EFFORT

Mariam struggled with fine and laborious sewing. She wished the work was completed.
The Rabbi said, "Nothing worthwhile is ever achieved without effort."

RESPONSIBILITIES

Mariam found her responsibilities weighing heavily upon her.
She told the Rabbi, "Lord, this way of life you chose for me has much suffering."
He answered her, "Any way of life you chose would have had suffering."

No life of worth on this earth is free of difficulty. 

CHANGE

Someone tried to convert Mariam from her belief in the Rabbi.
Mariam told the Rabbi, "Lord, I am praying for him to see the light according to you, and he is praying that I will receive the light according to his belief."
The Rabbi, amused, said, "The stronger light will win."

Don't be perplexed if another tries to win you over to belief away from the Master. 
Nothing can take you away from the Way, the Truth and the Life if you don't wish it.

GOOD EXAMPLE

The Rabbi told Mariam, "There comes a point where who you are says more than what you say."

Preach by good example.

WISDOM

Mariam heard the maxim, "Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread."
The Rabbi told her, "And how did the wise become wise? By first rushing in. And then learning from the experience."

Experience is a steady teacher.

SPIRITUAL STUDY

Mariam was tempted to give up her spiritual study as she felt she was getting nowhere.
The Rabbi encouragingly told her, "The one who keeps plodding is the one who wins."

The road to holiness is a long one. It is a very easy path to fall off, and a hard one to stay on. Yet the one who perseveres despite all is the one who will win through.

THE CAREER LADDER

Mariam had the opportunity to climb the career ladder, and found herself disregarding the feelings of others while doing so.
The Rabbi told her, "Don't let your ambition ruin your character."

Don't let the quest for advancement in chosen career blind you to basic courtesies.