The Torah trait that brings you happiness and a life of satisfaction

Every morning a Jew wakes up and begins his day
with a prayer of gratitude:

Modeh Ani Lefanecha –
I thank you living and eternal King
for you mercifully restore my soul within me.

Before looking into
your problems, news, pressures, and worries,
begin your day with an appreciation of
G-d and all He gives you.

Why?

The Torah teaches you something powerful.

When you start your day with gratitude,
you align yourself to receive G-d’s blessings.

What you focus on shapes your emotional world.
You place yourself in a mindset to receive HaShem’s (G-d’s) goodness.

Chazal (Sages) describe an emotional trait called Histapkus.

You are satisfied with what you have.

This does not mean giving up on trying to improve.

This means you do not postpone your happiness until someday in the future.

Some people tell themselves:

“When I have more money…”,
“When life becomes easier…”,
“When things finally work out…”,

Then I will be happy.

But Torah teaches that happiness is not waiting for you at the finish line.

Happiness begins by appreciating what
Hashem is already giving you today!

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Zell teaches:

“Being happy with less is having more.”

Not because you own more,
but because you learn to enjoy what you have more.

Train yourself to notice your blessings.
Do not focus only on the negatives in your life.

Your life becomes brighter not when it changes —
but when the way you look at it changes.

What are some blessings in your life that you sometimes overlook?
We’d love to hear your thoughts?

Please share with anyone who might
enjoy or benefit from this.