// 845.371.2222 or a departed spirit?) The graves beyond, were shrouded in silence and mystery. Teeth chattering, (was that a bony finger pointing at him?) he jumped into the water, and went under, once, then again, and again… A skeletal figure jumped out of the far end of the pool, droplets spraying in all directions. Reb Yakov screamed. He leaped out of the mikvah, and ran back to Yeshiva, panic and terror closing up his throat. It took him a long time to calm down and fall asleep, shadows pursuing him in his dreams. The next morning his friend shared with him his harrowing experience: “Last night, I dipped into the Mikvah in the cemetery, only to see a dead man doing the same. I forgot about perfecting my character and ran for my life….” The two ghosts looked at each other, and laughed until tears ran down their cheeks… Dr. Levitan was a famous neurologist. He did a prolonged study on the brain, and came up with fascinating results: It takes the brain 10,000 hours of practice, to become an expert in any field. A doctor, a baseball player, a musician, a writer, anyone working at his craft, needs at least 10,000 hours of grit, drill, and hard work to become a master in his trade. Amazing, isn’t it? Shying away from hardship will not bring results. It is the workout, the strain, the groans and the sweat that ripen, mature, expand, and build. What is success? It is the ability to fail time and again, without losing enthusiasm. Anna had only one child – Joseph. The apple of her eye, Joseph could do no wrong, or lack no comfort. When he enlisted in the army, she was devastated. Who would take care of him (her baby!)? She let him go, but decided to visit him a few months later to see how he was faring. Entering boot camp, she was given permission to watch the training for a few minutes. Soldiers carrying heavy packs, climbed man – made hills, dropping from heights into deep pits. Several of them scaled shaky rope ladders, while others ran great distances, the hot sun beating their heads. She couldn’t watch. Those poor kids! Whipping out her wallet, she turned to the drill sergeant: “Here, take a million dollars, and improve the conditions of these boys.” The sergeant smiled: “Thank you for your generosity. But if I improve their conditions, I will stay without soldiers.” Soldiers need rigorous training. They have to suffer hardship and overcome it – for that is what makes them into brave strong fighters. Life is a training ground. One can fear or one can face. One can run or one can stay. One can go up or one can go down. The question begs to be asked: Where am I? 125
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