What a Difference When You Can Do *This*

AI-generated image for illustrative purposes only. Not an actual depiction of the person discussed.

Years ago I was in the Holy City of Jerusalem, Israel to visit and learn from a man whose books I’d been studying for several years.

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s writings are a combination of ancient Biblical wisdom and modern day personal development. While some of his 25 books are geared toward a Jewish readership, many are applicable to anyone and everyone who simply desires to have a happier, more fulfilling, and peaceful life.

His series of smaller books with titles such as Kindness, Patience, Happiness, Serenity, and Self-Confidence provide both methodology and real-life stories and examples designed to help the reader accomplish those specific goals.

My new mentor and I spent many hours in formal, valuable learning sessions. However, it was during an outside walk that I got to see the essence and character of the man and why I so admire him.

While engaged in conversation, Rabbi Pliskin stubbed his toe. He stubbed it badly. Upon seeing his facial expression, I knew he’d really hurt himself.

Almost immediately, however, he embraced the experience.

“This is good,” he said, his face still contorted with pain. “It’s excellent practice for me to learn how to....” And as he went on to explain what he would practice, his face suddenly seemed to transform back into a countenance of serenity.

Of course, what he was going to “learn how to…” wasn’t what I most took away from this incident. Instead...

Key Point: The huge lesson for me was seeing his authentic nature playing itself out in total congruence.

Much of his teaching focuses upon the lessons we are constantly being taught by our Creator — often through our dealings with others...or even, as it turns out, through a rock upon which we might badly stub our toe.

Seeing him immediately go into learning mode — despite the excruciating physical pain he was experiencing — provided me with one more hero to model when similar physical, mental, or spiritual “ouchies” would occur to me.

I cannot even tell you how often throughout the years since I’ve benefited from his example that day.

On one hand, there are those who teach one thing and do another.

And then there are those who both practice what they preach…and preach what they practice.

Rabbi Pliskin is the latter.

Today’s Exercise: Think of the people in your life whom you admire for that reason. It might be your priest, pastor, imam, rabbi, or other spiritual leader, or it might be…well, practically anyone in your life. Consider some of the life lessons you learn just from observing how they handle themselves in any less-than-ideal situation.