The Library

For those who are unfamiliar with the "family life" of our lively forum, "7Up" is not just a another member; she is a GYE phenomenon! In her short time with us, she was promoted to "Global Moderator" and put in charge of the women's forum; she became known as the GYE Rebbitzin and most everyone on the forum has come to simply call her "Mom". She helped transform our forum into a lively, homely and fun place, besides offering priceless wisdom, wit and chizuk to inspire us all. To read more about how she joined GYE and learn where she got the name "7Up", see Chizuk e-mail #572 on this page, where we congratulated her on her first 90 days.

Click here to read the lyrics and download a song that Uri composed in honor of her 90th day.

A few recent posts from "7up":

Here's what I say when the yetzer hara starts yapping about falling:

"Tatty, I have so many fights and nisyonos every day.
This one isn't even mine.
It's Yours; ("Let go and let G-d", remember?)
I will try overcome the ones I'm meant to deal with.
But I really have no energy or even desire to deal with Your department.
Please, take care of this yetzer hara and leave me out of it.
I'll fight my battles, You fight Yours."

I agree it's a little chutzpadik,
but for some reason He listens anyway.
It has worked every time so far!
And I'd much rather talk to Hashem than the yetzer hara anyday!

Sometimes I wish I could play G-d and wipe pain off the face of the earth.
Especially off the faces of those I love.

And then I remember the most basic fact in this world:
If I hurt over their pain,
How much more so does Hashem, Who loves us more than we can ever imagine?

Do I know why we have to suffer?
Do I know why there is so much pain
and suffering
and heartbreak
and loneliness
and abuse
and...
and...
and...

No, but do I have to?

Davka down in the mud is where I find Hashem the easiest.
And I've learnt that regardless of how slimy and dirty I may be,
He never hesitates to hold me on His lap
when I remember to call out to Him and ask.
And somehow,
I always get up,
spotlessly clean
till next time.

"7Up" writes to the 3 "sisters" on the forum ("Habib", "Letakein" & "Trying"):

You girls simply don't realize how precious and on the mark your conversations and insights are. You are learning to look within yourselves and find what's motivating you for good, as well as bad. You give to each other so selflessly. How many times have the 3 of you woken up at crazy hours of the night to support a sister? Too many to count is my guess. Perhaps one reason Hashem in His chesed gave you each this nisayon, is to bring out the ahavas chinam for total strangers. Because yes; when you began, you had no idea whom the other was, other than a code name and cute avatar. Ahavas Chinam to an unknown sister. Is there anything more beautiful than this?

"7Up" writes to someone who keeps having repeated falls, but doesn't give up:

Personally, I think that someone who is sailing along smoothly is less of a hero than one climbing and falling and climbing again. Hero status in Hashem's book is: "7 yipol tzaddik v'kum". Why couldn't it just say "7 yipol v'kum"? Because Hashem knows better than anyone just how hard it is too keep getting up and moving after constant falls. So in a rare example of explanation and encouragement, He uses the word "tzaddik":

"Yes my beloved son, I know there is nothing harder than what you consider constant failure. And because I understand that - really, I'm telling you that I am not seeing failure from My vantage point of heaven and eternity. I see "tzaddik". Let that help you keep moving forward, even if you keep falling, because you are a beloved tzadik in My eyes. For eternity".

Forget about trying to minimize the bumps of life.
Hashem places the bumps in strategic spots, davka.
Instead, 'let go' of control and learn to enjoy the ride.
(Come on; don't you like roller coasters? So what's a bump or two?)
Sit comfortably in the passenger seat, fold your arms and relax.
Hashem is the in the driver's seat.
And He'll never get you lost!

Be patient with yourself. As you learn how to fill up the hole within yourself, and start to notice the sunshine - even when it's behind a cloud, your need for lust will slowly dissipate IY"H. You have just started a new path. Give it time.

"7up" writes to a new member:

Welcome to the Guardyoureyes family. For good and bad, our numbers are growing daily. As more people learn about this life-vest called GYE, our numbers swell. While we are glad to be able to offer help and hope to so many suffering Yidden, it is heartbreaking that so many of us need it. But one thing is for sure; you are not alone, trapped in this web, and there is hope for escape!

"7up" responds to someone who writes about the addiction:
"I wish I had never got into this mess in the first place."

Everything that happens to us in this world, is for our good. Hashem loves us, and has no desire to see us suffer needlessly. But He knows that sometimes the only way we will grow is through painful experiences. So He tests us, to see how we will use the experience to grow closer to Him. And ultimately, NOTHING is more beautiful and fulfilling than that!

Reprogramming ones mind is hard, but picture this:

Until now, you have been travelling along in your trusty little Volkswagon,
circling the block in your little putt putt car, thinking that you are safe, secure and sheltered.

Suddenly, there is a big red neon sign flashing in front of you;
Detour! Road flooded!

Now what??

For years you've been making four left turns and circling the block.

Without any choice, you turn right,
convinced that you are about to get lost forever.
But lo and behold;
this road has your Volkswagon climbing a beautiful mountain,
with trees and birds and little animals,
and scenery you never knew existed.

And suddenly your car transforms itself into a Lexus!
And you realize that it's easy riding from here on in,
as you set the cruise control,
let go the wheel,
and spend your days exploring life's paths!

***************

The brain is made up of billions of pathways and neuron-passages.
Reprogram your mind-set.
Start exploring all the hidden secrets within your own mind.

Turn right and don't look back.