Character is seen either in a good light or bad light, depending on how we view it. Giving love and kindness to a child shows good character, unless the child becomes spoiled and selfish. Showing anger about things which negatively impacts others shows strength, unless that anger is used against someone for no good reason.

Your character traits are wonderful gifts. Used wisely you can feel good about yourself. But we are all imperfect. We sometimes lose control. Don’t forget that when observing others, as we are all children from the same Parent.

How can we justify something bad happening to someone who is good? One explanation is deeply mystical in nature: Through reincarnation.

You are accused of owing a debt. You know you don’t owe anything, but nevertheless the Omniscient obligates you to pay up. You shouldn’t be haunted by questioning The One – who is truth, peace, happiness and justice – by thinking it’s unfair and asking, “Where is the joy in this outcome?”

A kabbalistic answer is you owed the debt in a previous incarnation, and The Divine is now making you pay in order to free you from your old debt. As for the individual who took your debt deceitfully, that person will ultimately have to account for that immoral action.

The Creator of the world and all souls knows what happened with us in previous lives, and supervises life corresponding to sacred spirit and energy; with love, compassion, righteousness and true justice.

When your home feels peaceful and comfortable (homey – or haimish as I describe it) to you, it is much easier for your spirit to feel the same way when you are there. That feeling of tranquility and comfort also extends out to guests in your home.

Your home represents more than who or what you are; it represents your state of mind and your state of being.

I keep a card holder on my desk with the “Roman Rule” on it, which states, “If you believe something can’t be done, don’t interfere with the one who is doing it.”

Never take the position that something can’t be done. If you do, you foretell your own failure. Keep a positive attitude and your chances of things happening the way you want them to will occur more often than not.

Can you imagine what it would be like to not have the things you should be grateful for? It’s difficult, but let’s try.

Imagine you’re in a nursing home (Heaven forbid), confined to a bed with tubes and catheters stuck inside you because you can’t move, see, hear or speak – and no one visits you, ever! You’re in a dark place, all alone, immovable, senseless, unable to have communication, and you can’t do anything about it.

Now imagine you’re in a Third World country, your stomach constantly aching because you are starving, hardly able to move since your limbs are weak from malnutrition, barely talking as your throat is raw from thirst, being naked and ashamed since your last bit of clothing had worn away, and your only rest is under a tree, hoping a carnivore won’t attack you during your sleep.

So now is a good time to appreciate and enjoy all you have. Give thanks, and be grateful for at least one person or thing in your life each day. If not for the Grace of God, you would not be where you are or have what you possess. Don’t forget how lucky and blessed you are to be in your situation, regardless of what’s going on in your life right now.

Sometimes when we realize the truth it can be blinding, like turning on a light on a pitch black morning; or it might come faintly, seemingly far away, becoming brighter as we get closer to it.

It’s not so much that darkness, which is our ignorance, is displaced when light emerges. The light, the truth, is always there. But sometimes we just can’t see it. When you take off your societal sunglasses, you’ll see the world in all its glory.

You’ve heard the saying, “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

Very true. It’s admirable to give to your friends, family, or group. But that’s not being truly benevolent. That comes when you willingly help a stranger as comfortably as one you cherish. Otherwise, you are consciously or unconsciously serving your best interest. True goodness is indiscriminate, and giving anonymously can bring the greatest spiritual reward.

I prefer to think a friend in need is a friend in deed.

If someone does something to “push your button” and you get angry, step away, look away, or just breathe deeply. Proactivity is good, but reactivity can have negative effects. Before losing your temper, be proactive. Work to control that dark emotion. Otherwise you may regret the outcome.

If you need help, share your bad feeling with a confidant. It will subside. Then your spirit, and everyone else’s, will benefit – because you were strong enough not to succumb to your dark side.

Has there been a time when you allowed something to happen, and later thought you should have done or said something about it?

Don’t feel uneasy about being assertive, especially when a situation dictates you should take a stand. When you feel strongly about something, take appropriate action or at least speak up. Just remember to be respectful when you do so. Then, when you reflect on what you did, your spirit can feel honorable.

Maimonides, one of history’s most enlightened men, said the highest level of giving charity is by helping someone to become self-sufficient. By doing this you not only give of your time, money or energy, you give that needy person something of greater value… you instill in him/her self worth and self respect

When you find people who need a job, do what you can to help them earn some money. Give them some work to do, assist them in getting a job interview, help them to market themselves, discover a skill they have which might be turned into something income producing, or even give them a little seed money to become an entrepreneur.

By doing this you will perform at the highest level of charity giving. They will appreciate it, but you will feel the greatest appreciation from within.