You can say, "just don't look," but I am surrounded by immodestly dressed people every day. Sometimes I think it's hopeless to try to avoid them.
It's easy to become discouraged if you work in an environment where you must constantly be on guard. Don't give in!
Consider the account in the Talmud (Ta'anit 21b) about Abba, a doctor who received daily "greetings" from Heaven. What was his special merit? He had separate rooms for his male and female patients. Moreover, he would take serious precautions to guard his eyes when he treated women. These acts were considered such an accomplishment that he was given this rare spiritual reward.
A person who is regularly confronted with improper sights and controls his eyes is considered by G-d to be a mighty warrior. Your Creator is fully aware of the challenges He sends your way, and overcoming this one is no small achievement. That is why our Sages tell us that you will be rewarded for averting your eyes with abundant blessing in this world, as well as in the World to Come. [Taharat HaKodesh]
According to Taharat HaKodesh, if a person controls his eyes when he is in public places, Heaven considers it as if he withstood a test as difficult as Joseph's with the wife of Potiphar. Because he triumphed on that occasion and was known for his continual emphasis on modest behavior, he is known as Yoseph HaTzaddik. When we emulate his behavior, we are rewarded with the same blessings he received.
Taharat HaKodesh also offers an illuminating thought on a verse in the Song of Songs (5:12): "His eyes are as the eyes of a dove, by springs of water":
A dove has only one mate for his entire lifetime. If the men of Israel will not look at other women besides their wives, they will be likened to the Holy Supernal Dove, [i.e. G-d Himself]. In addition, they are "by springs of water," as it says (in Isaiah 58:11), "You will be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." The allusion to water depicts wisdom and understanding.
Today: Reinforce your resolve to guard your eyes in public places and know that you will receive a special blessing from G-d for your efforts.
As I came into my office this morning, my eyes fell upon an attractive woman waiting in the reception area. She was in my visual field for only a few seconds - but it was long enough for me to feel like a failure. After all my study, all my talk about Shmirat Einayim! I had fallen into the trap like an unsuspecting schoolboy.
I trudged into my office, beating up on myself as a hypocrite. A few minutes later, the phone rang. It was Dave. Is the guy psychic or something? I told him that I'm ready to give up - this challenge is simply too much for me.
He listened patiently as he always does. When I finished ranting, he said quietly, "What makes you think you're different from everybody else? We all fail once in a while. It doesn't make you a hypocrite, only human."
That was cold comfort. It didn't help me to know that others are overwhelmed too. But Dave wasn't finished. "Let me give you a little secret weapon," he offered. "Whenever you're confronted by a challenge like this, remember Yoseph HaTzaddik. He almost gave in to temptation too, but he overcame it. If you put in that extra ounce of effort, you will be putting yourself on his level - and the rewards are just as great."
"No way."
"I have it on good authority. Don't be discouraged. You may have trying moments, but don't let them get to you. When you work hard at this, your effort is rewarded in ways you can't even imagine."
So I felt better, determined to keep trying. One thing I know: When G-d promises blessings, He always delivers. Every now and then, I need that shot in the arm.
These e-mails are excerpts taken from the book "Windows of the Soul" by Rabbi Zvi Miller of the Salant Foundation.