There will always be tests and distractions...but I need to remind myself that even a little distraction is bad. I need to focus on the things that will bring me happiness. The people (and hashem) that deserve my focus.

KUTGW!!

Thank you - your inspiration always helps. I hope you'll continue to grow and inspire me, showing me that even if we fall, we can keep getting up.

In general, things are going well, but I need to learn to keep walls strong, even when I can see things as being innocent. And even a quick glance is destructive. I can never, never forget that.

can I get your thoughts? www.guardyoureyes.org/forum/index.php?topic=2598.msg73942#msg73942

Things in life get stressful...I need to remember that the more I focus n my kallah, the better off I am. That means not noticing, in any way, other women, as much as possible. Even in situations where it might be appropriate (i.e., conversation with a co-worker), if I don't need it, it's better if I don't. I'd rather risk being thought of as someone who stands apart, although I don't think that's an issue yet.

Keep it up SB...

We are planning a virtual Chasuna for you here on GYE....

:D Thanks!

Funny - Over shabbos, I was reading a piece from R' Yeruchum that seems to fit, on a deeper level, with what I said in my last post - He talks about the chet ha'egel, and how Moshe trid to defend the jews by saying that with the situation that hashem put them in, it was pretty much out of their control. "He washed him, perfumed him, fed him, gave him drink, dressed him nicely, put a wallet full of money around his neck, and then sat him down at the doorstop of a brothel. What can the son do to prevent himself from sinning?"

But the key point is that all the things that happen beforehand are what led up to the impossible situation - even the things that would seem to have no connection, things that are totally muttar!

We have to remember that, too. Even things that might be totally muttar, we have to realize that soemtimes, they lead us to fall. We have to be aware of the things that start us down the wrong path, we have to think 5 steps ahead, 10 steps ahead, to things that everyone else would think we're crazy for connecting. But we have to figure out where the problems start. Because once the ball gets rolling, it can be too late.

Hey SB,

Love reading your thread, always so positive. Great point there.

Gut voch and have an easy and meaningful fast!

You, too!

Have an easy fast, everyone!

SB,

i find it very true that what we don't realize may lead us to a fall,
there is always a lot going on that we are not so aware of,
and we always need to be on the lookout for the beginning
of the downward slope, even if we only notice it on the downhill,
we may still be able to catch a rope, or remember the terrain,
so we don't cross paths with it again, once we're back on our feet.

easy and meaningful fast.

Hi SB,

I'm posting on your thread because you suggested it

But seriously, I would take it a step further and say that everyone has things that are actually assur for them personally and each person needs to figure out what those things are. They aren't in the halacha sefarim because they are diffierent for each person. I know there are things that should be assur for me, period. And I should treat them as assur just like trafe food.

Reb Aryeh - very true. there are some things that we need to stay away from. The hard thing is figuring out what those things are, because like Sturggle said, it's the things we're not aware of that lead us down the path - and that can be 5 or 10 steps before we even noticed anything was wrong.

Just remember it's in G-d's hands.  Which I know you know.  KUTGW!! 

Very true...but as always, that can be a dangerous statement, right? 

I can't walk into a strip club, and then try to give over the battle to god. It might work, but I've already taken steps to ensure that I'm NOT giving the power over to Him. At thast point, giving over the power to Him is a lot more difficult.

Strip club?  G-d and yourself would not get you in those types of places anymore.  Remember, you are not at home.  Keep on trucking.  I know that is the only way to be.  G-d is there and will always be there in good times and in bad.  Chin up and trust in G-d.  Stress used to be my major trigger.