July 27th, 2026
by Sy Dorfman
When I’m looking at a person
And they’re coming right towards me
Inside my mind I will describe exactly what I see
I’m giving my opinion
and telling how I feel
I know this might sound crazy
But this is what is real.
To see a person as they are
To look at many things
To see and view the details
And the interest that it brings.
To smile and uplift others
Will make their day seem bright,
That smile will give them comfort
It’s like a shining light.
And when you start to listen
To someone that is there,
They’ll see that you’ve shown interest
By being so sincere.
They’ll talk about a subject
And hope that you will share
You’ll give them your attention
And then they’ll know you care.
So when you’re in the present
No need for asking why
It’s happening as you see it
Right before your eye.
So what is your reaction
To what you clearly see?
Are you complimenting others
And letting people be the way they want to be?
So when you’re accepting a person
For the way they want to be
Isn’t that more important
Than the negatives that you see?
If they’re making you feel happy
And you see them as a star,
Then you’re showing acceptance
For the way they really are.
And they will really feel good
When they know that you’re there,
And they’ll really feel special
When they see that you care.
So the more you give to others
The more others will give back to you,
And that’s how you’ll know
That those feelings are true.
The future and the past
will tell you how to feel
So focus on the present
And then you’ll know what’s REAL.
Tags: freedom, hunger
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July 20th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
How do you deal with setbacks and disappointments? Knowing how to react to these situations tells you a lot about the resilience of a person.
How to navigate these difficulties is the challenge that we have to deal with. Your life is an ongoing journey- However, if you see life as instant gratification or uncomfortable moments and you’re being stimulated by it—that’s like living in fantasy land because you’re seeing the moment as the beginning and end of it all.
So what tools and skills and attitude do we need on our journey to travel well? You need to have a goal and destination in order to navigate and know where you’re going.
The fact is, we need a captain. The captain is your mind. So the key thing to remember is you always have a captain that is prepared to deal with a situation before an emotional storm strikes.
The captain has a sense of direction and anticipates and allows your soul to speak and tells the body where to go. The captain has a plan and has a preemptive approach and has trained himself to know what to do in a given circumstance.
You don’t let a setback affect you. Don’t ever give in. Don’t ever blame yourself. Have negative feelings and don’t ever give up to voices of resignation.
However, if you use your tools and skills and you actively see and visualize the way you want to be and what you want to accomplish before a challenge comes up—then you can actually train yourself to focus and forge ahead on what you can do about it.
And actually, you can train your mind to look and see it happening before you’re actually faced with that challenge.
Then you will be able to go through difficult situations and use these tools as springboards for growth. If you know that you have that confidence and navigational spirit, then nothing can break you.
If you have something spiritual that you can always fall back on—something that inspires you—something that makes you feel very good about yourself—something that gives you the confidence to feel successful and proud of yourself—then you have holy words that can protect you from any storm and this attitude will help you to take on any challenge.
See if you can make the day better for someone else. Brighten up their day. Always have a positive attitude. Complimenting others and making them feel important and special—and always try to visualize in your mind the way you would like to approach a situation—and all these skills will act as springboards for growth.
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July 13th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
When I look inside myself and look at my mind,
a very special person is what I will find.
It takes a lot of work to be better than the rest,
but I know I can do it, and I know I’m the best.
I have all the skills that will make me a star,
and when I start to focus, I will go very far.
I’ll go at it alone, that’s how it must be.
I can’t be right for anybody else if I’m not right for me.
I will always feel proud when I look up and pray.
It makes me feel good that I did it my way.
I like who I am, and I’m happy, you see,
and the love that I have is because I’m proud to be me.
And when you could look at others that way,
they’ll feel very special, because you brighten their day.
And they will really feel good when they know that you’re there.
And they’ll really feel special when they see that you care.
It’s not about me and all the things that I need,
but when you give to others, you will be planting a seed.
A seed that will grow and blossom in time,
then others will know that you created a sign.
A sign that will say that I care about you,
and when I give my love and please others, it will make me feel good too.
So try to please others by going out of your way,
and then you will know that you’re having a great day.
So when you make others feel special, and they see that you care,
you will brighten their day, because they’ll know that you will always be there.
So the more you give to others, the more others will give back to you,
and that’s how you know that those feelings are true.
Tags: freedom, hunger
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July 5th, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
1. Don’t focus on yourself. Focus on what needs to be done. Focus on making others feel important and special. If you focus on your own inadequacies, you will fail. You’re needed to help others and make them feel important and special.
2. It’s not about you. It’s not about wanting others to make you feel good. It’s not about expecting others to satisfy your needs. Focus on awareness. Temptation is a moment of insanity. It’s not important what you did before. It’s important what you’re gonna do next.
3. It’s not about satisfying your self-interests and emotional needs. The most important thing is to react in a new way. Whatever you want to do is your flaming desires—quick thrills and speedy passions. That’s what you have to go against. Sometimes doing things that you don’t feel like doing makes the suffering disappear.
4. You will always succeed if you struggle. Don’t be afraid to rough yourself up. When you don’t want to do something, when you don’t like something, it is essential to keep dissatisfaction alive—because now you’re confronting a real challenge. If you don’t want to do something, maybe that’s what you have to do.
5. Growth only comes when you get out of your comfort zone.
6. You initiate something new and different in your life. If you want something to happen, then you make it happen.
7. To not dislike a situation that you would normally dislike frees you from its potential control over you.
8. Find something good to say about people. If you look for the good, you’ll find plenty of good. You’ll be more positive, and it will absolutely make you feel good.
9. The secret is: the most important things in life are not something you’re gonna get or it’s gonna be given to you on a silver platter. Happiness, pleasure, joy, feeling good —it’s not “if I had this or that right now everything would be great.” It doesn’t work that way. If you’re in a bad mood, it’s not whether you’re in the mood to do something or need something. The greatest things come under pressure. The thing we hate most sometimes can turn out to be the best thing for us. Success only comes that way. If you’re willing to accept that challenge—even though you’re uncomfortable—you will always be successful, confident, and you will always have self-esteem.
Tags: freedom, hunger
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July 1st, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
When anxiety becomes a habit
I would say it’s a fear,
It is something that I need
And it follows me everywhere.
It’s like a tempting force
That’s pushing me to feel a certain sense of pleasure,
And it’s tempting to my mind
Then why do I feel it’s not the treasure I was hoping to find.
So what do I do
And how do I speak,
And how do I face discomfort
When I’m negatively weak.
I was told to make a commitment
A ritual that I should say,
Something that would prevent me
From letting temptation have its way.
So when I choose to sacrifice my comfort
And when I acknowledge my fear,
Isn’t that more important
To be fully aware.
And yes, awareness is the key
That tells me how to feel
And when I’m not afraid to face discomfort
I will finally realize that this is what is real.
Note: To not dislike a situation that you would normally dislike
Frees you from its potential control over you
Tags: freedom, hunger
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June 29th, 2026
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we are invited to pause and reflect on a profound question: What is the secret of this nation’s strength?
The Lubavitcher Rebbe often spoke about the unique role of the United States in history. He saw America not merely as a political entity or an economic powerhouse, but as a nation founded upon a moral vision rooted in the belief that human rights come from a Higher Power. The Declaration of Independence does not grant rights; it recognizes that they are endowed by the Creator. This simple but revolutionary idea—that every human being possesses inherent dignity because he or she is created by God—lies at the heart of the American experiment.
The founders understood that liberty cannot survive without moral responsibility. Indeed, they viewed Independence Day not simply as a celebration of freedom, but as an occasion for gratitude to Divine Providence. America was born not only through courage and sacrifice, but through an acknowledgment that blessings come from Above.
The Rebbe arrived on American shores in 1941, the very year Congress officially established July 4th as a federal holiday. He often pointed to the remarkable opportunities this country provided. For Jews fleeing persecution and oppression, America became a refuge. For Torah life, it became fertile ground. And for the broader world, it became a beacon of liberty and moral possibility.
Yet the Rebbe emphasized that gratitude is not simply about appreciating the past. Gratitude carries responsibility.
In a message marking America’s anniversary, the Rebbe stressed the importance of recognizing the blessings we enjoy in this country. Not only material prosperity, but the deeper gifts that are so easily taken for granted: freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, respect for human dignity, and the opportunity for people of different backgrounds to live together and contribute to the common good.
This is especially meaningful to Jews. The very name Yehudi (Jew) derives from hoda’ah, gratitude and acknowledgment. To be a Jew is to recognize that life itself is a gift. Gratitude is not merely good manners; it is a way of seeing the world.
And gratitude, the Rebbe taught, must lead to action.
When we appreciate a blessing, we do not simply enjoy it—we ask ourselves how to use it. If we are blessed with freedom, how can we use that freedom to strengthen our communities? If we are blessed with opportunity, how can we use it to help others? If we are blessed to live in a nation that protects faith and human dignity, how can we contribute to preserving and advancing those values?
As America marks 250 years, this is perhaps the most fitting response: not complacency, not cynicism, but gratitude coupled with responsibility.
America is not perfect. No nation is. But the greatness of a nation is measured not by perfection, but by its commitment to ideals greater than itself.
On this historic anniversary, let us give thanks—for the freedoms we enjoy, for the opportunities we have been given, and for the Divine providence that has guided this nation. And let us recommit ourselves to ensuring that America’s highest values continue to illuminate the path forward for generations to come.
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June 23rd, 2026
By Sy Dorfman
1. If we can overlook the faults in other people—God will overlook the faults in us.
2. It’s not important what you did before. It’s important what you’re gonna do next.
3. It is essential to keep dissatisfaction alive. To not dislike a situation that you would normally dislike frees you from its potential control over you.
4. People who have raised themselves above the human level cannot be influenced and tempted. Be kind to someone this day—do something pleasant. You’re reassuring someone. Watch out for compassion and don’t throw it away. And be kind to yourself today—raise yourself to a higher level. See yourself the way you were before and now see yourself elevating to a higher level. Growth only comes when you get out of your comfort zone.
5. The people that are most remembered, admired, and respected in this world are people that have enhanced the lives of others and have made other people’s lives better.
6. God says you matter. Do you think you’re important and special? Because you are very important and special. You have dignity. You have integrity. You have kindness and compassion for other people. You have inner strength and respect for other people, and that’s what makes you indispensable.
7. If I could make the day better for someone else—if I could brighten up your day, uplift your spirit, put a smile on your face, help you and make you feel good about yourself—then I know I’m doing okay.
8. The secret is the most important things in life are not something you are going to get or it’s going to be given to you on a silver platter. Happiness, pleasure, joy, feeling good – it’s not “if I had this or that right now” everything would be great. It doesn’t work that way. If you’re in a bad mood, it’s not whether you are in a mood to do something or need something. The greatest things come under pressure, the things we hate most are the things that are best for us. Success only comes that way.
9. Focus on awareness. The present moment. Temptation is a moment of insanity. It’s not about satisfying your temptation and emotional needs. Then how do I change this attitude and react in a new way? Allow yourself to be pressured. Be willing to experience dissatisfaction. Pressure brings out the best in you. When you’re comfortable you can’t bring out that pressure. However, when you run away from discomfort you’re closing your mind to greater experiences and new opportunities because of fear.
10. How do you create a desire to do what is right? If you can feel your own soul—the goodness that you do. If you do something good for others or for yourself, that will light the fire in your soul. Will God give me a greater revelation in my life than to realize that my animal soul and compulsive behaviors are not influencing me anymore. True love is characterized by a willingness to sacrifice personal gratification in order to please and help another person. A person becomes spiritual only by sheer effort. Your obligation is to give to another person inner strength and respect instead of wanting to please yourself.
Tags: freedom, hunger
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May 30th, 2026
Storytelling as Soul: Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s Guide to the Power of Narrative in Personal Growth
Everyone has a story. But do you know the true depth of the stories you carry? In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s easy to underestimate the spiritual and psychological power of narrative. Yet, from the Chassidic tradition to the teachings of Rabbi Simon Jacobson, stories are recognized as foundational tools for growth, connection, and survival.
Why Stories Matter More Than Ever
Jewish tradition has always viewed storytelling as much more than entertainment. It is a vessel that carries identity, hope, and a vision for the future. The Chassidic masters taught that in moments of crisis, when all else seems lost, recounting the story itself can ignite the soul and inspire resilience.
Consider a moment from Jewish history when singing a song or repeating a story in a dark cellar sustained a whole community. These stories aren’t just about the past. They are blueprints for facing life’s uncertainty today—reminding us that our challenges form part of a much grander narrative. When we tell or listen to stories, we connect not just with information but with something that stirs the heart and transforms the spirit.
The Difference Between Telling and Living a Story
Rabbi Simon Jacobson cautions against reducing storytelling to a script or anecdote. The power lies not just in the words but in how we carry the message forward, allowing it to shape our lives. “There’s a major difference between reciting a narrative and living it,” he teaches. When a person internalizes the lessons of their ancestors’ journeys, or reframes their own setbacks as transformative chapters, they tap into wisdom that can guide them through modern challenges.
For example, a person coping with job loss might find perspective in the stories of ancestors who built new lives from nothing—emerging not only intact but with a more defined sense of purpose. A family navigating generational divides may bridge those gaps by sharing their roots, helping each member see where they came from and what values unite them, beyond disagreement or hardship.
How to Harness the Transformative Power of Narrative
- Reflect on Your Personal Story: Take time to list a few core moments in your life that have shaped who you are. Ask: What did I learn? What qualities did I discover in myself or in others?
- Share an Ancestral Story: At your next family or group gathering, bring up a story from your heritage—be it a tale of courage, survival, or kindness—and discuss what it means today.
- Journal the Next Chapter: Rather than seeing obstacles as roadblocks, try writing about your current struggle as one chapter in a larger story in which growth or redemption is possible.
- Create Rituals Around Storytelling: Dedicate a night each week to share stories—either from your tradition, your family, or your own life—adding a candle, song, or favorite object to create a sacred space.
From Survival to Self-Discovery
Chassidic legend recounts an event when all spiritual practice was lost, but the simple act of telling the story itself kept the light alive. In these moments, narrative becomes more than memory; it is the very soul of perseverance. Rabbi Jacobson reminds us that to survive and thrive, we must learn to tell our stories—not just to others, but also to ourselves.
Growing from narrative isn’t only about nostalgia. It’s about reframing adversity, celebrating wisdom, and forging deeper, more meaningful connections. When you understand that your story is ongoing, you reclaim the role of author in your own life, regardless of your starting point or the twists along the way.
Practical Steps
- Start a Personal Story Journal: Record transformative moments, both big and small. Over time, patterns of growth and resilience will emerge that can encourage you in future challenges.
- Ask Older Family Members for Stories: Turn to grandparents or elders for memories, preserving their experiences for your own inspiration and for the next generation.
- Use Stories to Reframe Setbacks: Next time you face a disappointment, ask yourself: How can I see this as part of a larger journey? What lesson or strength am I being called to develop?
Let Your Story Build the Future
The path to personal growth is paved with stories—ancient, shared, and uniquely your own. By bringing consciousness and intention to the narratives you live and tell, you not only honor your past but shape a more meaningful future for yourself and those around you.
For more inspiration and practical wisdom on harnessing narrative for spiritual and personal growth, explore additional resources and classes at the Meaningful Life Center.
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May 28th, 2026
Storytelling as Soul: Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s Guide to the Power of Narrative in Personal Growth
We live in an age awash in information, but few things shape our inner world as powerfully as the stories we tell—and believe. Across centuries, stories have been the heartbeat of Jewish survival, resilience, and spiritual growth. According to Rabbi Simon Jacobson, the art of storytelling goes beyond entertainment or memory. Stories have the unique ability to bridge past and future, bringing deep lessons alive while guiding us through moments of transformation.
The Spiritual Essence of Storytelling
What gives a story its power to inspire? Chassidic tradition, which plays a central role in Rabbi Jacobson’s teachings, views stories as the language of the soul. These narratives aren’t just chronicles of events—they carry the emotional and spiritual essence of experience. Judaism teaches that when all else fails, retelling a foundational story can renew hope and identity. The famous Chassidic legend tells of one era of persecution when oppression wiped out scholars, rituals, and even prayer—yet the people kept hope alive by simply telling the old stories. Through story, connection, faith, and strength survived.
Living the Story, Not Just Telling It
Rabbi Jacobson explains that the distinction between telling a story and living its message is profound. It’s easy to recount someone else’s journey, but transformative growth comes when you find your own life woven into the narrative. When facing a modern setback—like losing a job or struggling in a relationship—connecting to ancestral stories of hope, resilience, or redemption can guide you through uncertainty. Each person’s life becomes a living continuation of these ancestral tales.
Consider the Exodus from Egypt: each spring at the Passover Seder, families don’t just remember the past—they’re instructed to see themselves as if they personally left Egypt. In this way, storytelling becomes a gateway for every person to find themselves in the epic journey from limitation to freedom.
From Survival to Flourishing: Why Stories Matter Most Today
The pace of modern life can fragment our attention and weaken our connection to deeper meaning. Rabbi Jacobson reminds us that without grounding narratives, people can feel lost in the shuffle. Stories root us, connect us, and give us the courage to step into new chapters with dignity and hope. Telling your story—whether to a friend, a child, or through journaling—can reframe even the darkest moments into sources of light.
- Relatable Example: Picture a family gathered around the table on a Friday night, passing down stories from grandparents to grandchildren. Children who know their family’s struggles and triumphs have been shown to develop greater resilience and confidence. Your story is the strongest inheritance.
- Personal Anecdote: Many adults have shared how a single story from childhood—about a grandparent’s journey, or a tale of overcoming hardship—became an anchor during later crises. These narratives serve as lanterns, illuminating the path ahead when things get tough.
Actionable Steps: Making Narrative Your Spiritual Practice
- Reframe Your Challenges: When you face a setback, ask: What story would I tell about this experience 20 years from now? This simple question shifts your role from victim to author, giving you control over the narrative.
- Create a Storytelling Ritual: Set aside time each week—at the Shabbat table, over dinner, or during a quiet evening—to share or record a meaningful story from your life or ancestry. Encourage loved ones to do the same.
- Connect Your Story to Timeless Themes: Identify a universal message in your personal tales—like perseverance, kindness, or faith. This links your individual journey to the larger narrative of humanity.
- Live the Story’s Message: Choose one lesson from a favorite story and apply it intentionally this week. If a cherished story is about courage, look for an opportunity to take a brave step, however small.
Bridging Past and Future Through Your Unique Narrative
Everyone carries a story worth sharing. Through narrative, Rabbi Jacobson shows, we participate in the living tapestry of tradition while opening ourselves to renewal and growth. The journey is ongoing: each day you are both author and character, both teller and student. By owning your story and learning from others’, you become empowered to create purpose and inspire those around you—now and for generations ahead.
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May 24th, 2026
Storytelling as Soul: Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s Guide to the Power of Narrative in Personal Growth
In a world overflowing with data, few things reach the heart and shape our lives quite like a story. Rabbi Simon Jacobson shines a powerful light on why storytelling is much more than entertainment—it’s a spiritual art form that guides, heals, and transforms.
Why Stories Matter More Than Facts
We live in an era where facts are at our fingertips, yet our most profound shifts often begin with a tale told at the right moment. Rabbi Jacobson draws on the Chassidic tradition, where stories are considered lifelines that keep faith and wisdom alive through generations. “Most of us,” he teaches, “are stuck in the story here,” but knowing and telling a story has the unique power to recreate realities once thought lost.
He recalls the legendary tale of the Baal Shem Tov’s followers: each generation knew less of the original ritual—lighting the fire, reciting the prayers, visiting the sacred field. Eventually, all that remained was the act of telling the story itself. Yet, even without the rituals, recounting the story allowed them to access the very same spiritual energy. It’s a vivid reminder that telling our stories isn’t just about memory—it’s about recreating hope and meaning.
Bridging Past, Present, and Future
Rabbi Jacobson’s approach shows how storytelling serves as both compass and anchor. The personal tales of our ancestors—like the elderly Chabad Hasid who found resilience in prayer and community during World War II—don’t remain dusty history. When shared, they become living lessons in courage and faith, supplying us with tools to face our own challenges.
Jewish wisdom recognizes stories not as passive recollections, but as pathways to empathy, identity, and resilience. By weaving universal truths into personal experiences, stories help us process pain, celebrate triumph, and envision new possibilities. They become vessels for cherished values, bridging tradition with contemporary relevance.
How to Harness the Power of Story in Your Life
- Reflect on Your Own Narrative: Set aside a few quiet minutes to revisit moments—joys, struggles, or turning points—that have shaped you. What do these episodes reveal about your strengths, growth, or lasting values?
- Share Stories with Purpose: Next time you connect with friends or family, move beyond surface updates. Share a story about your childhood, a challenge overcome, or a family tradition. Notice how vulnerability inspires deeper connection and insight.
- Listen for Wisdom: Each person you meet contains a library of unique stories. Ask open-ended questions—”How did you get through that? What did you learn?”—and discover the surprising wisdom within others’ narratives.
- Document for the Future: Whether through journaling, recording voice notes, or preserving letters, take steps to capture your stories for loved ones and future generations. With each account, you contribute to an ongoing legacy of strength and faith.
- Live and Embody Your Story: Let the stories you cherish guide your daily choices. If you draw inspiration from your ancestors’ resilience or a mentor’s kindness, consider which practical actions you can take to honor their legacy in your own life.
Weaving Your Story Into the Bigger Picture
Stories connect us not only to our past, but to each other and to something greater than ourselves. By sharing and living our stories—however ordinary or extraordinary—we tap into the soul’s natural desire for meaning and connection.
This ancient Chassidic wisdom, as taught by Rabbi Simon Jacobson, beckons each of us to be both storytellers and story-makers. The tales we carry are not just for nostalgia, but for shaping the world we live in today and what we pass to tomorrow. Every person’s story matters—yours included.
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