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We can all understand the value of developing the greatest possible inner identity. But putting that knowledge into practice can be a daunting, difficult task. After all, where do we start? If I woke up this morning identifying as an overweight, intellectually average, unpassionate professional, how do I suddenly become a passionate, growth-oriented, vibrant individual who strives after my greatness? Here are the three strategies I always focus on:

We live our identity. We live our musts, our standards. Through our identity, we define our non-negotiable standards, the things that we absolutely must do. Everyone has things that they want to do: We want to learn more Torah, have a deeper connection with Hashem, develop better midos, build better relationships, create financial success, and have healthier bodies. However, we don’t get what we want, we get what we need. We need to eat, we need to breathe, and until we need all these things that we want, they’re going to remain on our wish list forever. The only way to change something from a want to a need is to change our identity. Only by raising our standards, and creating a growth-oriented identity, can we shift our life towards greatness.

Get a Head Start on the Historic 3rd Machzor of Mishnah Berurah

“You don’t have to wait for the siyum to come aboard Dirshu’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program! You can experience how learning daily halacha transforms your life by jumping into hilchos megillah and Purim and completing all the halachos of Purim before Purim this year! What a way to get started, by being engaged in a dovor b’ito, learning halachos in their right time!” These were the words of Rabbi Avigdor Bernstein, a senior member of Hanhalas Dirshu, advocating that new Daf HaYomi B’Halacha learners start right now!

Sefer Hagibborim with Names of Each Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Learner, and Family to be Placed by Kever of Chofetz Chaim

When a large contingent of Gedolei Yisrael comes together from throughout the world to undertake a chizuk journey on behalf of Klal Yisrael it is a major event, a major breakthrough! Those familiar with the full, overwhelming schedules of our Gedolim, whether they are Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbanim, Dayanim or Mashgichim, know that every day is full to the utmost, with learning, teaching, imparting chizuk, attending simchos, and the list goes on.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Before judging whether or not you like what you see, first think about what you see. How do you see yourself? How do you identify yourself?

There were once two boys who went ice-skating on a frozen lake in their neighborhood. As they were enjoying themselves, the ice suddenly cracked, and one of the boys fell through into the icy water. His friend started frantically reaching for him, but he was too late, and the boy got swept underneath the ice. Desperate to save his friend, this scrawny boy quickly looked around, saw a tree in the distance, and rushed over to try to pull off a branch. After tugging for a few seconds, he managed to crack off a huge branch, and he then quickly ran back to his friend.  He smashed and thrashed at the thick ice until it finally cracked, allowing him to grab onto his friend. He dragged him back to the shore just as the ambulance arrived, and miraculously, they were able to resuscitate him.