Ever get a bit frustrated by
life? Now that we are starting the new Jewish year of 5778, it’s a good time to
consider a new mindset. A few years back I read of a study conducted by Duke
University on "Peace of Mind.” The results of the study contained the
following nine factors which, when applied to one’s life, are most likely to
contribute to emotional and mental stability:
1)
The absence of
suspicion and resentment
2)
Living in the
present and the future
3)
Not wasting time
and energy fighting conditions you cannot change
4)
Cooperating with
life, instead of trying either to demolish it or run away from it
5)
Forcing yourself
to be outgoing with others, instead of retreating within during periods of
stress
6)
Refusing to pity
yourself or seek self-justification in easy alibis that make you appear
"noble" to yourself and others
7)
Cultivating the
old-fashioned virtues of love, honor, loyalty and thriftiness
8)
Not expecting
too much of yourself
9)
Find something
bigger than yourself in which to believe
I personally find a great deal of
practical Scriptural advice in this study. How about you?
Forward
for Messiah!
Kirk
Gliebe
Rabbi & Director
