16 lessons

The time has come to open the archives (blog) and find some of the timeless messages and lessons from our sages. I’ve chosen 16 of them to share with you.

1. I have learned… to appreciate and cherish different views than my own, and even thank G-d for it. For how boring would it be if we all thought, looked and spoke the same!

2. I have learned… that in everyone lies unlimited positive potential, and our job as parents, educators and friends is to dig and dig. Sometimes it can take years and years, to discover the gold that was always there.

3. I have learned… that our failures are a preparation for the growth that follows, i.e. Failure is a non-existing word; it’s but part one of the climb!

4. I have learned… that it’s never too late to change! All that is needed is a paradigm shift from “I can’t!” to “I can!”.

5. I have learned… that G-d is no more in the Himalayas than He is in the Dead Sea. Like the Kotzker Rebbe said: G-d is wherever you let Him in.

6. I have learned… that our soul is a candle and our teachers are the matches, but only we can ignite the flame.

7. I have learned… that when I come to Heaven, they won’t ask me why I wasn’t as righteous as Moses. Abraham or David; they will ask why I wasn’t myself…

8. I have learned… that leadership is not a birthright given to a select few. Each and every one of us is a leader and we must search for circumstances to practice it.

9. I have learned… that we are all role models either for good or the opposite; there is no running away from it.

10. I have learned… that ego equals low self esteem. Whereas humility leads to a healthy self esteem. Ego is about me. Self esteem is about my purpose.

11. I have learned… that when I miss a flight, there is no need for the plane to crash to convince me that it was Divine providence!

12. I have learned… that when talking to family or friend it’s not about what is spoken, but the love and warmth that is shared.

13. I have learned… that just as when one begins his journey one must know his destination, so too in life, we must have a clear vision and defined mission as we turn on our ignition.

14. I have learned… that to love the other I must first love myself. He who gossips proves his own self hate.

15. I have learned… that we must never cease learning…

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16. I have learned… to always smile…

“I’m nervous,” the patient tells the doctor. “It’s my first surgery!”
“Don’t worry,” the doctor replies. “It’s my first one as well!”