If you feel spiritually heavy, pause and check the weight you’re carrying.

Sadness blocks movement.

Joy allows strength to emerge.

Sadness doesn’t just feel unpleasant,

it makes the soul feel heavy,

and when the soul feels heavy,

its strength can’t come out.

But real life brings real pain:

Health. Livelihood. Family. Delays. Disappointment. Spiritual struggle.

So the question is simple:

How do we stay joyful when life hurts?

Today, Tanya gives a radical shift.

Not “stay positive.”

A deeper way of reading reality.

Why, Hashem, why?!

Oh… that’s why.

When we’re in the middle of hardship, it can feel dark, endless, and hopeless.

The pain fills our vision.

The uncertainty makes it feel like there’s no way out, as if this stage will last forever.

But once we move through it, which we always do with Hashem’s help, everything becomes clear.

The “Why?!” suddenly makes sense.

We see how every piece mattered.

How each step was necessary.

How what once felt unbearable actually pushed us to grow, to learn, and to deepen our Bitachon and our connection to Hashem and our neshama.

Only then do we realize that this difficult chapter helped shape the most refined version of who we are meant to become.

But don’t wait until the ending to trust.

Yes, after the darkness passes, we will look back with gratitude and understanding.

But the real work is done while things are still unclear.

The key is to keep turning to Hashem now.

To strengthen our Bitachon now.

To move forward with calm, inner strength, and even joy, rooted in the knowledge that Hashem is with us every step of the way.

He is guiding the process.

He always has been.

In the end, everything will work out.

The only regret is wasting energy on unnecessary worry.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe once urged a chossid who was stuck in worry and pessimism to redirect his thoughts toward Bitachon. When the man continued to worry, the Rebbe said:

“The day will come when everything works out. And then you’ll look back and regret how much time, energy, and pain you put yourself through by choosing to worry.”

Let that day come without regret.

Unity does not ask us to erase our differences or to become the same. It invites us to walk side by side, honoring the unique journeys, perspectives, and experiences each person brings. Every individual carries an unseen world within them, shaped by joys, struggles, and hopes we may never fully know. When we choose respect over judgment, we create space for genuine connection, allowing understanding to grow where division once stood.

Our differences are not obstacles to unity; they are the very foundation on which it stands. Each perspective adds depth, color, and insight. When we act with openness and tolerance, walls become windows, differences become doorways, and strangers become neighbors. In that shared space, we grow fuller and stronger, and become more whole than we ever could alone.

True strength is found not in standing above others, but in standing with them. It is built through patience, kindness, and the courage to hold space for opinions that challenge the way we think. Each small act of respect plants seeds of trust and belonging, slowly shaping communities where dignity is protected and every voice matters. Over time, these seeds grow into bonds that sustain, uplift, and unite.

In this way, unity becomes not uniformity, but a living mosaic – a symphony of many hearts, each distinct, yet beating together. When we honor both our shared humanity and our unique differences, we create a future shaped not by division, but by compassion, resilience, and hope, until what once divided us becomes our greatest bond and our greatest strength.

Inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook (1865-1935)

The Purpose

By Tzvi Freeman

There are infinite worlds beyond ours and beyond the worlds of the angels, all full of divine light, beauty and oneness.

But know also that all this was brought into being with a single purpose: G‑d desires to be at home within your mundane world.

Have you ever felt like two different people inhabit your mind—one uplifting and the other self-sabotaging? Let's explore this inner duality and discover how to harmonize these conflicting voices.

Meet Your Inner Characters:

1.     The Supportive Self: This is the voice that encourages, uplifts, and believes in your potential.

2.     The Critical Self: This voice undermines your confidence, often echoing negative self-talk.
 

Self-Reflection Exercise:

Take a moment to write down:

·        Situations where you feel empowered and the thoughts accompanying them.

·        Moments when self-doubt creeps in and the narratives that play in your mind.

By identifying these patterns, you can begin to understand and manage your internal dialogue.
 

Transforming Your Inner Dialogue:

·        Acknowledge Both Sides: Recognize that both voices exist and that awareness is the first step to change.

·        Challenge Negative Thoughts: When the critical self speaks, question its validity. Is there evidence to support these thoughts?

·        Cultivate Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the kindness you would offer a friend. Replace self-criticism with supportive affirmations.
 

Understanding and balancing these inner voices can lead to a more harmonious and fulfilling life. Embrace your duality, and unlock the secrets to your transformation.

Behind every smile is an untold struggle. Be the reason why someone feels included, welcomed, supported, safe, and valued – sometimes the smallest kindness can bring someone the greatest comfort.

Inspired by the teachings of Rebbe Nachman (1772-1810)