Exercise 5: Avodat Haratzon – Work of the Will

Remember – Happiness is the basis of everything! Emuna cannot exist while in a state of sadness. Happiness is becoming close to Hashem, while sadness is leaving Hashem. 

Now, in this fifth exercise – we start to work on Avodat Haratzon – The Work of the Will. 

 
2 minutes – Pray to truly live and understand that Hashem loves me ALWAYS.  

 
2 minutes – Continue to pray to know that Ein Od Milvado – There is no one except Hashem. Everything, good and bad, is from Hashem, for an ultimate good purpose. 

5 minutes – Pray to live the reality that my ability to choose my future comes from my prayers for the future, and to pray at length for everything I want to change! 

 
11 minutes – Pray to live the reality that since free choice is prayer, then whatever mistakes I did in the past, I did because Hashem didn't help me overcome my Evil Inclination, since I didn't pray enough. And therefore, to be happy with the past, and use the past to propel me to pray and learn more for the future. Don't blame others, bad luck, nature, evil eye, or yourself.  

 
This brings us to 20 minutes prayer. Now, we start the work of the will: 

 
We discussed in Exercise #3, that the way that a person wants to go – they are leading him. But I want X, and I am not getting it! Why am I not getting help? 

The key lies in recognizing that you need an iron will, to want it with your whole heart and soul, and that your desire is more powerful than everything else, and any other interests. 

 
Remember that we say a blessing on this 3 times a day – Harotzeh b'teshuva, Hashem wants you to repent! Don't let the Evil Inclination convince you that Hashem has given up on you, or that you're wicked, etc. G-d forbid. 

 
The key is to pick one thing that you want to achieve in working on yourself, in spirituality, etc. And work on it every day. For instance, properly guarding your eyes, or keeping Shabbat, or overcoming anger, are good examples. 

 
But you aren't considered to "want" something, unless you pray on it every single day. I wrote in A New Light at least 30 minutes a day, but if you really cannot manage that, then at least 15 minutes a day. THEN – you are led in the way to achieve what you want!