Maybe my lists— both physical and mental— were actually making me more anxious?
With all of the recent difficult events, it was hard to work on ayin tovah. It would almost seem callous to try and put a “positive spin” on things.
But ayin tovah isn’t about ignoring challenges; rather, it refocuses me on thoughts that foster gratitude for the brachos. I got a great reminder of this when my friends and I made a Shavuos morning kiddush for ladies and kids. At one point, one of the women remarked so profoundly: “Can we all just stop for a moment and appreciate the fact that at last year’s kiddush, we were all wearing masks?”
In the very first letter of the Torah, we learn to set goals. “Bereishis” — Rashi tells us that the “beis,” meaning “for,” refers to the fact that the world was created for Bnei Yisrael who are called “Reishis” (first). Hashem’s world was made with a purpose: for Bnei Yisrael to reveal His Glory.
We’re taught from a young age that without clear and attainable goals, we’ll get nowhere fast. This lesson is so deeply ingrained in us that we may never stop and ask: Are all goals good?
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