Advice and Encouragement

Challenges don't knock people down. Negative thoughts do. With that in mind, today's podcast is an emotional rescue squad. If you're feel worry, depression or anxiety, try this proven ploy.

A pilot's life depends on his trusting his instrument panel rather than trusting his own logic. For a person to survive emotionally, he or she also must depend on a much more reliable source than their own clouded judgment.

Today's podcast is an emotional first-aid treatment. People have a terrible tendency people to blame themselves for things that go wrong in life. Taking responsibility for our actions is productive. Self-blame is not. Here's how to avoid it.

The photo you see are not fireworks; they're the recent missile attacks on the south of Israel where I live. Here's what I was thinking during the barrage this past Shabbat, These are the three words that we must engrave on our hearts, for they will always rescue us in times of trouble. You're never alone.

A flat tire is definitely not the end of the race. You can change it! Rebbe Nachman of Breslev says that if you believe you can ruin something, then believe that you can rectify it. This is not just a pleasant expression, but a signed promise in the Torah and a fact of life. The second chance we all get is a much more effective way to beautify and overhaul ourselves than plastic surgery, and a whole lot cheaper...

Today's podcast is a parable about the rewards we often fail to see for the good we do. Indeed, not only do we fail to hear a "thank-you", but we get hit on the head. What's happening and why?

There's nothing healthier for body and soul than a new beginning, making a fresh start. The spirit influences the body. So, when the spirit declares a fresh start, the body becomes rejuvenated! By removing the focus from our setbacks and disappointments, we avoid sadness and depression. And if we messed up by committing some transgression, we simply ask forgiveness from Hashem and promise to do our best to improve. Once we've made teshuva, the past is wiped away – the transgression no longer exists! Therefore, by declaring a new start, we destroy sadness and depression, especially the depression that follows a transgression.

Gisel, in her early 30's, suffered from obesity, terrible eczema and feet so swollen that she couldn't get out of bed. She lost her job. The doctors told her she'd need to go on a kidney machine. Then, a friend told her to contact Rabbi Lazer Brody. Here's her testimony, which she shares with the participants of Rabbi Lazer's weekly Zoom class.

Strong comebacks lead to great achievements and much better second efforts, so don't ever despair when you have a setback. In the next 5 minutes, we learn how to mobilize the strength within us to make a great comeback. It's the real deal. Rejected? Don't be dejected, just listen to this:

Here's how a small segment of the cogent "Nishmas" prayer helps us defeat worry and depression while overcoming that nagging acute problem that each of us has.

Today's podcast is an emergency mode of rescuing ourselves from abusive situations. We might have been bashed, bullied and beaten, but we're not beat.

"Seven Falls" is not some vacation spot in Colorado – we're talking about life's inevitable setbacks that knock us down and what to do about them.