So Close but Yet So Far

[Week 41]

• How to Avoid Giving in to Temptation: Remove the temptation! It's been so helpful for me. I've been trying to apply this one more and more to my life. For example, today, after my dentist's appointment, I had the opportunity to go buy a beautiful, sweet, delicious hamentaschen because I had some time before I had to be at my next thing. But I knew I didn't need it. So, rather than walk into the store and decide in the store if I wanted it, I just drove away. It might sound funny, but it was a personal challenge. I really like hamentaschen.
• When You're Tempted to Do Something Wrong: I don't remember...
• When There Is No Shalom Bayit in Your Bayit: Work towards it, and if you can't achieve it, then it's time to look at other solutions.
• When Jewish Law Permits a Person to Be Publicly Shamed: I think this one is when a parent deserts their child.
• The Limits of God's Forgiveness: I remember loving this one and yet I don't remember the limits.
• It's Not Enough to Be Nice, Timing Also Matters: It's good to be nice, but you should always (rather than selectively) be nice.

[Week 42]

• Help Non-Jews as Well as Jews: All humans were created in G-d's image, so no human is any more or less deserving of our help.
• The Final Words a Jew Should Speak: The confessional, the vidui.
• Should a Jew Donate His Organs?: I don't remember...
• Listen...Really Listen: I've been making more of an effort recently. It's really challenging in this world to be fully present and hanging on to every word someone says, but if I just put my phone away and on silent, I know I can do it.
• How Not to Teach Torah: Don't make it a punishment. Make it sweet.
• Charity, Idolatry, and Deafness: I remember....but I don't!

[Week 43]

• Sanctifying the Secular: Not everything has to be spiritual or religious for it be sanctified, blessed, or connected to our spiritual sides. 
• Don't Be a Racist: Yeah, just don't be.
• Never Practice Ingratitude: Make sure to say 'thank you' whenever possible.
• Raising Truthful Children: Set a good example, don't ask your children to lie for you.
• Empathy Is Not Natural: I don't remember...
• Express Your Gratitude to the People Nearest to You...Now: As we were saying before, make sure to say some 'thank you's. 

[Week 44]

• Learning to Say "I Need": It's okay to make sure you're being cared for, but you can't expect others to just know. It's okay to speak up for yourself when you need to.
• When Anonymous Giving Is Important, and When It Is Not: Sometimes, it's actually more important that the person you are giving to knows who is giving them the gift. That way, they are saved embarrassment because they know that there is only one person trying to help them through their situation.
• When Silence Is Criminal: When you have information that could be used to save another from harm or false imprisonment.
• If You Learn That Someone Is Intending to Hurt Another: Share the information and try to prevent the harm. 
• "You Are Not as Good as You Think You Are, and the World Is Not as Bad as You Think It Is": Very self-explanatory. A good reminder that we should be humble and have hope, always.
• When Pious Words Are Irreligious: If you don't think pious words would comfort you when you are distressed, don't use them to comfort another.

[Week 45]

• When a Half-Truth Becomes a Whole Lie: I'm not sure...
• Is Your Blood Redder?: No, we were all made b'tzelem Elokim.
• Should There Be a Limit to Parental Love?: I don't remember...
• Teach Your Child Survival Skills: We are required to teach our children to swim, therefore, we should teach our children the skills they need in order to survive.
• The Most Perfect Act of Kindness: I don't remember...
• A Ritual Way to Make Each of Your Children Feel Special: Bless each child individually...I think...?

[Week 46]

• A Time for Silence: I don't remember...
• When Praising Someone Is the Wrong Thing to Do: Don't praise someone in front of someone else who doesn't like that first person. You're just provoking that person.
• You and Your Ex: I remember how impactful this section was because I read it at an important time for me. Just like the section says, I acknowledge that I will always love someone I once loved, but that doesn't mean I need to hold on to them forever. Especially when I can be respectful from a distance and when I know it isn't healthy to be with him anymore.
• Solomon's Sword: How to Determine a Child's Best Interests: I remember liking this section and sharing it with my brother but now I can't remember...
• The Special Obligation of Adoptive Parents: To love and care for the adopted child as if he were a biological child.
• Don't Speak Lashon Hara About Yourself: Again, fairly self-explanatory: have some self respect.