G-d's Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes,
Which G-d gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all you sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys in the gold."


I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,
Both my joys and sorrows I stored;
But though the gold became heavier each day,
The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black,

I wanted to find out why,

And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole 

Which my sorrows had fallen out by.


I showed the hole to G-d, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be!"
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My  child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go."

Embroidery

a piece of cloth
with stitches
stitches and stitches
colorful stitches
stitches on a cloth
look look under
under the cloth
snags
snags and knots
jumbled threads
no order
no pattern ugh!!
now look
look at the top
the top of the cloth
beautiful stitches
colorful stitches
patterns of stitches
now nice!!
a cloth is spread 
spread over the world...

One Step Forward

So many times in life we try to take a step forward but it hurts, it physically hurts to change.  We feel something pulling us back, giving us all the excuses in the book even though we know it's the right thing and yet we still can't manage to bring ourselves to do it.  Or better yet, we do over come that obstacle and only too soon do we find ourselves back in the same predicament, back to square one.  Why does Hashem send us these challenges? Why can't it be that we spot a sore area and fix it right away?  Smooth, simple and easy. 

Rabbi Lazer Brody helps us understand this concept.

"So many people crave comfort-zone lifestyles. Yet, you can't be a champion unless you break out of the comfort zone. In spirituality as well as in athletics, pain makes gain.

The difficulties in each of our lives are all from Hashem's lovingkindness, to help us grow and realize our potential. Without the challenges that force us to develop and mobilize our capabilities to the hilt, we'd all probably wallow in the muck and mire of mediocrity. Hashem wants us to be our best, so He sends a cloud here and there to block the sunlight and clear skies.

Sunsets would be boring without a few clouds. The clouds make the suns rays look spectacular.

The periodic difficulties in our lives only make Hashem's salvations look more spectacular. When you think about it, rising to a major challenge really does make life more beautiful."

Hashem gives us these difficulties as a gift.  We are so lucky to have them, for those who live a "perfect" life are  the ones who should worry.  Hashem loves us and cares for us that's why he sends these challenges.

It takes a lot of strength to overcome our Yetzer Hara but as soon as we do, it's the greatest feeling in the world. That pain allows us to feel true simcha and we get to move up a rung on the ladder; and what better feeling is there than being a step closer to Hashem!

The Daffodil Principle

I came across this article a few years back.  It's message is simple and clear. Seize the moment, for even the smallest amount will turn into something beautiful, that is, because the smallest amount is beautiful.

 

The Daffodil Principle

Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, " Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead.

"I will come next Tuesday," I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch.

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!"  I assured her.

"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car."

"How far will we have to drive?"

"Just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"

"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."

"It's all right, Mother, I promise.  You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road

Welcome

Welcome everyone!

Here on Mi La'shem Elai, we hope to give over words of chizuk and thought provoking articles.  Enabling each person to take some food for thought.  Whether you can incorporate something new into your daily life or even if it's something that finally clicks five years down the line. It's all good and I hope, with the help of many other people involved, that we can bring you closer to Hashem.  It's important at this time to try our best to move even just one tiny step closer, but what's most important is that we be happy with who we are and where we are.  With our simcha, our happiness, we can grow and come close to Hashem!

If anyone has question or thoughts they would like to share or to be discussed and addressed, please feel free to send an email.  We will, with Hashem's help, get back to you as soon as possible and with answers to help you in those areas.

With great thanks to Hashem,
CB