Rav Akiva, the teacher of Rav Shimon (author of the holy Zohar), was forty years old when he began to study the secrets of Kabbalah. He did not think he could do it after having lived such a different way of life all those years.

One day he passed a stream and noticed a hole inside a rock caused by years of tiny drops of water. Rachel, his wife, encouraged him, "If it takes the rock many years to form a hole, it is a sign that it must take all of us time to change and let the Light in," she explained.

Imagine if he hadn't learned this lesson. Imagine the world without the teachings of Rav Shimon. Imagine the world without the Light of the Zohar. There'd be nothing to imagine as this world would cease to exist.

Four words for you today:   YOU CAN DO IT!

I often hear students talking about people in their lives as "not spiritual." I have to say, I never really understand what this means. I guess it's because my mother always teaches me, "if they've got a spirit, they're spiritual." She sees everyone as a spark of the Creator.

Sure, I don't look like you and you don't look like me. That's because we are each created in the image of God differently. And for a very good reason — we all have our unique challenges to tackle in this world. Who am I to judge you as "not spiritual?"

Instead of judging people for being different than you, encourage and love them for who they are and what they do. Support them in their life process, whatever that may be.

Today, respect that everyone in your life is on their own journey. If the Light saw fit to create them and breathe life into their lungs, who are you to heap them into the unredeemable category of "not spiritual?"

"Where your thought is, is precisely where you are - all of yourself is there." - Baal Shem Tov

Where are you today?

There is not one moment greater than another. Do you get what that means?

If you did, you'd have no worries at all. That's what being connected to the Light is all about.

Today, when you are obsessing about what you'll do the next hour for lunch, for dinner, for life - set your obsessions aside and just enjoy the moment. Put all your thoughts into right now. Right now is bliss. Right now.

If you are truly connected to the Light, than you would know that your essence is part of God and you are untouchable.

Would you worry? Would you be depressed? Would you get sick?

As Rav Ashlag says, one of the most important things to know about ourselves is, we are holy within. When we are connected to our holiness, nothing can touch us.

Today, walk around knowing your holiness. See how it feels. If things go against you, remember you can handle it. Just like God. Which you are.

We each come to this world to earn our fulfillment. That is why, when we receive something for nothing, we feel a certain degree of resentment or unworthiness. The Kabbalists call this feeling "bread of shame". This feeling arises because our soul is of the Light, and it's not in the Light's nature to be a non-sharing receiver.

Today, find out where you enable other people to feel this shame because you give them something for nothing. It could even be too much attention, or control over you, or plain old money. Figure it out and remember that by not allowing people to earn their fulfillment, you are keeping them from their true purpose.

The Zohar, the main text of Kabbalah explains that from the moment we come out of the womb, we have our partner - the Opponent - attached at the hip. And it's always there to challenge us.

Our mission is to search for and defeat this enemy within. But, at the same time, we have to keep in mind that fighting our dark side pushes us to greatness.

Today, get to your next level. Get out of your comfort zone. Really connect to the lasting fulfillment that you deserve.

Mistakes are opportunities. Every time we mess up — intentionally or not - there is a chance to learn and go to a new level. In fact, mistakes are only mistakes if we don't learn from them.

Today, forgive yourself for something you've done in the past. Remember, when you fall, you learn.

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