Mindfully Jewish, episode #1. Blessings and curses, do we really know the difference? a podcast by Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst, MD Based on a sentence of this week's Parshat, in which Hashem opens the prophet Balaams eyes: וַיְגַ֣ל יְהֹוָה֘ אֶת־עֵינֵ֣י בִלְעָם֒ we discuss that how we value our life - count or blessings and our curses - is deeply rooted in the way our mind perceives things. In order to obtain a more positive outlook on life, we have to stop blaming ourselves for things that are outside of our control. However, the Torah teaches us that our lives are NOT solely dependent on fate. So there is an active part that we need to work on: we have to choose a way that will lead as to blessings, and a positive outlook that will open our eyes to the blessings that are already right in front of us.