An essential component of bonding is its endurance. Its ability to withstand challenges and setbacks. Without endurance there is no chance to develop true bonding.
Am I totally committed to the one I bond with? How much will I endure and how ready am I to fight to maintain this bond? Is the person I bond with aware of my devotion?
Exercise for the day: Demonstrate the endurance level of your bonding by confronting a challenge that obstructs the bond.
Here is the English translation:
On the fourth day of the sixth week of the counting, I find myself pausing at the meaning of “resilience” in relationships—not as a theoretical idea, but as a daily experience in which hearts are tested before words.
Here, resilience does not mean simply holding on, but the ability to continue despite challenges, to understand the other despite changing circumstances, and not to run away at the first test. Sometimes the hardest confrontations are not with the other person, but with ourselves: with our selfishness, our expectations, and our vulnerability in moments of pressure.
What I like about this reflection is that it does not demand perfection, but rather true commitment: to be honest in my loyalty, to reassess myself when I fall short, and to choose repair over withdrawal.
Today’s exercise seems simple on the surface, but it is deep: to face what is obstructing the relationship instead of ignoring it. Perhaps this “challenge” is an unspoken word, a
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We constantly hear that we must focus on our feelings first, and we must think about ourselves first and then, after, about others! Unfortunately, we live in a society that constantly reinforces individualism, self-loving, self-centered behaviors, and I could go on and on. However, to maintain a constant bond with someone one needs a level of devotion, and to have devotion one can not be self-centered or self-loving or self-absorbed and let alone a narcissist. On the contrary, a person needs to demonstrate, at least, some level of affection and loyalty toward another human being which means their needs above your own. Such a bond would be possible if one is able to overcome any challenge by fostering resilience through trust, commitment, and a sense of belonging and friendship. I believe that by embracing blessings in our lives on a daily basis we can enhance, cultivate and achieve a mindset that can help foster resilience to confront any challenge that comes in our direction. Reply
What I am learning about Netzach of Yesod as its wisdom is about challenges and set backs. Without endurance the bonding becomes meaningless over time.
I suspect it's about my "neediness" that wants to make the bond with the others all about "me". I can easily cast off that self centered approach to relationship by remembering it is not all about me all the time. Respect for the boundaries of others, forgiveness of short comings, and just enjoying the personalities, the gift of life and beauty in others makes a big difference.
Recognizing when I am lonely for the companionship of others I have a relationship with Hashem where Kavanah in prayer gives me a sense of well being - connections with others is important - but loving The Lrd our Gd with all our heart, soul, strength, being - is transforming of my "neediness". Baroch Hashem!
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Anger welled up in my heart and was trying separate my bond to Yah but His Grace kept me in His loving arms so I thank you for your beautiful meditations that keep me reminded of my bond to keep His commandments day & night. Amen. Reply
To wake up every morning with these insights makes my day full of love of others and myself
Thank you
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I am wondering if a single person like me, can bond with myself from the perspective of bonding with the highest good I am able to represent in the world - something I am working on. Reply
This is a very important one, and very relevant to my life right now. Thanks for posting! Reply
Omer 39, Bonding... Summed up in one word: LOYALTY. Reply
A great word for the characteristic that keeps a bond of love in a most privileged status of being desired- unconditionally, because worthiness is beyond any doubt. Reply
Chabad.org This website has spiritually awakened my inner being to be righteous most who know or knew me before probably wouldn't recognize me now, I have had to distance myself from the outward senses that pollute my inward senses, I feel as I count down the Omer each day that God is cleansing me for my trip to Jerusalem, this site has taught me much ,I am very thankful , Shalom, Reply
It’s remarkable that this is the challenge from earlier today, I had to do exactly this!
An online friend of mine is a woman about my age (I'm 73) whose 2 grown daughters, her only children, both passed away, within a year of each other, from different causes.
I can’t remember exactly how we met, but, when I heard that, my heart was broken & we started chatting.
She is very sweek, not Jewish, but extremely supportive & of Jews & Israel. We texted many times, but sometimes, she declined to chat bcecause she fights depression daily, & just can’t cope with anything. I can’t possibly imagine that kind of pain & have told her exactly that.
We hadn’t chatted in a couple of weeks, then today, I got a message from her saying that she understood if I didn’t want to be friends anymore bc it was overwhelming for me!😳
I didn’t wait one minute, but called her & assured her that there was a misunderstanding! I never said that or meant to imply it!
All is well with us again now. B’H!
B"H Loyalty sure tests endurance. Loving H' means the choice to be happy always makes sense, given every good reason to trust there's hope for all to end well. HaShem shall return life to souls and deliver justice with mercy. He gave us the Torah to keep our feet on the ground and look up. Nice comments over the years make me thankful to be in this conversation! Take good care and enjoy every blessing.