We Have the Key

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key" (E)

Remember - the key is in our hand. Use it!

Everyone has moments and situations in their lives when they feel incapable of overcoming a terrible predicament or difficult challenge. Feeling powerless and unprepared, we often give up and give into the pressures we face. If only, we feel, something extraordinary were to occur to save us, we are doomed. Without a solution or option, we lose hope. However, how many times did we realize only after the event that the answer to our issue was right before our eyes all along, yet, due to our attitude, we failed to recognize it?

The other night, I was having some problems with my wife's disc player in her minivan and attempted to fix it. With several screwdrivers and various other tools in hand, I made way into the car and prepared for what I thought would be a quick job. I rolled up my sleeves, turned on the dome lights and got ready to work. 
After I took apart the dashboard and disconnected the ventilation system and dash electronics, I removed the disc changer. Once I unscrewed what seemed to be dozens of screws, I saw the issue - the CD's were jammed. Tugging, pulling and jabbing at the discs proved to be unsuccessful, and it dawned upon me that I would have to bring it to a more knowledgeable "professional" than me. All of the connections and parts were reinstalled, I turned off the lights and manually locked the door from the inside.
In the morning, I was met with a surprise - the minivan wouldn't start. It only took a few seconds before I realized what happened ... I had drained the battery by keeping the interior lights on for so long the previous night. I immediately called Chaverim (a Jewish volunteer group that are exactly what they're called - friends) to lend me a hand. When they arrived, I took out my fob to click the car open - but even that didn't work. The battery was completely dead!
"Now how am I going to get into the car?" I exclaimed in despair.
The Chaverim member smiled back at me and patiently answered, "Why don't you just use the actual key to unlock the door manually?"
I am quite the professional.

Instead of giving up, perhaps the solution is right there before us! In our very own hands!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please help me find the key to any issue that arises!"

That's the Goal

"Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you. Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out" (AM)

Are you ready to score?

Life is challenging  - by design. Each moment in our lives, we make decisions that have the capacity of altering and redirecting our future in unfathomable ways. Every word that is spoken, every gesture that is made, every action that is executed and even every thought that passes through the mind is a distinct decision - a decision that we either consciously or subconsciously make. Life wouldn't be the same without them. They enhance our lives, making us stronger, better and more experienced in this journey. The greater the decision, the greater the challenge. The greater the challenge, the greater the gain if we succeed. The greater we become. Without such challenges, we gain nothing.

One of the most influential and well-respected Torah leaders of the past generation in Eretz Yisroel was Rav Sholom Schwadron, tz"l, known as the beloved and famed "Maggid of Yerushalayim." His powerful and heartfelt talks remain etched in the minds and thoughts of the countless people that drank thirstily from his words. On one occasion, he was speaking with a teenager, and the conversation moved to the topic of soccer and the youngster's intense obsession with it.
"I don't understand how the game works," Rav Sholom innocently remarked.
The teen briefly explained the basic objective and rules of soccer, to which Rav Sholom simply responded, "If the goalie is blocking the net, why don't the players just come at night when he's gone and kick the ball in then!"
Though a bit frustrated, the fellow patiently and respectfully answered, "Because then it wouldn't be counted as a goal - the game would be over! The point is to get it in the net when it's being guarded! Otherwise, what would be the point?"

Exactly the point! We only score when there's a challenge! When the "game" is over, it's over!

Say to yourself ten times today:
"Hashem, please give me the strength to overcome today's challenges!"