silence

{acp _pattern 248}{acp top-intro/}Silence offers deeper engagement with the world.Silence is the ultimate purity in speech. By immersing ourselves in moments of silence (apart from technology and social interactions), we can begin to listen to greater things as Hashem speaks to us through our souls, minds, and hearts.Perfecting this trait allows one to know when to speak and when not to speak. When we exemplify silence so as to not commit lashon hara (evil speech), we are using our speech in the purest way possible. However, silence can also be a detriment if someone is counting on you to say something to uplift, defend or contribute. A perfect balance of this trait is using every word for higher reasons, not just to fill the air. Before you open your mouth, be silent and reflect: “What benefit will my speech bring to me or others?”Suggested practices:

• Say only positive words regarding a situation or person.
• Listen more than you speak this week.
• Practice being comfortable with silence in a conversation and don’t seek to fill the quiet spaces with awkward conversation.
• If a situation arises and someone or a group needs defense, do not be silent. Rather gently defend by commenting or speaking your truth to correct and bring honor. Do not be complicit.{acp /top-intro}

{acp top-intro-old/}"Before you open your mouth, be silent and reflect: 'What benefit will my speech bring me or others?'" --Rabbi M.M. Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefeshSilence is the ultimate purity in speech.  As the menorah in the Temple represented purity and brilliance, so too do we shine like a menorah when we guard our words.  When we exemplify silence so as to not commit lashon hara, we are using our speech in the purest way possible.  Before you open your mouth, be silent and reflect: "What benefit will my speech bring to me or others?"{acp /top-intro-old}{acp top-image images/stories/middot/10-silence.jpg}{acp print-version print/W10-silence.pdf}{acp daily-cat-intro-count 2}{acp quotes-cat 389}{acp meditation-cat 391}{acp torah-cat 392}{acp mesorah-cat 393}{acp besorah-cat 394}{acp daily-cat 395}{acp stories-cat 396}{acp accounting-cat 397}{acp podcast-cat 247}{acp _end} 

 

 "Before you open your mouth, be silent and reflect: 'What benefit will my speech bring me or others?'" --Rabbi M.M. Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefeshSilence is the ultimate purity in speech.  As the menorah in the Temple represented purity and brilliance, so too do we shine like a menorah when we guard our words.  When we exemplify silence so as to not commit lashon hara, we are using our speech in the purest way possible.   Before you open your mouth, be silent and reflect: "What benefit will my speech bring to me or others?"

humility

[middahsummarypage middah="humility" topintro='Between superior and nothing, I exist.Humility is about seeking a level playing field between all people. In displaying this trait, one does not seek to degrade or puff up oneself or others. Mashiach Yeshua says, “The greatest among you shall be to you as a servant. Everyone who lifts himself up will be brought low, but everyone who lowers himself will be lifted up.” (Matthew 23 : 11-12, DHE). Humility out of balance can appear two ways. One extreme displays haughtiness, while the other extreme displays groveling and self-deprecation. The obvious middle is where humility shines.Suggested exercises:

• In a conversation, focus intently on what the other person is saying and not on what you will say next.
• Practice active listening and talk less.
• Prefer someone’s needs over yours.
• When someone says something that does not agree with your opinion, considering holding your tongue and letting it go.

Memory Verse: "Always seek to learn wisdom from every man, to recognize your failings and correct them." --Rabbi M.M. Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefeshPeople who possess this trait are conscientious in their relationships with each other and in their demeanor.  They seek neither to degrade nor puff up those around them, nor think to highly or lowly or themselves.  Mashiach Yeshua plainly says, "The greatest among you shall be to you as a servant. Everyone who lifts himself up will be brought low, but everyone who lowers himself will be lifted up."  (Matthew 23 : 11-12, DHE).']

equanimity

{acp _pattern 248}{acp top-intro/}I have control over only so much and I surrender to that.Equanimity is about having balance, level-headedness and calmness of spirit. It is approaching all situations and rising above them, realizing their temporary nature and working through them whether they be good or bad. Equanimity imbalanced can either appear as out of control and hysterical, or completely oblivious and apathetic. Achieving a middle ground of equanimity is ideal, as it is the means by which we can go from situation to situation with grace.Suggested exercises:

• When something challenging happens, quote the memory phrase before reacting.
• View a challenge as a test and score high by staying calm.
• React to an unpleasant situation by finding the positive in it and speaking it.{acp /top-intro}

{acp top-intro-old/}Memory verse: “Rise above the good and the bad for they are not worth disturbing your calmness of soul.” (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin, Cheshbon haNefesh)Equanimity is balance, level-headedness and calmness of spirit. With this trait, we can rise above events — both bad and good.{acp /top-intro-old}{acp top-memory/}Memory verse: “Rise above the good and the bad for they are not worth disturbing your calmness of soul.” (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin, Cheshbon haNefesh){acp /top-memory}{acp top-image images/stories/middot/01-equanimity.jpg}{acp print-version print/W01-equanimity.pdf}{acp quotes-cat 231}{acp inspiration-cat 232}{acp meditation-cat 233}{acp torah-cat 234}{acp mesorah-cat 235}{acp besorah-cat 236}{acp daily-cat 237}{acp stories-cat 238}{acp accounting-cat 239}{acp podcast-cat 237}{acp _end}

order

{acp _pattern 248}{acp top-intro/}Strive for order gracefully and peaceably.Order gives structure to our days and environment so as to maximize our ability and effectiveness. However, order can be demonstrated in unhealthy ways. Order out of balance can either appear completely obsessive and neat to a fault, while on the other end of the spectrum a total lack of order appears as chaos and disarray. Those who embody order have actions, possessions and tasks all of an orderly nature – everything has a set place and a set time.Suggested exercises:

• Look at your daily routine and see if it is working; if not, change some part of your routine so it is more lifegiving.
• Take a room or space that is out of order and make a plan to organize it.
• Take an area or your life that needs discipline (health, fitness, prayer) and make a plan to make time for it.{acp /top-intro}

{acp top-intro-old/}Memory verse: "All your actions and possessions should be orderly -- each and every one in a set place and at a set time." -- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefeshThose who possess order in their lives are a beacon to those around them.  This trait is also coupled with faithfulness and the ability to stay on task. Those who embody order have actions/tasks all of an orderly nature – everything has a set place and at a set time.  {acp /top-intro-old}{acp top-memory/}"All your actions and possessions should be orderly -- each and every one in a set place and at a set time." -- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefesh {acp /top-memory} {acp top-long-def/}Those who possess order in their lives are a beacon to those around them.  This trait is also coupled with faithfulness and the ability to stay on task. Those who embody order have actions/tasks all of an orderly nature – everything has a set place and at a set time. {acp /top-long-def}{acp top-image images/stories/middot/03-order.jpg}{acp print-version print/W03-order.pdf}{acp daily-cat-intro-count 2}{acp middah-cat 252}{acp quotes-cat 253}{acp inspiration-cat 254}{acp meditation-cat 255}{acp torah-cat 256}{acp mesorah-cat 257}{acp besorah-cat 258}{acp daily-cat 259}{acp stories-cat 260}{acp accounting-cat 261}{acp podcast-cat 240}{acp _end}

decisiveness

{acp _pattern 248}{acp top-intro/}To decide is to affect change.Decisiveness requires one to act with sufficient forethought to make a decision with the best chance for success, but with willingness and readiness so as not to miss the opportunity.Suggested practices:

• Take some time to go through your closets/dressers/garage/basement and decide which items do not serve you anymore. Bring those items to a nearby donation store/drop-off point.
• Bring to mind a decision that you have been wavering on and contemplate/research all options and act.
• Create a plan for your week perhaps in meals, scheduling, budgeting your money, recreation, fitness, etc... See if planning and organization helps you in the area of decisiveness regarding this matter.
• Lay out an outline of a plan for the year and write down some steps on how you will decide to pursue that plan.{acp /top-intro}

{acp top-memory/} "All your actions should be preceded by deliberation; when you have reached a decision, act without hesitating." -- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefesh{acp /top-memory}{acp top-long-def/}Mashiach Yeshua speaks against wavering and half-hearted observance . We need to learn how to be informed and courageous so that we are not indecisive - for this can cause others to go astray, missed opportunities or worse yet, tragedy.{acp /top-long-def}{acp top-image images/stories/middot/04-decisiveness.jpg}{acp print-version print/W04-decisiveness.pdf}{acp quotes-cat 281}{acp inspiration-cat 282}{acp meditation-cat 283}{acp torah-cat 284}{acp mesorah-cat 285}{acp besorah-cat 286}{acp daily-cat 287}{acp stories-cat 288}{acp accounting-cat 289}{acp podcast-cat 241}{acp _end}