I'd like to offer a few suggestions for Psalms folks can use as personal tikkunei halev (repairs of the heart) when life catches hold of us and gives us a shake. They're conversation starters with G-d and ourselves. The texts an be found in the Book of Psalms in any Bible....

In a quiet, private space, a person should open a Bible and read the specific psalm or verses aloud to themselves slowly and clearly seven times, and then close their eyes and sit quietly for awhile (18 minutes works well for me but it depends on the person) and then reapproach whatever is the matter in their heart and mind.

For people who have to "do something" slowly writing the Psalm/Verses out three times in their nicest handwriting is a very good alternative to verbalizing the text.

If someone prefers carefully inspect each word in the text and say the words with the mouth without making a sound will also work. The emphasis whether seeing or hearing or writing or speaking the tikkun is to acquire it and make it part of you so it can help repair your heart....and to open up the ears to hear, the eyes to see, and the heart to know Who is Present and Loves You!

Psalm 131 - Sometimes I have a challenge weighing on my heart and it's hard to decide what to do. This may make me anxious and worried. This Psalm reminds us that G-d will help us see the proper path if we quiet down enough to hear the message being provided.

Psalm 139:1-18 - Sometimes it seems we are very, very far from G-d - it feels we call out and no one hears or cares! But that is far from Truth. The first 18 (in Hebrew, Chai, Life!) verses of this Psalm remind us of who we are in relation to the One Who Makes and Loves us.

Psalm 121 - Sometimes in spite of all precautious bad things befall us or those we know and love - we're afraid and unsure of tomorrow. Despair is one option - this Psalm reminds us of another.

Psalm 103 - Sometimes we act in ways that cause us shame - we wonder "how could G-d love someone like me?" This Psalm gives an answer. Perhaps you know others?

Psalm 104 - Sometimes we look up and notice how wonderfully amazing the Creation is! We want to say something as a Thank You! but how could we even begin to express our awe and joy? Try this Psalm....

Staying Awake When You're Not Asleep

Seems like an oxymoron? But so often we drift through each day so focused on how we feel about passing matters that we miss living! It's almost as though our lives are like a dream that we star in oblivious to anyone or anything else. But when we do this, think of all we might be missing - now isn't that a sad thought! Luckily there's a very simple way to stay awake when we're not asleep:

By saying thanks for each moment to the One Who Makes Them. Or, as we say in Hebrew, "k'riat berachot" - reciting blessings. By taking a few seconds to quietly say (or think) a word of thanks when we experience something or do something in our living, we call it to our attention and we acknowledge the Source of Life (Meqor HaChayyim) ensuring it takes center stage in our minds and hearts if only for a moment.

For some folks reciting blessings means rattling off a brochah, a structured blessing, in Hebrew. But let me let you in on a secret: all you really need to say (quietly to yourself or simply in your mind) is "Thank You, G-d, for ..." and identify what has your attention at that moment.

Thank You, G-d, for this pizza. Thank You, G-d, my body works the right way when I go the bathroom (yes, really - you think bathroom walls separate you from G-d?! [grin]). Thank You, G-d, the doctor has medicine to help me feel better and get well. Thank You, G-d, for being grounded by my parents who love me enough to want me to work harder in school to be the best I can be. Thank You, G-d, for gving me teachers (even when they give outrageous amounts of homework).

Thank You, G-d, for friends who hang out with me! Thank You, G-d, for sticking by me even if no one else does! Thank You, G-d, for chores that let me show my parents how much I love them by doing things that are boring and seem like a waste of time to me!

Thank You, G-d, for making me me! (This is a very important blessing and it should be said EVERY morning when you wake up and EVERY night before you sleep!)

Thank You, G-d, for...now its your turn - what do you have to be thankful for this moment? And this moment? And....?

Remember: Staying awake when you're not asleep is when you get the Answers!

Moshe Aharon ben D'vorah