We are creatures of habit -- we act by habit, we react by habit and, to a large extent, we even think by habit. And, in truth, it has to be that way. If we didn't act based on previously established patterns of behavior, life would be unmanageable. If every time we turned a corner we would have to think through the actions involved, our entire mind's focus would be on navigating the basics of living, with no upper brain room left for thinking. For that reason, HASHEM gave us this ability to put things on auto pilot, doing many activities without even giving them a second thought, thereby leaving us the ability to free our mind for more important things.While this reality is a fact of life, it also brings us face to face with one of the core realities of growth: our habits determine who we are and what we become. Assuming that some of my habits are in my best interest and some aren't, the question then becomes, "How do I change"?
This Shmuz helps us identify those habits that affect us, and then defines the strategies necessary to change them.
In this Shmuz we are introduced to the vital obligation upon every Jew to be involved in Kiruv, and some practical understandings as to how easy it for everyone, not just the Kiruv professional, to have a profound effect on the people around us.
STREAM, DOWNLOAD, WATCH THE SHMUZ #127 HERE!
Great Shmuz! Thanks Rabbi Shafier!
ReplyDelete-A loyal podcaster...I mean Shmuz-Caster
I thoroughly enjoyed this Shmuz and its message. However, I felt that there were certain details that warranted further discussion. My understanding of the shmuz's message was that most of our daily responses and activities are controlled by habits and by recognizing this we can change our habits for the better. This can be done by capturing the moments of our lives that can be viewed as messages from Hashem and locking in the associated emotions. However, I don't know how to lock in an emotion long enough to change a habit. Habits require repeated actions for extended periods of time and the human mind is programmed to forget.
ReplyDeleteIf changing your habits means training your Nefesh Habehami, should we use animal training techniques on ourselves?
ReplyDeletehey wysiwyg - you forget Shmuz #91 I Never Forget???
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeletehey wysiwyg - you forget Shmuz #91 I Never Forget??? "
From your flippant remark, I don't sense that you're taking my post seriously. I will respond nonetheless. Shmuz #91 "I never forget" discusses the eternal ability of a person's neshama to remember every single moment of his life. The shmuz explains, that although the human brain is limited and tends to forget, every single action that a person does is eternally recorded and remembered by his soul.
The time will come when we all will be able to access all of our events and emotions. However, at that time it will be too late to change our habits. At that time our habits will be who we are, molded by actions forever.
It is therefore necessary to create a strategy to help us remember in this life time. It was to this point that I was referring.
interesting to note that pharoh changed the work load of the jews not just to take away there time but to change the work that perhaps already became "habit"
ReplyDelete