Elul is a month of love, and it stands for: אֲנִי לְדודִ י וְדודִי לִי שיר ו ג “I am my Friend’s, and my Friend is mine”. And a personalized love: אֲנִי לְדודִ י “I” am my Friend’s (singular) not a Rabim (plural). Just me and Hashem. חַּ יָ יב אָ דָ ם לוֹמַּ ר בִּשְ בִּילִּי נִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם סנהדרין לז א every person is obligated to say: “The entire universe was created just for ME”. It is a time to feel special, and to thank Hashem until you’re: שִ יכור drunk from thankfulness for every breath of air, and every drop of delicious food, Torah, Mitzvos, a wife, a chavrusa, and all those wonderful Mitzvos.
This is how a Yid goes to the most-scary judgment in court. When you are best friends with the judge, and always thanking Him and appreciating how great He made you, then you’re bound to win. Then you’ll be ready for A FUTURE LIFE LOADED WITH GOOD SURPRISES in Ruchaniyus and Gashmiyus. The more you thank, the more you get!! Don’t be stingy! Be lavish and hearty with those praises and Thank You’s! Learn from Dovid HaMelech!
Don’t forget to thank Hashem for all those horrific habits, like forgetfulness and losing things, and even slight inconveniences, like people who irk you. All your painful mistakes, your social anxieties, and lack of Kavod from loads of people, etc. In Shamayim, these tiny pains are considered terrible. They are your Glick (good fortune) in life, since they take away your worst sins, and you don’t get sick, as they were already: מְכַפֵּר atone on you.
