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KEEP SMILING
Inspirational pieces by Avrohom Tzvi Schwartz, author of
several inspirational works
Be Yourself Rather than being what we are not, we need
to be more of what we are. There are good qualities we have,
and good qualities we don't have. Similarly, there are bad
qualities we have, and bad qualities we don't have. Often, we
feel jealous at the success of those who have good qualities
we don't have. This upsets us — pressures us to live as
we cannot live — and discourages us. Instead then, we
need to say, "They are they, and I am I. Moreover, I will try
now to be more of what I am — that I may succeed in my
area, as they succeed in theirs. I will clean and polish my
good qualities that they may be even better than they are
now, that they may sparkle, dance — with excitement,
with joy. As for the good qualities I don't have, who says
I'm supposed to have them? And when it comes to the bad
qualities I don't have, I certainly don't need any of
those."
To Be Different It's okay to be different. Not only is
it okay — it's healthy, tremendous, fantastic, to be
different than everyone else. Now, this doesn't mean it's
easy. We like to be part of the crowd, to blend in, to move
with the group — with strength, with power. Also, it is
unwise to be too weird; to act in ways different to normal
society. Still, when we match ourselves to others, we must
make sacrifices — we must give away a part of
ourselves, of our beauty, our individuality. These sacrifices
often cost more than they are worth. To play a part that is
not us — to pretend a false pretence — is
unnatural. It costs blood. Therefore, let's stick to being
ourselves. Let's enjoy being ourselves. And to make it work
— to help us succeed — let's tell ourselves,
"It's okay to be different."
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