I made it a point to get to Mr. Lawrence's office early for our appointment. He's one of our most important clients - I couldn't let anything go wrong! But as soon as I walked up to the reception desk, I felt challenged. His secretary was not dressed appropriately for a business office. She smiled and said, "Mr. Lawrence is expecting you. Let me show you to his office." I was caught off guard, and I struggled to control my eyes as we walked down the long corridor. My mind was racing. How can I gain control? I had been told to focus my mind on holy thoughts, but they all flew out of my mind at that moment. "Just a second," I said, as I bent down, pretending to fix my shoelace. Staring for a split-second at the floor, I recalled how the Rambam warned that big aveirot start as small, uncontrolled thoughts. That is a sobering thought. I kept that in mind as I continued walking. By the time we reached the end of the hall, I felt that I had mastered a rough moment. I greeted Mr. Lawrence with a big smile and a firm handshake.
These e-mails are excerpts taken from the book "Windows of the Soul" by Rabbi Zvi Miller of the Salant Foundation.