We all know that when our instant gratification calls, its voice is loud and clear. Certainly some of us have taught ourselves patience, and others among us have learned the value of quality over quantity—but still our wants never seem to be satisfied. We find fulfillment, but only momentarily.

This sort of desire is painful because it never stops. It’s insatiable. It’s the desire for external gratification. It comes from focusing on what we lack; looking for external things to fill the void. But when we focus on what we do have, we don’t feel the pull to self soothe with all the things we go to (which we know aren’t good for us.)

The lesson here is that sometimes we just need to take a look around us to see and appreciate all that we have.

I hope that today you will take the time to count your blessings and remember that with all the pain and strife we endure, this is still a beautiful world

Why did Adam fall out of the Garden of Eden?

Eating an apple? Nope. The Zohar [2,000 year old text of Kabbalah] says his real sin was he stopped feeling worthy of being there.

Point is, we are allowed to make mistakes. All of us. That’s why one of my mother and teacher Karen Berg’s favorite sayings is, angels are in heaven. We are here precisely for the reason of falling - and getting back up.

But when our ‘sins’ make us feel that we are less, or that we don’t deserve to be alive, well, that’s the real sin.

Today, hold yourself to a higher standard, but not so high that you can’t reach it.

There's nothing worse than having something inside us and not being able to share it with someone. Part of what helps us reach those levels of fulfillment is sharing who we are with people.

2,000 years ago, when Rav Shimon, author of Kabbalah's holiest text, The Zohar, was hiding from the Romans in a cave (and channeling the wisdom that would become the basis of all Kabbalistic study), he received a message. A dove flew into his cave carrying a piece of paper with a question sent by his students from whom he was separated.

When he saw the question, he started to cry. It was painful for him to have the knowledge and yet have no one with whom to share it.

Today, share yourself. Let your friends and loved ones know how you are feeling and what is going on inside. We are programmed NOT to share but in truth, that's how we achieve happiness.

Our spiritual work is the only real work. It must be regarded at least as important as our day to day work, as important as the work that pays the bills - because it is what makes the difference in every area of our lives.

Working on ourselves is precisely what brings the prosperity, the health, the love and success in abundance.

Today, recognize that if you are not transforming from within, the external business (busyness) will get you nowhere. Work on you, and the rest of your work will take effect.

We're always asking for one miracle or another. But how often do we ask for miracles to happen to others?

This is the difference between being a vessel and being a channel. A vessel can only hold as much Light as its capacity allows. A channel, if constantly drawing down Light for others, can remain full while at the same time contain an infinite amount of Light.

Which would you rather be?

Today, think about your lover/friend/boss/dry cleaner/grandma/child - what miracle do they need? Be specific. Send the light of miracles to that person and you'll be full of the light of miracles.

Students of the great kabbalist Rav Menachem of Kotzk once asked him, “Where is God?” “Wherever you let him in,” he answered.

One way we “let him in” is through our heart.

Today, open your heart WIDE OPEN. Compassion for others’ suffering. Understanding of others’ pain. And tolerance of your own frustrations and failings.

Lots of students are in the dumps this week. They lost the inspiration of the holiday.

Remember, as it's written, "God is not far from you." Don't let your dark thoughts convince you you're too far from who you want to be, or that the mountain is too high to climb.

All of the answers and solutions are within you!

Today, take baby steps towards what you want to shift this year and let the Light guide you the rest of the way.

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