Dissatisfaction - Chabad.org

Someone wrote that the Rebbe had said we should “never be satisfied with our past achievements.” The Rebbe crossed out the word “past.”

Some people tell you that if you’re never satisfied with your achievements, you’ll drive yourself nuts.

Ignore them. Look at whatever you’ve done and say, “If that’s good, double is better.”

Don’t let what you’ve done be the final measure of who you are.

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Seasons of Essence

Perpetual Freedom

By Tzvi Freeman

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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11 Comments

Barbara Philadelphia May 31, 2016

Right now is the time to begin improving some small habit a tiny bit. By the end of the summer, we will have gained a new, better habit. We will then be ready for Rosh HaShanah, for we can say to Gd, "I have actually achieved my resolution for this year. I will make another resolution for next year and continue to grow better and better in my habits."
By choosing something small, we fly under the radar of the yeter haRa. We encounter no resistance, and we succeed in our intended growth.
In 2009, I resolved to stop eating sugar, cold turkey. That was a difficult one, but I succeeded and have not deliberately eaten sugar from that day to this.
But now I must find an easier resolution to achieve during this coming summer.
So should we all, to be ready for Rosh HaShanah. Reply

Daniel Buffalo February 28, 2016

The Baal Shem Tov was reported to have said in Yiddish, "Aybe nisht, noch hecher". Please translate into English.

Thank you! Reply

Hanalah Houston February 26, 2016

We always need to grow. We can always do more.

But aim for only a little. We may exceed our aim, but aiming for a little means we fly under the radar and the yetser hara won't even try to stop us.

Meanwhile we need not feel terrible about having done less in the past. As long as we are growing, HaShem surely notices our desire to serve. Reply

Anonymous Mesa, AZ February 25, 2016

Dis-Satisfaction Depending on what we have accomplish in life, as long as it is done with the knowledge of G-d's will, then it is a comfort of for his approval. Then I can say: I have peace of mind, for what is there but just do my duty as a child of G-d. Reply

Thomas Salado 08108 February 24, 2016

Satisfaction Chabad, including these comments, help me learn how to be Jewish. Reply

Yankeleh Gilead Thailand February 24, 2016

The Rebbe The Bal Shem Tov was reported to have said in Yiddish, "Aybe nisht, noch hecher". Reply

Sylvia Uk February 24, 2016

Satisfaction Thank you, Peter for reaffirming the Rebbe's teaching with another. If we can find balance in our lives yet still strive to improve spiritually and intellectually then the desire for materialism dissipates. Reply

Sam Castro Valley, USA January 10, 2009

Dissatisfaction I am never or have ever been satisfied with whta I have accomplshed. I was told by a learned medical person it was a character defect or something in the are of feeling inadequate. My assesment of him was correct; he is a nut.
I like to learn and ccomplhish and help others.
Isn't that what its all about? Reply

Ann in Texas January 9, 2009

Satisfied? Who is rich? One who is satisfied with what he (or she) has (This is the teaching I really want to harmonize).

This is about material possessions.
Yes, these should satisfy us regardless of whether they be much or little.

But our achievements, our moral stature, must always continue to grow and to produce results. If to be satisfied means to stop growing, then we must never be satisfied.

If to be satisfied means to love ourselves and to think we are not so bad, not so unworthy, not so sinful--if to be satisfied merely means to think we are not hopelessly evil--then yes, we can be satisfied, ie happy to be who we are, but "who we are" always must mean a work in progress, a person who continues to grow. Reply

Donny Crestview, FL January 9, 2009

Balance Peter,

My thought on that is that we should not be satisified with our spiritual achievements but should be happy with what G-d has provided for us materially. We should strive to perform our mitzvos even better than the day before. Material possessions can come and go in an instant. Ask any Holocost survivor about this. However, the mitzvos we perform will be with us forever. Besides, G-d knows what material/physical things we need to make it through each day and he graciously provides them for us. Reply

Peter J. Nickitas Minneapolis, MN January 9, 2009

Satisfaction I wish to start a discussion on the way to harmonize this teaching from the Rebbe with the teaching of Pirkei Avot:

Who is wise? One who learns from others.
Who is strong? One who masters himself (herself)
Who is rich? One who is satisfied with what he (or she) has (This is the teaching I really want to harmonize).
Who is honored? One who honors others.

What is the balance to strike between non-satisfaction with achievements and satisfaction with present possessions (income or wealth).

I welcome any comments or recommendations. Reply

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