This source sheet explores the Jewish sensibility of Simcha (happiness), including texts from Dr Pelcovitz's Eli Talk.
(ב) עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה בֹּ֥אוּ לְ֝פָנָ֗יו בִּרְנָנָֽה׃
Worship G-d in gladness; come before Him with shouts of joy.
Where there is a lack of vision people lose themselves...
Dr Pelcovitz suggests we need goals to attain happiness.
Why are goals important for people and/or organisations?
Why does the text suggest if we don't have goals 'people lose themselves'?
Rabbeinu Bachya (Baheya ben Asher ibn Halawa), Chovot HaLevavot 1040
May God save me from fragmentation of the soul.
Robert Brault
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were big things.
Rabbi Pelcovitz challenges us to take time to reflect and take time out to 'savor the moment.'
Study the above texts, and think about the consequences if we don't take time out.
Why is it so hard to take time out?
How could you use the power of Shabbat to help savor the moment?
(א) בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר... אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ,
Ben Zoma says:... Who is rich? One who is happy with their lot.
Alan Morinis, Gratitude: Hakarat HaTov, Jewish Pathways
When you open up to the trait of gratitude, you see clearly how much good there is in your life. Gratitude affirms. Of course there will be things you are still lacking, and in reaching for gratitude no one is saying you ought to put on rose-colored glasses to obscure those shortcomings. But most of us tend to focus so heavily on the deficiencies in our lives that we barely perceive the good that counterbalances them.
This condition is especially common among we who live in a world permeated by advertising that constantly reveals to us all the things we don’t have -- and tells us how satisfied we would be with ourselves and our lives, if only we would buy their product. There is no limit to what we don’t have, and if that is where we focus, then our lives are inevitably filled with endless dissatisfaction.This is the ethos that lies behind the great Talmudic proverb which asks, “Who is rich?” and then answers, “Those who rejoice in their own lot.” (Avot 4:1)
According Ben Zoma's - what are the 'riches' (or wealth) that a happy person has?
What does gratitude at work look like?
How can you generate more gratitude for yourself, and for others?