Can Sadness Ever Be Positive? : The Kabbalah of Behavior
There is a difference between "merirut" a constructive bitter grief and "atzvut" a destructive depressing state. Constructive grief motivates change.
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Shifra Sharfstein is co-director of Chabad of Downtown Universities in Atlanta, Georgia.
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I have been so sad for the last 2.5 yrs. I have experienced abuse, a loveless marriage, divorce, job losses and failures, but this is the first time in my life I have struggled to get up. My mother lived in her bed and I have always worked to not be that person. No matter what, I wanted to be a good Mom. After my daughter was taken by my ex, I didn’t want to eat. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have a plan. I struggle to get anything done. With moving and COVID I have no friends and have a new Rabbi. I do pray and read Torah and Tanya daily. That has kept me, but I feel like I am in Atzvut. I am struggling to get my house ready to sell so I can pay off my alimony, but it is so hard to do anything. This is helpful. Thank you!