Think, Thank, Connect

Rabbi Nachum Chaimowitz has written a wonderful book entitled It’s All For The Good in which he highlights and explains basic axioms of Judaism. In one chapter he imparts a simple yet powerful approach that enables us to strengthen our relationship with Hashem. The approach is to connect pleasurable experiences to Hashem.

Consider the Source

During the course of each day we eat different foods, see beautiful scenery, listen to enjoyable music, and enjoy many other positive experiences. When we connect each pleasure to our Benefactor, we strengthen our relationship with Him. The way to connect each experience to Hashem is simply to think about Him while experiencing the pleasure.

For example, when eating, at the moment we experience a pleasant taste, we have a very critical choice to make. The choice is whether at that moment we choose to think about Hashem or not. The choice we make each time we go through such a physical experience directly affects our ability to form a strong and bonding relationship with Him.

Rabbi Chaimowitz says that someone who does not practice connecting pleasures to the Source through his thoughts can go days, weeks, sometimes years from one pleasure to another and still wonder why he feels zero connection with Hashem for so many years of his life. On the other hand, someone who trains himself consistently to connect positive physical experiences by thinking about Hashem during each experiences will soon find himself thinking about Hashem numerous times throughout the day. Over time, seemingly unconnected experiences start joining together within his heart into one massive feeling of love and positivity for the One who created all these experiences.

Proof Positive: Hashem Loves Us

This advice has had a major impact on me and I am trying to implement this in my daily routine. I’d like to share some personal reflections on this approach.

During this time of year there are many colorful flowers outside. Whenever I’m with my children and we see these, I tell them that this is a reminder that Hashem loves us.

When I was a young boy, I remember that television sets were black and white. We were the last family on our street to get a color TV. When my dad brought a color TV home, it was a big celebration! I remember the first time I viewed a baseball game and saw the beautiful green grass and the colors on the players’ uniforms. Fantastic!

We need to contemplate that Hashem could have created the world in black and white. However in his love for us, He gave us so many beautiful colors for our enjoyment.

We all need to eat in order to survive. Hashem could have created food that tasted like castor oil or vitamin pills. Instead He created so many delicious foods.

Whenever we feast our eyes on a beautiful natural sight or enjoy a delicious meal, we have an opportunity to connect these pleasures directly to the Master of the World who provides them.

Put Gratitude in Words

In addition to thinking about pleasures and connecting them to Hashem, we should verbalize our gratitude. In other words, “think and thank.” By expressing our feelings of gratitude in words, we make them more concrete and powerful. It therefore, has a major impact on our feelings and emotions and heightens our awareness of Hashem’s loving and caring presence. Moreover, Hashem takes great pleasure in our praise and expressions of thanksgiving. For this reason, Rebbe Nachman, in addition to saying the prescribed blessings over food, would be careful to thank Hashem for each item of food that he was partaking of during a meal.

Feeling the Connection

The Rambam says we are we are our thoughts are. When we think and thank Hashem, we sense that He is right there with us. Over time, we will achieve real and lasting devakus (connection) with our Father and King.

Rebbe Nachman says the more you thank Hashem, the more He will give you for which to be thankful.

In the merit of connecting our pleasurable experiences to Hashem, may we strengthen our connection with Him and may He give us many additional blessings.