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In this issue
Nov. 6, 2009
Rabbi Berel Wein: Choosing to hear
JWisdom.com Zero to 1/60th: How to Empower An Hour with Gavriel Aryeh Sande (7 minutes)
Caroline B. Glick The mullahs' big week
Suzanne Fields A Fallen Wall for Fallen Man
Nov. 5, 2009
The Kosher Gourmet: Three scrumptious -- but simple -- butternut squash dishes
JWisdom.com Hidden Hints: Unlocking Faith & Prayer with Rabbi Jay Yaacov Schwartz (10 minutes)
Nov. 4, 2009
Tom Hamburger and Kim Geiger: Should prayers be covered?
JWisdom.com When God played peacemaker With Rabbi Sroy Levitansky (5 minutes)
Nov. 3, 2009
Martin Peretz: Beware, Barack. Beware, Rahm. Beware, Axelrod
JWisdom.com Are you are closet idolater? With Sara Yoheved Rigler (10 minutes)
Nov. 2, 2009
Paul Greenberg: The Holocaust is now on Facebook
JWisdom.com Abraham's Strange Change With Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer (5 minutes)
Oct. 30, 2009
Rabbi David Aaron: Secret to Immortality
Caroline B. Glick Silencing dissent in America
Oct. 29, 2009
Lini S. Kadaba: Do tactics avert flu or reduce humanity?
JWisdom.com We Must Revamp our Religious Vocabulary With Gavriel Aryeh Sanders ( 10 minutes)
Oct. 28, 2009
Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Atheists in Bubbleland
JWisdom.com Why what we wear impacts who we are With Rabbis Mordechai Becher, Menachem Golberger and Aliza Bulow ( 10 minutes)
Oct. 27, 2009
Paul Greenberg: The United Nations Is Outraged Again, Or: Department of Mideast Static
JWisdom.com The Science of Love With Rabbi Jonathan Rietti ( 7 minutes)
Oct. 26, 2009
The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Damaging disclosures with a twist
JWisdom.com Wisdom and Wonks With Rabbi Eytan Feiner ( 7 minutes)
Oct. 23, 2009
Rabbi David Aaron: Are you ready for the ultimate pleasure?
JWisdom.com Watermark and oneness with Rabbi Sroy Levitansky ( 4 minutes)
Caroline B. Glick Stop using limited powers in a way that expands our enemies' advantages over us
Oct. 22, 2009
Steven Emerson: Terror Cases Share Desire to Kill Americans
JWisdom.com No More More Family Fights --- Really? By Sarah Chana Radcliffe ( 5 minutes)
Oct. 21, 2009
Tonya Alanez: Holocaust denier sues survivor, calling Auschwitz memoir 'vicious lies'
JWisdom.com Meditating Jewishly: A Panacea for Success by Sarah Yoheved Rigler ( 7 minutes)
Oct. 20, 2009
Dennis Prager: Obama and Dalai Lama: Why Israel Worries about U.S. President
JWisdom.com Abraham was not religious By Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer ( 6 minutes)
Oct. 19, 2009
JWisdom.comWhy Good People Do Bad Things By Rabbi Eytan Feiner ( 7 minutes)
Oct. 16, 2009
Rabbi Yonason Goldson: The Perfect Number
JWisdom.com Hearing Voices By Rabbi Sroy Levitansky ( 5 minutes)
Caroline B. Glick How Turkey was lost
Oct. 15, 2009
Jeff Jacoby: Peace vs. the 'peace process'
JWisdom.com: Former MTV producer and stand-up comedian Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff: Taming a Control Freak (A VERY fast 15 minutes)
Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review

The Power of ‘Just’, Part II

By Rabbi Zelig Pliskin



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"The quality of your life is the quality of your on-going self-talk!"

Most people unconsciously engage in internal self-talk, and in this series, best-selling author Rabbi Zelig Pliskin guides the reader to achieve conscious awareness of meandering mental chatter and to transform it into a steady stream of purposeful thought.


Previously, we discussed some phrases that will overcome distress, accomplish despite difficulties, and experience more joy. We listed them. Now, we'll elaborate.


"Just apologize." Sincerely apologizing is the best way to overcome the resentment and negative feelings of someone who is angry with you. However, at times it can be very difficult to apologize. When you tell yourself, "Just apologize," it can become easier. If you really did something wrong, you have an obligation to apologize. At times, it's wisest to apologize even if you aren't really at fault. Your apology can create harmony. Have the strength and courage to "just apologize." Your sincere apology will totally calm some people. Even if you need to apologize a number of times and find the right things to say each time, your initial apology is still the first step forward.


"Just ask." You might find it difficult to ask someone a question or to ask someone to help you out. Telling yourself, "Just ask," might make it easier. Before saying these two words, you might have been debating whether or not to ask. Even though you know you have a right to ask and that it will be beneficial to ask, you feel a bit uncomfortable. As you say to yourself, "Just ask," you might just go ahead and actually ask. In most situations you will find that asking is much easier than you had expected.


"Just be." In some situations you might be trying too hard to impress others. Or you might be overly concerned with how other people see you and what they think about you. You might be causing yourself anxiety and nervousness about how to act and how to project yourself. "Just be" could be the best advice for you at these moments. Don't try so hard. Don't be overly concerned. "Just be" implies that you will just be your real and authentic self. Taking off the unnecessary pressure will enable you to be your best without worrying about it.


"Just bliss." When you say, "Just bliss," to yourself, you might remember how you felt when you experienced blissful feelings in the past. Your mind will access blissful times and moments from your life. Or you might create blissful feelings now, without recalling any specific incidents of being blissful.


As long as you've actually experienced bliss at any time and in any context, right now you might be able to create blissful feelings. You might find that saying these words only a few times won't change your feelings. But if you close your eyes and calmly repeat, "Just bliss," many times, you might be able to create these feelings. This is especially beneficial before praying. When you allow yourself to experience bliss before communicating with the Almighty, it will greatly add to your spiritual experiences.


"Just breathe." You are always breathing throughout the day. Sometimes you are not aware of your breathing. You aren't thinking about it and breathing is not on your conscious mind. But awareness of your breathing enables you to feel a greater amount of gratitude to the Creator for His benevolence and kindness in giving you an abundance of oxygen to keep you alive and well.


Telling yourself, "Just breathe," can be especially helpful when you are anxious or angry. Breathing slowly and deeply melts anxiety and anger. First of all, by focusing on your breathing instead of on the cause of your anxiety or anger, you are not adding to the distressing feelings. Your mind and body work together. So when you consciously breathe slowly and deeply, your brain accesses a calmer state of mind. This also enables you to think with greater clarity. "Just breathe" can be good advice to calm your nerves right before you take a test. Your memory will function at a higher level.


More tomorrow

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