As we leave Mitzrayim in the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim, we recognize that each of us has our own personal Mitzrayim to break free from.

Maybe it’s self-doubt.
Maybe it’s fear of the unknown.
Maybe it’s just being too comfortable in a life that isn’t really what we want.

But deep down, we all feel it. That pull toward something greater. The sense that we were meant for more.

So why do we stay stuck?

Because there’s a gap. A space between where we are and where we want to be. And we don’t always know how to cross it.

Bridging the Gap: Seeing the Destination But Not the Road

For years, I dreamed of moving to Israel. It was always the plan. I just had to figure out the right time.

First, I told myself I’d move to Montreal, then to Israel. Then I told myself I’d move to Edmonton, then to Israel.

Each step made sense. It was logical. It was safe.

When COVID hit and our community started shutting down, I knew we had to move again. This was the perfect moment to finally go to Israel, right?

Instead, we started looking at other communities in North America. Again, we told ourselves, “We’ll move there for a few years, then make aliyah.”

Then my wife asked one question that shattered everything:

“If we really want to be in Israel, why are we moving somewhere else first?”

Boom. That was it. The glass ceiling cracked. That night, we applied for aliyah.

How many times do we do this in life?
We set a goal but convince ourselves we need one more step before we get there.
We dream big but hesitate when it’s time to act.
We see the destination but struggle to believe the road leading there is real.

Why is that?

What’s Holding Us Back?

Is it self-doubt?
Is it fear of failure?
Is it the voices in our head telling us we’re not ready yet?

Moshe Rabbeinu had no idea what his potential was before the burning bush.
Bnei Yisrael had no idea what they could become until they left Mitzrayim and received the Torah.

Sometimes, we don’t know what’s possible.
Sometimes, we know we can do more, but we don’t know how.
Sometimes, we sense something greater is out there, but we don’t even know what it is.

The truth is, we are the ones holding ourselves back.

The Power of Thoughts: Creating Your Own Reality

The Lubavitcher Rebbe famously said, “Think good and it will be good.”

This isn’t just a nice saying. It’s the secret to breaking free.

We are constantly shaping our own reality with our thoughts.

• When we think negatively, we shrink our world.
• When we think positively, we expand our potential.

That’s exactly why I created 4-Minute Gratitude—to help train our minds to focus on the positive, to shift our perspective, to break the cycle of limiting thoughts.

Because the biggest Mitzrayim in our lives isn’t external. It’s internal.

It’s the voice that says:
“I’m not ready.”
“I need more time.”
“I’ll do it later.”

But later rarely comes.

Your Life is About Growth

At a baby’s bris, we say “Zeh katan, gadol yihyeh.”
This tiny baby will grow into the great person he is meant to be.

At 8 days old, he can’t do anything. He’s helpless.
At 90 years old, he can look back at a life of growth, challenges, and accomplishments.

Now look at yourself.

Picture the person you want to be in 20, 30, or 50 years. Can you see them?

Now, can you see the steps it will take to get there?

Most people can’t.

We overestimate what we can accomplish in a year, but we underestimate what we can accomplish in 5 or 10 years—if we commit, if we take action, if we believe it’s possible.

Habits: The Small Steps That Change Everything

We don’t grow by accident.

We live the same days, the same routines, the same thoughts—unless we actively choose to break free.

This is why habits are everything.

• If you build great habits, even on your worst days, you’ll still be moving forward.
• If you live life on autopilot, your days slip away, wasted.

We think our feelings shape our thoughts.
“If I feel happy, I’ll think happy thoughts.”

But it’s the opposite.

Our thoughts shape our feelings.
“If I think happy thoughts, I’ll feel happy.”

If we wait to feel ready, we never start.
If we act first, the feelings follow.

Shattering Your Glass Ceiling: What’s Your Mitzrayim?

Every single day, we have a choice.

• We can keep living small, stuck in the same patterns.
• Or we can break free.

Every day is an opportunity to take one step closer to your full potential.

But if you let doubt control you, if you let your limiting thoughts win, you stay in your personal Mitzrayim.

So I’m asking you:

What’s your Mitzrayim?
What’s holding you back?
What are you convincing yourself you need to do first before you can actually take the step you really want to take?

Your Challenge This Week

1. Identify one limitation that’s been holding you back.
2. Challenge it—is it real, or just a story you’ve been telling yourself?
3. Take one concrete action to move forward. Even something small. Just move.

And if you want to start rewiring your brain to think differently, to break free of limiting thoughts, try 4-Minute Gratitude.

It’s simple. It’s powerful. And it’s a daily way to train your mind for growth, positivity, and action.

Your future is waiting.

Now go claim it.

Final Thoughts

This post isn’t just something to read. It’s something to act on.

The gap between where you are and where you want to be? It’s only as big as you let it be.

So stop waiting. Stop holding yourself back.

Break free.

You were meant for more.

Now go live it.

If this post resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Let’s break free together.

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