REMINDERS

  Our Torah reading this Shabbat speaks about the importance of wearing Tzizit which includes wearing a Tallit. The basic reason the Torah suggests that wearing of Tzizit is 

וזכרתם את מצוות הי  to remind us of the Mitzvot of the Torah and to encourage us to observe all Mitzvot.  The word that I am stressing is וזכרתם “REMINDERS”.  In life it is good to remind ourselves of the good that people did for us in the past and continue to do for us in the present, thereby encouraging them to continue their allegiance and their loyalty.

  Too often we ask "What have you done for me today?"  For me, this is not only an inappropriate question, but even more so, it bespeaks a sense of 'Gaavah" , of rudeness and disrespect. 

  It is imperative to say that when we show appreciation to people we have to make it very sincere and make them feel that their effort of trying to help was worthwhile. When people feel that you say 'thank you' as a necessity and not sincere. The chance of helping you another time is very low. A very warm smile followed by 'thank you' is just enough to make the person feel appreciated. Remember, it should not just end there. There is a saying that “One good turn deserves another”. Hence when someone offers you help at one point and the person comes to you for help, it is appropriate that you reciprocate the kindness shown to you.

   Another important note to is that, 'It is never too late to show appreciation.' Sometime we think that once we were not able to show appreciation at a particular time when a good deed was done towards us, then there will be no need of going back to show appreciation. This assumption is very wrong. It is never too late to show appreciation. The beauty of showing appreciation is that the person will be glad that, after all, you remembered to thank him or her. 

Let us all go out there and show appreciation for the good things that people have done in our lives. Always remember, Leonado Davinci's words “Knowing alone is not enough, we must apply. Willing alone is not enough, we must do.”

    It is time to thank our friends and family that make our lives so memorable and so loving. May Hashem always show us the Derech to a magnificent life of Brachot.