Dont Quit!

by Mrs. Lori Palatnik

Conquering frustration in one area of your life.

Published: January 23, 2010

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Visitor Comments: 28

(28) terrin, February 3, 2010 4:31 AM

thank you

i really enjoy your stories and insights. thank you!! I think my item will be candle lighting. it is so simple but it seems that no matter how prepared I am-- i manage to blow it..a minute, 30 seconds 5 minutes etc.....it's really pathetic. .... i think i have such a hard time because it's non-negotiable.

(27) , January 31, 2010 4:49 AM

Exercise-finally doing it

Thanks for affirming what I'm doing this year. Since my son was born 4 years ago, I hadn't exercised at all. This past Rosh Hashana, I made a plan with my Rabbi, went to physical therapy, and now have a plan in place working out twice a week. It's sooooo hard to keep up with my 3 times a week at home exercises too (which I need to do), thanks for the reminder to keep at it!

(26) aviva, January 28, 2010 8:41 PM

thanks lori!!!! im determined to become fluent in hebrew. B'H soon!

(25) Anonymous, January 28, 2010 7:04 AM

Quitting was never an option for me.

Six years ago I was entrusted with the raising of my two precious grandchildren when their mother became unable to do so.Although there has been abundant frustration, quitting was never an option for me. I wanted to further my Jewish education, and found you and Aish.com to enable me to achieve both goals. The children and I learn on Aish.com together now! Thank you for helping me bring the illuminating light of Jewish learning to our next generation!

(24) Brenda Doubet, January 28, 2010 12:37 AM

Excellent points and ideas. Thank you!

(23) Anonymous, January 27, 2010 7:26 PM

My problem is to make a list becaus efocusing on the things that go wrong is depressing. I'd like to but most of the time, I find excuses not to do the list or stg on the list, I'd only do that in case of emergency. Sometimes I feel I'm paralysed by "lazyness" or is that so? Advise me to progress ! I'm trying to work on it for so long and never managed Thank you for your encouragement, I cried when I saw your video because I know I can be far more effiscient than I am today. Alexandra

(22) Anne, January 27, 2010 5:52 PM

The commentary gave me nudge I needed to resume my Hebrew lessons. Thank you.

(21) SusanE, January 27, 2010 3:57 PM

Peace of Mind

Remember the old saying "Stop to Smell the Roses"? There is a reason for that. About 35 years ago, we women especially, were conditioned to multi-task. Some madman decided we needed to jog and we needed special shoes and special clothes to do that. And instead of wasting time jogging we wore headphones so we could multi-task and learn a language, AND that was to be done on our lunch hour from work. That was the beginning of much frustration for many women. We were told our kids needed daycare to socialize when they were 3 years old. We were shown we needed to be in the workplace to afford a home, and the two cars in the garage. We were told we needed to accomplish X amount of tasks in X amount of hours a day. And, we were expected to do it well. Sleep less they said. Schedule your time. Do more, you can be super woman. ------------------ Why in the name of G-d would we want to overextend ourselves? It leads to unhappiness, frustration, illness, and pretty much leads to a women not ever having time to smell her own roses. Maybe ones' roses are music, or going to the shore. Maybe it's being with friends for the weekend. Perhaps it's being lost in beauty in an Art gallery. Doing mitzvot should give a sense of well being, and peace to us. It never hurts to try doing wonderful things that interest you. I wouldn't advise women to struggle with those things that frustrate them. Choose the things that you can do well and happily drop those things that you don't do well.

(20) David, January 27, 2010 1:43 PM

I got frustrated and quit making a list things that frustrate me and cause me to quit. Anyway, I wouldn't want to share a true uncensored list like that in public for all of the reasons that you can imagine about exposing personal information.

(19) Anonymous, January 27, 2010 7:25 AM

frustration

Why suffer ? There are lots of wonderful causes and self refinements and mitzvot to accomplish and work at instead of obsessing and worrying about frustrating experiences that are beyond your control. And therein lies the key. Determine what can be changed. Determine what cannot be changed. But at all times keep a focus on doing mitzvot. It's not easier , but it is more refined.

(18) Anonymous, January 27, 2010 2:31 AM

Thank you so much for posting this video. It gave me inspiration to go on with my engagement despite the frustrations that make it very hard.

(17) L. L. S., January 27, 2010 12:18 AM

Simple, encouraging wisdom!

Todah Rabah Lori! Your grace and wisdom encourage me exactly where HaShem knows I need it. His gifts are profoundly, generously given through you. Keep serving Him to bless many! And yes, I will work on my one thing to improve this year. May we all be strengthened together...

(16) BJ, January 26, 2010 10:06 PM

Getting back to basics

I was growing in my religious practice until the dead of winter hit me with depression as it usually does. Time for me to get back to lighting Shabbos candles, etc. Thanks for the inspiration.

(15) Jon, January 26, 2010 10:04 PM

I will work on Procrastination

I am going to work on Procrastination. I often get frustrated and overwhelmed and push things off to later. I am going to work on not doing this and on setting my priorities and doing them.

(14) mary ann, January 26, 2010 9:29 PM

in the midst of teardrops, thank you for reminding me not to quit.

(13) Susan, January 26, 2010 8:44 PM

Regaining Health

In order to keep my health, I have had to give up grains/sugars due to allergies. I have lost a few pounds in the process but it will take nearly 3 to 5 years to gain my health back and lose the weight and stay there I am told. I am 70 lbs over weight and have tried nearly everything... (Holistic Dr.) I get a cheat day every two weeks and I honestly feel horrible after ward...Well, with the long term goal, I am trying real hard to not give up! Thank you for your words of encouragement, I always listen to you before I go on to the others. You give me hope. Always.

(12) Anonymous, January 26, 2010 6:11 PM

Thanks for the boost!

I recently made a move across country after having finished an advanced degree. I can't really say that I feel "at home" yet, but little by little I am settling in. However, I let things like going to yoga and really watching what I eat slip by the wayside. I feel like a sloth. Sometimes it's easier to just continue along this path but I know that I would feel so much better, and be more positive, if I got back on track in these two areas. Thanks for the reminder to not let go, or not keep letting go, and to attend to what I want.

(11) Anonymous, January 26, 2010 3:12 PM

Thank you for the inspiration.

I will work on setting aside more time to listening to and shmoozing with my parents.

(10) L.S., January 25, 2010 9:59 PM

you rock!!!

Rebetzin Palatnik--you rock! What an inspirational video! Thank you so much for posting this! I am going to get back into yoga even though I have quit for 2 months, clean my apartment, and continue dating even though all these things frustrate me!

(9) Anonymous, January 25, 2010 4:19 AM

Lori-I love your speaches!!

Hi Lori! Are you planning to come to Chicago anytime soon?

(8) Gavin-Chaim, January 24, 2010 11:31 PM

Hashem doesnt quit

Imaging if Hashem quit!We would still be slaves in Egypt,the golden calf could have meant the end of the Jewish people nor would we have made it to Shabbat on the sixth day of creation! Dear Lori,my goal is to set aside a certain amount of Torah study a day and to stick to it.

(7) ana, January 24, 2010 7:39 PM

I'm going to be myself this year.

(6) Goldle S from Toronto, January 24, 2010 6:21 PM

very timely

Hi Lori - I took a break from cleaning out my basement to visit aish.com and hear you. I was amazed at the topic as I have recently completed the first semster of beginner's Hebrew which was on my list. The second has just begun and is hard and I was thinking of quitting, but after hearing you, I have decided to forge ahead - you always inspire me!

(5) Joanne, January 24, 2010 5:48 PM

Complete my novel

Thanks Lori for your boost of encouragement. I want to complete the novel that I am writing. It focuses on the pain, suffering, and liberation in my life. I am going to do this! I hope my story will inspire others to call on the strength of the Lord to overcome negativity. :)

(4) Jong, January 24, 2010 4:52 PM

Thanks Lori. Mine to work on is submitting things on time. I have been always procrastinating in keeping this particular promise. From now on I will pay special attention to it and will end this procrastination once and for all.

(3) Anon., January 24, 2010 4:47 PM

babies learning to crawl

Hi Lori, I was just picking my son up from the floor after trying to get him to be in the right form for crawling, (he's 7 and 1/2 months) and telling him not to get frustrated when I started listening to your video blog. Something big that I have given up on is a better relationship with my parents. Well, I haven't completely given up but close to it - I don't put in that much effort. My parents divorced when I was 11 and I have never really had a that great of a relationship with either of them. I am now 23, almost 24, living in Israel with my husband and son, and not having long distance phone and my parents neither having skype makes it frustrating trying to stay in touch with them and help them to feel a part of my life. I try to write and tell them they should get skype, and about stuff going on, but I have been here 5 months already without being able to speak with my father and only to my mother once with a phone card. I am going to keep on trying to connect one way or another with my parents. Thank you for sharing the message.

(2) Anon, January 24, 2010 4:17 PM

Thanks Lori! I'm going to work on allowing myself to have a dream for my life.

(1) Anonymous, January 24, 2010 1:17 PM

junk

Hi Lori :) I'm still listening from OZ. Thanks for your podcast. I'm going to get rid the big pile of clothes and junk in my room. It sounds like a small thing but it would really mean a lot. I'm not giving up.

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

More by this Author >

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

Dont Quit!

Conquering frustration in one area of your life.

Visitor Comments: 28

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