TODAY'S MESSAGE IS DEDICATED
IN HONOR OF
DENISE SUTTON
WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE
BY HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN   

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      There are a lot of things about myself that I would like to change for the better. Organizing my work schedule to be more efficient, spending more time with my family, devoting more time to chesed [acts of kindness], praying a little better, controlling my speech, smiling more often and developing more patience would certainly be a good beginning for a master self-improvement list. The reason why I don't get to do any of these things is that I want so much to do them that I get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the job and throw in the towel even before I begin. The fact of the matter is that with most personality or life style improvements the task is very large and very difficult.

     Our Rabbis suggest that resolutions regarding self-improvement should be made. The trick to making them successful, however, is to make sure not to bite off more than one can chew. A successful plan begins with an achievable goal. If one dreams of running a 26 mile marathon the training program begins with a plan to run a limited, achievable distance for a limited, do-able time period. Let's say 5 miles 3 times a week for a month. Once the month is up, the runner can now extend the mileage commensurate with his or her newly developed endurance. Again it should be for an achievable distance and for a limited time frame. Eventually the 26 miles is not a "killer", but instead, an achievable goal.

    When you get frustrated by one of your shortcomings don’t let it get you down. You can beat it. Just resolve to change a little. Limit your resolution to a short time period and start your personality improvement program immediately. Bite off only what you can chew and not only will your "meal” be satisfying but you will also finish cleaning your plate. It  takes the discipline of a “dieter” but it is the secret to a spiritual diet's success.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
If one took a fruit in one's hand to eat, and said the blessing, and the fruit fell from one's hand and  was lost or became inedible, one must say a new blessing on the next fruit one takes to eat. Even if the second fruit was in front of the person when the 1st blessing was said one must say a new blessing. However, if the person's intention was not exclusively on the first fruit, for example if one said a blessing on a cherry while a bowl of cherries was on the table, knowing that he or she was going to eat more than 1 cherry, then it is permitted to take the second cherry and continue eating without a second blessing because we assume that the first blessing was for any cherries that he or she might eat from those that were on the table. [Source Yalkut Yosef, vol 3, Siman 206:16]

CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE

"The Torah is acquired with 48 qualities: ...happiness..." Abot 6:6

The Mishnah lists 48 different qualities one must have in order to acquire Torah. One is happiness. The commentators explain the value of happiness to Torah study in different ways. Rashi explains that Torah study is tantamount to intimate contact with Hashem and it is a principle of the spiritual world that the Divine Presence does not rest with man except in a state of happiness.
The Midrash Shemuel points out that Torah study is a difficult task. Unless one is happy one will not have the tenacity to deal with the difficulties of Torah study. If one, on the other hand, approaches Torah joyfully, one will draw the strength to succeed.