Do you wish you knew how to tap into your inner potential so you could fulfill your mission in life? In this episode, Leah speaks with Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, founder of Shabbat.com, to get the scoop on what that means and how to accomplish it.

Tune in at 2:50 for a great opening true story from Rabbi Klatzko to illustrate what a life mission means!

What Is Greatness?

Low people talk about other people, regular people talk about things, great people talk about ideas. Focus on ideas and how they can be implemented to make the world better. There are endless ideas and opportunities just waiting to be explored. We have more than one mission. If you’re still alive, you still have a mission to fulfill. It can be (and often is) a quiet, private mission.

The most significant thing you’ll do is raise a family. At the same time, much of what we do ties into one another, so it is possible to have an additional mission that doesn’t take away from what you’re already doing. It’s not usually an either-or. It’s about finding the balance. Sometimes we limit ourselves and limit our greatness. An example of balance can be: including your kids in making and delivering food for the sick.

Having said that, you know you better than anyone. Ideally, everyone should make their family their primary mission. But at certain stages in your life, you have more in the tank and you can take on more missions without the family suffering.

Finding Your Mission

Feel a need, fill a need: find something you’re passionate about. It can be something that brings you joy, or something lacking in the world that brings you sorrow. Doing something you enjoy or filling a lack that pains you will ignite your passion. We always find time for the things we’re passionate about.

Missions Are Doable

Most missions have a finite number of steps that you can break down and realize how achievable it actually is. If an idea for a mission seems too scary, ask yourself: What’s the worst that can happen? How much do you actually risk losing by trying? Is failing so bad? All humans, ESPECIALLY successful people, fail (sometimes dozens of times) before they succeed. For an inspiring personal story from Rabbi Klatzko illustrating this, tune is at 27:05!

Humility Is Key

We are all dependent on the mercy of Heaven. Every success is from Hashem (G-d) and not because of our own abilities. Hashem wants us to put in our optimum effort, but at the end of the day, if He wants it to happen it will, and if not, not. We need to always have Hashem in mind along our journey.

Leah asks: What happens when your mission feels too challenging?

Rabbi K: Remember that everything comes to an end. All we can do is the best we can while we have the energy. If you still have energy, you still have a mission.

Special Rabbi Klatzko bonus —

The Pre-Marriage Daddy Talk: I gave each of my kids a special talk before their wedding. There’s so much information worth giving over, but a good speaker knows to focus on one idea and really hammer it home in every way: Love is not a constant. We don’t always feel “in love” with violins and an angelic choir. That feeling can come and go, so it can’t be what drives your marriage. You don’t always feel love, but you can always choose to feel mercy. Mercy means that even when I’m not feeling love, I won’t do or say anything to hurt you. I never want to cause you pain, no matter how much I’m not feeling the love.

Viewer question: In the moment of being upset, how do we tap into that mercy?

Rabbi K: Remember that this argument will eventually end, but the words you say will linger. Choose words that will not haunt you and your relationship.

Try This at Home

Meditate on who you are as a person, wife, parent, and community member. Ask yourself what about those roles makes you feel happy or what really concerns you. Those thoughts will lead you to your mission!

Press the arrow on the bottom right to scroll up to watch the show!

Additional Links:

• Shabbat.com — a social network for people who need a place for Shabbos meals anywhere in the world (it also has matchmakers and other resources)
• Rabbi Benzion Klatzko can be reached by phone at 212-SHABBAT