From Bondage to Freedom

           In the last issue of the Talmidim Report I wrote an article concerning Pesach and the slavery of Apathy that many Americans have allowed themselves to by enslaved.  Slavery is not just physical and includes psychological, spiritual and emotional ramifications.   Although the Children of Israel had been physically delivered from the bondage of the Egyptians they were still slaves mentally.  In order for them to be the people that HaShem called them to be they had to change their mindset, redirect their focus, and actively pursue their new life of freedom.

The same holds true for us today in our deliverance from apathy (and other concepts that enslave us).  Many people have allowed themselves to become enslaved by apathy and in order for them to become the person that HaShem has  in store for them they too must a) change their mindset, b) redirect their focus, c) avoiding what caused them to be enslaved 4) and actively pursue their new life of freedom.  In this issue we will examine these four areas and the impact that they will make in our lives.

Changing the Mindset 

Apathy is friends with laziness and robs us from reaching our full potential in every area of our life.  When it comes to taking action and doing something people respond in one of two ways: 1) talking about doing it 2) actually getting up and doing it. 

For many people their action is in the form of procrastination telling themselves “I will do it later” or “I will do it after I take a break”.  The reality is that it does not get done and they do not take care of their business.  This leads other people to view them as being undependable and irresponsible and has a negative effect on the one that procrastinates.

On the flip side of the coin, those who accomplish the goals that they set are seen as being dependable and responsible.  They are the ones that get the promotions and feel better about themselves.  The difference between the two groups has nothing to do with talent, skill, or intelligence.  What makes the difference is their mindset.

Those who accomplish their goals actually see themselves accomplishing their goals and they know that they can accomplish what they set out to do.  In order to change our mindset from the one that procrastinates to the one that accomplishes we need to change the way that we think.  Instead of saying that we “will do it later”, we need to tell ourselves to “take action now” then see ourselves getting up and doing it.

I was watching the “Biggest Loser”, a television program where people compete to see who can lose the largest percentage of body weight, and heard a statement that one of the contestants made.  She was looking back at herself before she started the program and could not believe that it was the same person.  She commented “I cannot believe that I have had the power and strength within me to actually change”.  Her comment echoes that of many people today in all walks of life.  Within them is the power to change their habits and if we ask HaShem to help us we can accomplish great changes in our health.

It is possible for a person to change their mindset.  It may take time but by telling ourselves to get up and do something we can change we way that we think.  The more frequently that we tell ourselves to get up and we do it the easier it becomes to become more active and the more this becomes the natural way of being.

For the remainder of the article see the next issue of the Talmidim Report.  If you have not signed up you can join now.