Five Enduring Lessons for Positive Change: Insights Inspired by the Rebbe
At times, we all experience stretches when life feels overwhelming or uninspired. It might come as exhaustion, apathy, or that deep-seated question: "Where do I go from here?" In such moments, tapping into enduring wisdom can serve as a lifeline. Drawing on personal experience and countless encounters, Rabbi Simon Jacobson shares five transformative lessons he discovered from the Rebbe—guidance that continues to inspire people from every background to this day.
1. Every Experience Holds Purpose
One of the most empowering messages is that nothing in life is random or wasted. When faced with challenges, the Rebbe would encourage looking for meaning within the struggle. For instance, after a significant personal setback, Rabbi Jacobson reframed disappointment by seeking out the opportunity for growth embedded in that loss, turning a difficult period into a catalyst for greater purpose. Try journaling daily about your experiences, focusing not just on the events but on what can be learned from them.
2. Action Trumps Apathy
The Rebbe often pressed for movement over inertia. If you’re stuck in a rut, doing something — no matter how small — begins to shift your state. Rabbi Jacobson describes moments of feeling “not himself,” but notes that taking even one constructive step, be it reaching out to help someone or learning a new piece of wisdom, can reignite the spark. Identify one positive action you can take today, however modest, and commit to it.
3. Create Shared Impact
Wisdom shines brightest when shared. Instead of keeping inspiration to oneself, the Rebbe instructed his followers to bring others into the journey. Rabbi Jacobson often recalls transformative conversations in which skepticism and faith collided, prompting mutual growth. Start a discussion group or simply share a meaningful passage with a friend. Opening up to others multiplies the power of inspiration.
4. Start Fresh, Stay Curious
Rather than repeating old patterns, this lesson is about infusing situations with new ideas and energy. After years spent in routine, Rabbi Jacobson was once forced to completely pivot his focus, and discovered that approaching each day with curiosity—asking new questions and seeking new angles—opened unimagined opportunities. Challenge yourself to learn something new each week and reflect on what fresh perspectives it brings to your life.
5. Demand Relevance from Spirituality
The Rebbe’s teachings were always directed at practical living, not abstract ideals. Spirituality, he stressed, must provide tools for daily life—comfort in sorrow, strength in adversity, and direction in uncertainty. Rabbi Jacobson encourages applying ancient wisdom to real dilemmas, be it through meditation, prayer, or deep reflection on scriptural passages, seeking answers for current questions.
Bringing Principles into Practice
The beauty of these lessons is their everyday applicability. The next time you feel stagnation or self-doubt, remember that meaning can be drawn from every experience, and even tiny acts have power. Engage with others, keep seeking novelty, and demand that your inner values translate into actual guidance. By taking these messages to heart, you join a timeless journey of personal and communal transformation.
For deeper insight into these five enduring lessons, watch the full class here: Five Lessons from the Rebbe.
