We all hit those weeks.

I’ve been building Living the Dream with everything I’ve got—

Courses on Bitachon and Gratitude.

The 4-Minute Gratitude and Habitachon programs.

Journals in the works.

Mashal Monday videos.

Content every day.

And behind the scenes? I’m learning, davening, showing up for family, and trying to grow it all.

Most weeks, I manage to keep up.

Last week, I didn’t.

The Week That Didn’t Go to Plan

Thursday is my heaviest day.

It’s when I write my blog post, send out my newsletter with a weekly challenge and practical tools, prep the Geula Corner for a worldwide Ahavat Yisrael group, and record a parsha video.

But this past Thursday?

I was running on fumes.

Not enough sleep. Too many things on my plate. Poor planning on my part.

Everything took longer. I was moving slower. Foggy-headed. Frustrated.

I tried to push through—because the deadlines were real.

I davened and asked Hashem to help me be productive.

I laid out what I needed to do. I talked through my plans.

And then I said something different than usual:

“Hashem, I’m trying my best. But the outcome? That’s up to You.”

Bitachon in Real Life

In the past, a day like this would’ve stressed me out.

I would’ve snapped at interruptions. Treated every phone call like an attack.

Because I believed that everything rested on me.

If I didn’t deliver, I failed.

But not this time.

This time, I reminded myself:

I’m responsible for the effort—not the results.

I can try. I can plan. I can hustle.

But whether it works or not? That’s Hashem’s call.

And with that thought came a wave of peace.

I wasn’t lazy. I wasn’t giving up. I was letting go.

Bitachon means doing your hishtadlus—and trusting Hashem with the rest.

Deadlines, Stress, and the Illusion of Control

Let’s be real.

Deadlines are real.

Stress is real.

There are jobs on the line. Promotions. Clients. Invoices.

I’ve worked those jobs. I’ve felt that pressure.

And in that pressure, it feels like it’s all up to you.

If you don’t deliver, you might lose your income.

Your reputation. Your chance.

But that’s the illusion.

Your income isn’t from your effort. It’s from Hashem.

Your clients didn’t come from you. They were sent by Him.

If you lose one opportunity, He can open a better one.

If you miss a deadline, maybe you’ll see it was a blessing in disguise.

We’re not told to sit back and do nothing.

We’re told:

“Lo alecha hamelacha ligmor, v’lo ata ben chorin l’hibatel mimena.”

It’s not on you to finish the work—but you’re not free to walk away from it either. (Avot 2:16)

Do your 100%.

Then let Hashem decide what happens next.

Rav Moshe’s Weekly Phone Call

There’s a story about Rav Moshe Feinstein that can really blow your mind.

A woman used to call him every Friday to ask what time Shabbos started.

He always answered, kindly wishing her a Good Shabbos.

After he passed away, she called again.

When told Rav Moshe was no longer alive, she was confused—and said she had called every week for years.

He was always so kind and it never seemed like a bother.

Someone asked:

“Why would you bother the Gadol Hador for the time? Couldn’t you check yourself?”

But Rav Moshe never saw it as a bother.

He saw it as what Hashem put in front of him.

And if it came from Hashem, that made it his avodah—just as holy as any Torah learning or halachic decision.

Hillel’s 400-Zuz Smile

Then there’s the famous story from the Talmud (Shabbat 31a):

Two men bet 400 zuz (remember the kid in Chad Gadya was only 2 zuz) that one of them could get Hillel the Elder angry.

One Friday afternoon—when Hillel was busy preparing for Shabbat—the man went to Hillel’s house, yelling, “Where is Hillel?”

Hillel calmly came out and said, “My son, how can I help you?”

The man asked absurd questions:

“Why are Babylonian heads so round?”

“Why are the eyes of the Tarmudites so round?”

“Why are African feet so wide?”

Every time, Hillel answered with patience and kindness.

Finally, the man gave up and said, “Because of you, I lost 400 zuz!”

Hillel smiled and said:

“One must always guard himself from getting angry and staying calm was worth the man’s loss. At the same time, Hillel will not take offense.”

That’s not weakness. That’s real strength.

That’s control rooted in bitachon.

That’s knowing that whatever situation you find yourself in is exactly where Hashem wants you to be—and acting properly is your avodah at that moment.

So What’s the Takeaway?

We live in a world of pressure.

Do more. Achieve more. Faster. Better. Now.

But we’re not in control of outcomes.

We’re only in control of effort—and attitude.

When you trust that Hashem runs the world:

• You still show up.
• You still work hard.
• You still care deeply.

But you don’t carry the crushing weight of control.

You just do your best—and leave the rest in far better Hands.

🟡 Your Bitachon Challenge

This week, when you feel stress building up:

• Pause.
• Say: “Hashem, I’ll give it my all. But the results are Yours.”
• Then go forward calmly, confidently—and joyfully.

Let that trust guide your effort.

Let that surrender carry your heart.

Because that’s what it means to live with bitachon.

That’s what it means to live the dream.