The world is filled with limitless opportunities for pleasure and enjoyment. What destroys this potential is that we become used to what we already have and take things for granted. We do not derive great joy and limitless pleasure from the natural world -- because we become habituated to its sights and experiences.
Today, try focusing your appreciation on an everyday occurrence you've been taking for granted. Here's one idea: Before eating, say the proper blessing and express gratitude to G-d for the good taste and sustenance of the food.
(see Rabbi Noson Tzvi Finkel, 20th century Jerusalem, in "Ohr
Hatzafun, vol.3, p.84; and see Rav Pliskin's "Gateway to Happiness,"
p.34)
See more Daily Lifts on the topic of
Appreciating what you have
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About the Author
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Rabbi Zelig Pliskin is a noted psychologist and prolific author of 24 books, including Guard Your Tongue, Gateway to Happiness, Gateway to Self Knowledge, Love Your Neighbor, Growth Through Torah, The Power of Words, Consulting the Wise, and the recent Life is Now. Rabbi Pliskin lives in Jerusalem, and is the director of Aish HaTorah's Counseling Center and a senior lecturer at Aish's Essentials program and the Executive Learning Center. He was ordained at the Telshe Yeshiva in Ohio and holds a degree in Counseling Psychology.
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(1) patricia, July 15, 2012 9:43 PM
It doesn't happen every day, but when the warm summer rain comes, I enjoy the feel of the rain on my face as I count my blessings and feel my stress and worries wash away. Every day our surroundings in nature shows the love and power of our Lord.