Awareness and Action

The Mishna forewarns: "On the eve of the coming of Moshiach...each day's curse will be heavier than the preceding day." What good could come from giving us this prophecy? Had this situation not been foretold, it would have been so perplexing when it happened that the Jews would have become dispirited. But now that we know what to expect, we can take heart, and can tackle our divinely appointed tasks with zest.
(the Rebbe)

One must always think to himself: "What have I done and what am I doing now to alleviate the birth-pangs of Moshiach, and to merit the complete Redemption which will come through our righteous Moshiach?"
(the Previous Rebbe)