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Changing Curses For Blessings - Loving Yourself and The World Around You

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There are people who talk about changing worlds; and then there are those few extaordinay people - not unlike Rabbi Shai Specht - who perform such a task with the mere setting of a pen to a blank piece paper, and then the angels begin to sing.

If you have by-any-chance forgotten what human LOVE is, was, or even can be? Look no further: Rav Shai has brought something quite special to the table with his fresh/unburnt/positive/offerings within a tome, which becomes no less than a banquet for the soul. Be filled with it's kind spirit!

"One should bless G-d for the bad in the same way as for the good...[regardless of] what happens to you." (Talmud; Berachot 54a; mishnah 9:5)

How many have learned this mishnah over the centuries? Probably millions.

How many have actually used it to make their lives happier?

"Helping" isn't always a question of "What" you say.

There's a whole aspect to Jewish teachings that, despite a somewhat "mandatory" tone, is meant to help us live happier lives.

But perhaps because of that (possibly) "mandatory tone," and the fact that these teachings are often accessed only by those who learn in a traditional Jewish format, the inspirational quality can be overshadowed.

As every teacher finds out, it's often a question of "How" you say it.

In every generation, teachers must find new ways to share Torah.

Rabbi Shai Specht has found his own special "How," restating Jewish teaching in an uncomplicated, modern way:

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Rabbi Shai is, without question, a "hasid" of his rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Gelberman, z"l.

He endearingly remembers his teacher, dedicating the book to his rebbe's memory and incorporating his rebbe's teachings into his own, with acknow-ledgement.

He captures much of his rebbe's spirit - the inspirational quality, the practical suggestions and applications; the story-telling and references to traditional rabbis and sources; all without becoming "academic." He employs some of Rabbi Gelberman's favorite kinds of word-play, but makes it his own.

So, Rabbi Shai's book carries on Rabbi Gelberman's inspirational work.

Yet, the presence of Rabbi Shai's own positive energy is undeniable. It's part of what this book offers, even beyond the words. Reading it, you feel yourself to be in the presence of a caring friend. Not just a caring friend, but one whose presence alone seems to lift you up effortlessly. People can feel better simply by reading this book, whether they follow the suggestions or not. For this alone, his is a best-selling "self-help" book on Amazon.com.

He has accomplished several very important things in this inspirational book:

1 - He includes multiple approaches

Rabbi Shai synthesizes his suggestions from numerous sources, including Kabbalah, Hasidut, modern psychology, and so on. He covers walking, guided imagery, positive thinking and more - all within a few, short pages - with a brevity born of wisdom. Implicitly, he also shows us that countless good resources are available to us today. We can make us of whatever works for us.

Touching numerous "bases" is in keeping with the open-minded approach that many of us take today. It's no longer a question of exercise versus self-examination; "intellect" vs. "body"; religion versus science; etc. More than ever, we draw on multiple sources in our quest to lead happy, healthy lives. We need exclude none.

2 - He keeps the language simple and direct.

He's found the right format for an audience that wants practical advice in the most accessible form possible. In the introduction, he rightly describes his book as a "life manual." A "manual" instructs or guides us. It gives us specific steps to follow. The "owner's manual" for a car doesn't go into the history of the internal combustion engine, or the aerodynamic principles involved in the car's design. It tells us what to do if we want to get in that car and go somewhere! Rabbi Shai's book does the same: it tells us what to do.

3 - He has kept the book short!

The small size makes it all the easier to consult. How right he was to keep it small!

The book is currently available only through Amazon.com, in a "Kindle" (download) format. It can be accessed at: www.amazon.com/dp/B006HNSPHY

Or: Go to "Amazon.com," enter "Books" as a category in the left-hand window, and "Rabbi Shai Specht" in the right-hand window, click "Go," and it should take you to an order page.

His use of the "Kindle" format is another example of adapting his teaching to a modern medium. It also helps keep the price at a very reasonable $4.99 - saving who knows how many trees in the process!

Rabbi Shai Specht's "Changing Curses for Blessings" is a book from which we can all learn many things.
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I was so moved by Rabbi Specht's references to Jewish customs and traditions in dealing with the efforts to personal growth. As a Catholic Christian, I found it very easy to relate to every concept the Good Rabbi was expressing. I also found it to be a great educational experience for someone not of the Jewish faith. I am recommending this book to a number of my friends, since I felt the book "talked" to me on a personal level, in many ways I needed to hear.

I have been following Shai Specht on Facebook and Twitter for over a year now and have always enjoyed his love of life and his words of wisdom. Needless to say when this book came out, I was very excited to read it, and I was not disappointed. In his book Shai explains how to live a happier more meaningful life. The amazing thing about this book is how Shai talks about very serious and deep issues but still keeps it fun and very easy to read. Without giving too much away, I have learned that being a coffee bean is much better than being a carrot or an egg. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to improve their life , going through a hard time in life, or is just looking for some meaning. Changing Curses For Blessings - Loving Yourself and The Wrold Around You

Rabbi Specht's book Changing Curses for Blessings-Loving Yourself and the World Around You is written in language that even our children can understand. In fact it would be a great gift for children. Children are often more receptive to the ideas, exercises, and thoughts expressed by Rabbi Specht in this book. This book combines wonderful spiritual principles and wisdom with practical application through exercises that achieve results. Many of the exercises included in this book are very similar to the exercises I encourage my clients to do in my coaching practice.

When we stop to realize that "Life is not living in a waiting room it's waiting in a living room" to quote Rabbi Specht, this changes our entire set of circumstances, we are no longer victims but active creators or co-creators of the situations we find ourselves in. We can use that awesome power to change the circumstances around us or at the very least to change our outlook on the circumstances. If people realized just how powerful our influence is the change in the world would be amazing. People often forget that our attitude has a huge influence over the events around us or to quote Dr. Dwayne Dryer "When you change the way you look at things the things you look at change."

Rabbi Specht also uses the art of storytelling in a beautiful way in this book. The stories told are stories that anyone can relate to from any background. The stories are all relevant, short, and very helpful in illustrating the point that Rabbi Specht is wanting to get across to us.

I will be recommending clients and coaches alike get this book because it is a beautiful addition to the genre and it is unique in the way the reader is made to take responsibility for themselves.