Repetition is how we see change and results. When a person goes to the gym; or when a person does things that they know work over and over again - inevitably, they see results.
Progress is the only thing that makes us feel alive. Progress, or "growing", is an inherently enjoyable thing for a human being. It makes us feel good! But we have to have the right tools and strategies and a goal to work towards, if we want to make progress.
Spiritual health begins in the same way that good physical health does. How do we work out, spiritually? We talk to Hashem. Verbalizing words of prayer has a special greatness that no other form of "spiritual workout" really has.
Setting the goal
Before we can make the decision to set a goal, we first have to believe in that goal. That it's valuable; compelling; inspiring. That it's drawing us to it. Let's take the example of quitting cigarettes.
Once the person makes the decision to become a "non-smoker", it makes a big, big difference. They are no longer the same person. By deciding to become a "non-smoker", that person has just cut themselves off from cigarettes.
There's a lot of similarity between the words "incision" and "decision" - for a good reason. When a person makes a real decision, things change, they move. What's a "real" decision? I can tell you what's NOT a real decision: see the rest here...
Stay informed about everything Jewish by following Breslev Israel's award-winning staff of writers. Here are this week's selections:
Tale of Rusty Tools - By Rabbi Lazer Brody
Giving Peace a Chance - By Rabbi Shalom Arush (translated by Rabbi Lazer Brody)
Messages from Beyond - By Howard Morton
Let's Speak - By Dr. Zev Ballen
Emuna Cats - By Chaya Golda Ovadia
The Crazy Eight - By Rivka Levy
The Fantasy Horse - By Tal Rotem
Like the Trees in Winter - By Rabbi Lazer Brody
Running from Reality - By Racheli Reckles
Exposing the Ridiculous - By Rabbi David Charlop
With all my Blessings,
Dr. Zev Ballen
