Queens Jewish Link
Connecting the Queens Jewish Community 
How do you get through tough times? Perhaps you had a setback at school or work. Then again, without school, it’s really hard to know what day it is. Perhaps you feel pessimistic about your relationship, or put off by a close friend. Do you have life tools to cope with it all? The trouble with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back.
What will finally make you happy? Winning lotto? Is your dream to one day win Lotto, but you never buy lottery tickets? I know. The lottery keeps giving your money to someone else. Fur coats, jewelry, a luxury car? What’s your pleasure? More money? In the words of Jackie Mason: “Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.”
Wow, that idea started with you feeling scores of enthusiasm and excitement, and now you’re downhearted and dispirited. You just want to quit. I get it. Know this: We humans crave instant gratification. Admit it: We all love fast food. Then again, your fast food can be your last food. And doesn’t food look so much more scrumptious when you’re dieting? Oh, you’re a light eater. As soon as it’s light, you start to eat? But truthfully, when we want something, we want it now.
“Do good, and good will come to you.” Do you believe that? Do you trust that you somehow get punished for doing a good deed? Don’t most of us believe that helping others is actually a path to spirituality and even personal happiness? In fact, volunteering and doing others favors has proven to increase our health, helps us feel socially connected and purposeful.
Do you remember to open your mind before you open your mouth? How stubborn and set in your ways are you? Are you receptive to new ideas? Some of us get angry and antagonized when faced with an opposing view. Is that you perhaps? In order to tolerate others’ opinions, you may have to step out of your comfort zone. Well, no need to step so far out of your comfort zone that you forget how to get back.
We all crave emotional support at times. When was the last time you benefited from receiving advice? Did you actually feel better after her encouragement? Did his guidance make you feel more competent?
