Page 112 - issue
P. 112
One way to bring about
a change is to alter the
way we respond to
adversity. When things
or people distress us,
we need to focus on
creating shalom
LLoiostke,n“& instead of machlokes.
by Chava Schwartzstreets. The wake-up calls inch a little A useful acronym is to T-H-I-N-K. Our
closer each time, yet still we sleep. words and actions should be
hen I look around, I see a Thoughtful, Honest, Intelligent,
lot of pain and sadness: soWe know that G-d loves us and givesNecessary, and Kind. Speech is a big
many people with terminalus tests to make us stronger and topart of that. As the Vilna Gaon said,
sickness; so manycome closer to Him. So we have to ask“The principal way of meriting the World
divorces, orphans, singles,ourselves: Where is our focus? Isto Come is through guarding one’s
and children and adultsHashem in our lives, or are we justmouth, which is greater than Torah
doing mitzvos mechanically, without learning and mitzvos, because the
W with depression; so manyconnecting to Him? mouth is the Holy of Holies…” (Excerpt
homes invaded. And I from a letter by the Vilna Gaon)
wonder what I can do. How can weDon’t Forget to THINK
help? What can be done to make aOne way to bring about a change is toIn Chaya Kruk’s class on interper-
change in the world?alter the way we respond to adversity.sonal relationships, we learned some of
”I have heard rabbanim say that
everything that happens in the world is When things or people distress us, we the following tips, which are bound to
a message for us, to wake us up to the need to focus on creating shalom improve our relationships with other
way that Hashem would have us (peace) instead of machlokes (strife). people:
respond. If so, there have been many Personally, I am working on “respond- ◆ Change your focus. Always look for
messages. Think about the horrifying ing” rather than “reacting,” which the positive and stop lashon hara (neg-
tsunami in Asia that killed 230,000; means I need to stop and think instead ative talk).
Hurricane Sandy, which affected many of acting impulsively. Each time we ◆ Cultivate an ayin tov (a good eye).
Yidden; Jewish children kidnapped and refrain from reacting negatively to a sit- Look for the good in others.
killed in Israel; Arabs entering shuls to uation that displeases or hurts us is an ◆ Let it go. QTIP: Quit Taking It
murder innocent men; and random eis ratzon (time of blessing) and a per- Personally.
stabbings and car rammings in the sonal kiddush Hashem. ◆ Don’t retaliate when you feel hurt.
108 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
a change is to alter the
way we respond to
adversity. When things
or people distress us,
we need to focus on
creating shalom
LLoiostke,n“& instead of machlokes.
by Chava Schwartzstreets. The wake-up calls inch a little A useful acronym is to T-H-I-N-K. Our
closer each time, yet still we sleep. words and actions should be
hen I look around, I see a Thoughtful, Honest, Intelligent,
lot of pain and sadness: soWe know that G-d loves us and givesNecessary, and Kind. Speech is a big
many people with terminalus tests to make us stronger and topart of that. As the Vilna Gaon said,
sickness; so manycome closer to Him. So we have to ask“The principal way of meriting the World
divorces, orphans, singles,ourselves: Where is our focus? Isto Come is through guarding one’s
and children and adultsHashem in our lives, or are we justmouth, which is greater than Torah
doing mitzvos mechanically, without learning and mitzvos, because the
W with depression; so manyconnecting to Him? mouth is the Holy of Holies…” (Excerpt
homes invaded. And I from a letter by the Vilna Gaon)
wonder what I can do. How can weDon’t Forget to THINK
help? What can be done to make aOne way to bring about a change is toIn Chaya Kruk’s class on interper-
change in the world?alter the way we respond to adversity.sonal relationships, we learned some of
”I have heard rabbanim say that
everything that happens in the world is When things or people distress us, we the following tips, which are bound to
a message for us, to wake us up to the need to focus on creating shalom improve our relationships with other
way that Hashem would have us (peace) instead of machlokes (strife). people:
respond. If so, there have been many Personally, I am working on “respond- ◆ Change your focus. Always look for
messages. Think about the horrifying ing” rather than “reacting,” which the positive and stop lashon hara (neg-
tsunami in Asia that killed 230,000; means I need to stop and think instead ative talk).
Hurricane Sandy, which affected many of acting impulsively. Each time we ◆ Cultivate an ayin tov (a good eye).
Yidden; Jewish children kidnapped and refrain from reacting negatively to a sit- Look for the good in others.
killed in Israel; Arabs entering shuls to uation that displeases or hurts us is an ◆ Let it go. QTIP: Quit Taking It
murder innocent men; and random eis ratzon (time of blessing) and a per- Personally.
stabbings and car rammings in the sonal kiddush Hashem. ◆ Don’t retaliate when you feel hurt.
108 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
