Sefira - Lessons for Life

Last week Musha signed me up onto the email list for a Call to Action - it's a booklet of practical horaos from the Rebbe that relate specifically to that week. I really love it, first of all because if the Rebbe said it, we're supposed to do it and take it seriously. And second, it feels good to have specific instructions and even just reminders of what you are supposed to do just then.
So i'm gonna share some of the points for this week that i think we can all take to heart and work on ourselves. Here goes:

• We know the whole deal with sefira as a time of mourning for the students of Rabbi Akiva... so the Rebbe tells us that this means that sefira is a time we are granted particular ability to correct any lack in our respect for our fellow Jews. so now is the time!
• We should express our ahavas yisroel by speaking with each other peacefully an in a friendly manner, and by reaching unanimous decisions on matters that previously caused a divide. (no more agreeing to disagree!)
• Nahagu teaches us that ahavas yisroel should become our minhag, our routine, and it should not require effort to act respectfully to each other.

and there's more... and this really cool discussion about diversity vs. unity but i think this is enough for one post....:)