Jewish

Points To Ponder: 20 Tips To Live A Better Life

Today marks the 111th birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory (1902-1994).  Every year this day is celebrated as Education and Sharing Day U.S.A. The Rebbe Reminded us that we should look inside, to the soul of a person, to understand his or her true potential. It is his belief - That none of us is complete until all of us are included - This lesson inspired the creation of Friendship Circle Over the years the Rebbe taught us many life lessons pertaining to our public and private life. Below are 20 points to ponder that are based on the Rebbe's teachings. Take a minute and think about the meaning behind each lesson. Then....act on it!

1. Childish Joy

The natural state of man, the way G‑d created us, is to be happy. Look at children and you will see.

2. Out of The center

If you think about yourself all day, you are guaranteed to become depressed. Take an hour a day to think of how you can benefit someone else.

3. Mindful

You must always have good things to think about. An empty mind is a vacuum awaiting destructive thoughts.

4. Joyful Prognostics

Having discovered all your faults, you are depressed. Imagine you have just found a doctor with a diagnosis that explains all your afflictions over the past many years. And he’s written a prescription directing you on a sure path to good health. Shouldn’t you jump with joy and relief?

5. Simple Path

You ask, “How can I be happy if I am not?” True, you can’t control the way you feel, but you do have control over your conscious thought, speech and actions. Do something simple: Think good thoughts, speak good things, behave the way a joyful person behaves -even if you don’t fully feel it inside. Eventually, the inner joy of the soul will break through.

6. Celebrate

If you are confident that G-d will help you, then why is misery and anxiety written all across your face? If you are truly confident, celebrate!

7. Each Day

Purify time. Each day, find an act of kindness and beauty that belongs to that day alone.

8. Functional Light

G-d did not give you light that you may hold it up in the middle of the day. When you are given light it is in order to accomplish something, to do something difficult and novel. Go take your light and transform the darkness that it may also shine!

9.  More Light

Fighting evil is a very noble activity when it must be done. But it is not our mission in life. Our job is to bring in more light.

10. Be There

In each journey of your life you must be where you are. You may only be passing through on your way to somewhere else seemingly more important -nevertheless, there is purpose in where you are right now.

11. Helping

Until you can see the good within a person, you are incapable of helping him

12. Beyond Reason

The world is not a reasonable place.Meet it on its own terms: when you do something good, do it beyond reason

13. Uncovered and Hiding

Our souls are not broken that they should need repair, nor deficient that they should need anything added. Our souls need only to be uncovered and allowed to shine

14. Higher & Higher

It is our nature, all of us, that we never attain half our goal. If we earn $100, we want to make $200. And when we reach $200, we strive for $400. If so, our acts of kindness must grow by the same rules.

15. Giving Often

Giving affects not only the one you give to, but also you, the giver. Therefore, it's not only important how much you give, but how often. Each act of giving uplifts and purifies you a little more.

16. All For Your Children

Every day, take one half hour to think about your children and where they’re headed. Then do all you can about it. Then do more.

17. Morning Meditation

When you get up in the morning, let the world wait. Defy it a little. First learn something to inspire you. Take a few moments to meditate upon it. And then you may plunge ahead into the darkness, full of light with which to illuminate it.

18. Stay Calm

When things don’t work out, relax. Even if it’s all your fault and you deserve everything you’re getting, trust in G‑d that it is all for the good, and stay calm. When He sees how much you trust in Him, He will make it be all for the good.

19. Impact

Complacency breeds anxiety. To be healthy, a person needs to be having an impact on his surroundings, uplifting those about him and bringing in more light.

20. Do Something!

The main thing is: Do Something