The BCP Summer of Growth. Week Five: Spiritual Boost

And finally, and most importantly–we want to use summer to grow spiritually.

There’s lots of time to reflect, learn, and think about our ruchnius goals. This will also make us feel recharged and good about the time we spend over the summer. We don’t need to wait for Elul!

It’s overwhelming to commit to something lasting. The Summer of Growth Challenge is for this week only–but if your new initiative really speaks to you and makes you feel good, go ahead and continue!

Read a Gadol biography. (This is a general link to Artscroll biographies for some ideas to get started. We hope to share a more comprehensive list of our favorites in another post.)

Listen to a shiur in the car or while cooking, or, attend one in person, even if you don’t usually. If there’s one you always wanted to try, now is perfect.

Start a gratitude or “Thank You Hashem” journal. Even if just for this week. We automatically recognize more good things in our lives when we start with expressing gratitude for what we already have.

Take upon yourself an hour a day of Machsom Lefi, to not to speak Lashon Harah.

Focus on one part of davening that you struggle with. Learn the meaning behind it. Try to have kavanah specifically at that time.

Learn a mussar sefer–just a few pages a day! Take it slow so you can internalize them. Some great options include Sefer Chafetz Chaim, Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s Orchos Yosher, and Shaar HaBitachon with Commentary. Iggeres HaRamban (pocket sized version is here) and Iggeres HaGra (pocket sized is here) are short works with everlasting lessons.

Go to the Judaica Store and look for a pocket-sized book on any topic that inspires you. Read it while you’re filling your tank up with gas instead of scrolling on your phone.

Choose an area to brush up on halachos, such as Shabbos, Brachos, Kashrus, or Tefillah. Rigshei Lev link

Write a Cheshbon Hanefesh, a journal noting what you did right or wrong today, where you hope you can be better. Even if just for this week.

Take a kabbalah in tznius. Even if just for this week.

Read a self-improvement book on parenting, marriage, or any general life fulfillment.

Work on Emunah and Bitachon. Emunah with TEA has compiled an amazing list of emunah related resources. You can download the PDF here.

Make time for one extra tefillah to daven that you don’t usually.

Think about Olam Haba and your ruchnius life goals. Think about the kind of person you’d like to be. Take one small step in that direction.

And finally, learn to yearn for Mashiach and the Bais Hamikdash. Find a way to really internalize that desire. You can start by reading this post on 21 Reasons Why We Need Mashiach.