to make a blessing and thank G-d when you eat
food, before and afterwards, you are proclaiming that you don’t take your
health for granted or the food for granted. You are recognizing G-ds interaction and influence in your
life every single moment. King David
praises G-d, for every breath, because no one guarantees you, your next breath.
When we train ourselves to know G-d and to thank G-d, for all the good in our
lives we are integrating our faith into a real and physical dimension of our
lives.
Whatever we are doing, if it is guided by the commandments
and desires of G-d, we then “know G-d in all our ways.”
Step #5. “Walk discreetly (in modesty) with your G-d.” Once
a person understands that G-d is everywhere, in everyone, and in my life I
connect all that I do with G-d, we smoothly transition to this step of being
discreet and modest.
There is no one to show off to. To the contrary, if a person
is filled with arrogance and the need to impress others, they are giving way
too much credit to themselves instead of
G-d. By acting in a modest and discreet conduct, we are demonstrating
and strengthening our character and disposition to be in line with the
awareness, that all that I have and all that I am, is due to G-d’s credit.
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