Discovering Life’s Purpose and Finding Gratitude
In a world where so many feel lost or overwhelmed, the message of purpose and gratitude can be a guiding light. Recently, I had the pleasure of discussing these profound ideas, and it reminded me how important it is to look within ourselves to truly understand “Who We Are” and ‘Why We Are Here”.
A Conversation with Baraka Goetz
What if the key to a more joyful life begins in childhood? What if parents, grandparents, and caregivers were able to better assist the emotional habits children form early on, like gratitude, mindfulness, spirituality, and self-love, that could shape their lifelong well-being?
Recently, on the“Life Made Easier” podcast, I was joined by the incredible Baraka Goetz. Bracha is an author, Harvard graduate, and wellness expert who is making it her mission to help children connect with their souls. With over 45 books written for kids (and counting), Baraka’s work gently plants seeds of joy, gratitude, and emotional awareness in the hearts of young readers.
As someone who shares my passion for nurturing children’s inner lives, I was deeply moved by her story and mission, including her journey of overcoming food addiction through spiritual growth.
In this conversation, Bracha shares how living from the heart, free from scripts and full of intention, can transform not only our lives but also the lives of the generations to come. This blog and the vlog episode will remind you of the power within yourself for starting over, healing deeply, and giving ourselves and children the tools to thrive.
Perhaps it’s best to begin learning about the pleasure ladder, inspired by ancient mystical teachings found in Kabbalah. Originally developed by Rabbi Noach Weinberg, and how to begin applying the methodology to your everyday moments.
Discovering the Pleasure Ladder: A Path from Addiction to Gratitude
What truly fills us up when we feel empty? Is it food, distraction, or something deeper?
In this powerful part of our conversation, Baraka Goetz introduces a life-changing concept called the Pleasure Ladder—a tool she teaches to children and adults alike, inspired by ancient mystical teachings found in Kabbalah. Originally developed by Rabbi Noach Weinberg, the Pleasure Ladder illustrates five levels of pleasure that correspond to both the five fingers on our hands and the five levels of the human soul. The message? Joy is always within reach—literally and spiritually.
Climbing the Pleasure Ladder
The First Level – Natural Physical Pleasure
So many believe physical pleasure is found only in intimacy. However, things like healthy food, music, nature, movement, and beauty. When we experience these gifts with gratitude, we unlock fulfillment. Without gratitude, even the richest pleasures feel empty. Something Bracha personally experienced in her journey of overcoming food addiction.
She reminds us: addiction stems from disconnection. What we’re really hungry for is connection—to our souls, to others, to something greater. And gratitude is the gateway.
Even something as simple as an orange, Bracha explains, holds deep spiritual intelligence and kindness. From its vivid color to the seeds hidden inside, nature teaches us to be present, thankful, and amazed.
The Second Level – Love
So many of us think love is something we receive. But what if love is something we can generate on our own, in any moment? Baraka invites us to reframe love as focusing on the shared values and the virtues of another. This ancient mystical definition makes love accessible anytime, anywhere. Even in a prison cell, one can reflect on the kindness of a grandmother or a moment of compassion from a stranger, and feel uplifted.
“The power to bring love into our lives doesn’t rely on someone being there. It comes from the connection we create through appreciation.”
The third level – Meaningful Action
When we give, we grow. Baraka shares the story of someone lonely and craving comfort food until a neighbor asked for help. Two minutes of helping a neighbor changed everything. When we contribute to others, our own emptiness dissolves.
This isn’t just a band-aid or quick tips. It’s spiritual nourishment. Our souls need meaning as much as our bodies need food. Even a small act of kindness, such as holding the door, offering a smile, can feed both souls.
The Fourth Level – Creativity
Here, we’re not just appreciating the world, we are co-creating with it. When we express a part of ourselves that no one else can replicate, we feel alive, energized, in flow with the stream of life.
“When we create with gratitude, the ego dissolves. We become vessels for something. The
The Fifth Level – The Highest Pleasure is Transcendence
The fifth level is the highest and the deepest level of pleasure, where we lose ourselves completely and experience a sense of oneness with the Holy Creator and Divinity. It’s the awe we feel in nature, the stillness during prayer, the surrender during profound healing. When “Life Made Easier,” It’s where our soul feels most at home, “Living from the Inside Out” a state of oneness, awe, and deep spiritual connection.
“It’s the moment we remember: We are not separate”.
We’re all connected, plugged into the same divine source energy. Whether through a starry sky, a quiet prayer, a sudden rush of gratitude, or a moment of clarity, transcendence lifts the veil of separation and reminds us that we belong here, to each other, to this world, to something greater. Having the proud realization of our value and worth.
“You don’t have to be religious to feel this. You just have to be open.”
This isn’t about dogma. It’s about direct experience. And that’s why so many today are shifting from structured religion to a personal spirituality choosing to cultivate an intimate, internal relationship with the higher powers within, however they define it.
This sacred connection is available to all, in any moment, and is where true healing begins. It’s not found in perfection or performance, but in presence and from within our individual essential selves.
Meet the Author: Bracha Goetz
Bracha Goetz is not just an author; she’s a soul who has walked the long, painful path of addiction, disconnection, and spiritual searching, and has found her way home.
Born into Judaism but feeling spiritually disconnected, Bracha spent her early years exploring different religions, philosophies, and traditions, searching for something deeper. In her quest for meaning, she attended Harvard, studied psychology, researched eating disorders, and went on to medical school, all while secretly battling food addictions that left her feeling empty and alone.
“I looked like I had it all—but inside, I was starving.”
It wasn’t until a pivotal summer in Israel, at her lowest point, that she discovered he spiritual roots, and nourishment for her hungry soul. That experience changed everything. She stayed in Israel, met her husband, and began a lifelong path of healing, learning, and helping others.
Today, Bracha is the author of 45 books for children and adults, including her memoir, Nourish the Soul: Filling the Emptiness Within. Her work invites people of all backgrounds to see themselves not just as bodies with needs, but as souls with light to share.
“The soul is always shining—we’ve just forgotten. But the light is still there, beneath the layers.”
Through her books, Bracha helps adults reconnect with their inner wisdom—and teaches children how to nourish the Soul: Finding True Happiness Within
In our busy, often chaotic lives, many of us search for happiness in all the wrong places. We look outside ourselves to achievements, possessions, relationships, and distractions, hoping they will fill the empty spaces inside. But as Bracha Goetz beautifully shares in her journey, true happiness isn’t something we find out there. It’s something we cultivate from within.
Why Looking Within is So Hard
I had the opportunity to share my struggle, many people face: When asked “Who are you?” most of us respond with external roles or accomplishments “I’m a mom,” “I work here,” “I do this job.” But that’s not the real answer. The essence of who we are is deeper and more spiritual than our external labels.
Many never learn to look inside because no one taught them how. Our culture often emphasizes external success over internal awareness. We don’t receive guidance on how to connect with our souls or understand that we are more than our daily roles.
And this lack of inner knowing and connection to “Who We Are” can lead to feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and even despair. When the soul’s hunger isn’t recognized, people seek to fill it with food, substances, or distractions, addictions that only provide temporary relief.
Breaking the Cycle
The good news is, it’s never too late to start looking within. We can break the cycle of disconnect and begin nourishing our souls by cultivating gratitude, mindfulness, and spiritual awareness.
Bracha’s story is inspiring because she has walked this path herself, struggling with addiction, searching through different religions, and ultimately finding a meaningful spiritual connection that transformed her life. Today, she shares this wisdom through her books and teachings, helping others discover their own happiness box.
Connecting with the Divine
One powerful insight Bracha shares is the importance of developing a personal relationship with the Divine, or whatever name you choose (please, don’t say Universe. The Universe was a creation for humanity).The Almighty Creator of love and light. For her, God is the “ultimate best friend,” a constant presence of joy and support.
This relationship doesn’t replace human connections but enriches them. When we feel full and loved inside, we’re better able to appreciate others and cultivate loving relationships.
Your Happiness Box is Already Within You
The truth is, we all carry that happiness box inside our minds and hearts. It’s always there, waiting for us to open it by choosing to focus on gratitude and love.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, lonely, or disconnected, remember Bracha’s story. Step inside your happiness box. Think only happy thoughts, or at least try to find one thing to appreciate. Start small. Maybe it’s the warmth of the sun, a kind word from a friend, or simply the breath you’re taking right now.
By nourishing your soul daily, you’ll find a joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances. You’ll discover that true happiness comes from within, from the light that has always been shining inside you.
Nurturish the souls of children early in life, with tools like gratitude, joy, and spiritual awareness.
The Pendulum of Life: Finding Balance in a Swinging World
Life often feels like swinging on a grandfather clock’s pendulum back and forth, between joy and struggle, peace and tension. For many of us, including myself, where we land in that swing depends a lot on our environment and what we’re focusing on in our minds.
I recently had a conversation with David Nordel (read his blog), a United States Air Force Command Chief for over 30 years (watch the interview here) shared a powerful strategy for moving forward in life. He said that whenever he feels that tightness in his throat or chest, the kind of discomfort that signals something isn’t right, he immediately lets go of whatever triggered it. No hesitation, no questioning. That struck a chord with me because it’s so true: we have to choose happiness or choose whatever is making us miserable. And sometimes, the choice is simple, but not always easy.
Gratitude is a key part of maintaining that balance. When we fill our days with appreciation, we train our brains to scan for positive patterns instead of dwelling on the negative. This doesn’t mean we ignore real dangers or challenges—awareness is essential, especially for those who’ve faced trauma, but it allows us to live in a more balanced state, a calm and quiet joy that weaves throughout our day.
Teaching Children to Shine: Awareness and Boundaries
Part of this balance comes from how we teach children to navigate the world. Two of my popular children’s books focus on preventing abuse and neglect. These difficult topics are essential because they help children feel more secure when they understand the boundaries and guidelines of safety.
Why is this so important? Because experiences of abuse and neglect can dim the light of the soul, putting covers over a child’s natural brightness. To help children’s souls shine fully, we must empower them with awareness and safety, just as we must nourish their bodies and minds with healthy habits.
Health, Family, and Breaking Generational Patterns
Another critical part of soul nourishment is physical health, which is deeply intertwined with emotional and spiritual well-being. In my book Let’s Stay Healthy, I discuss how nutrition, exercise, and self-care can uplift both body and soul.
Your reflections on family dynamics and health resonate deeply with me. Growing up in a family where education, health, and wellness were not prioritized can make it harder to break those patterns. You described a background where fast food, lack of exercise, and unhealthy habits were the norm, contrasted with a newer generation choosing athleticism and better lifestyle habits.
This pattern is common and reflects broader social and economic factors. Affluent families often have greater access to education, healthier food options, and safe spaces for physical activity, which support better health outcomes. Unfortunately, systemic barriers make it harder for families from less affluent backgrounds to access these resources, contributing to issues like obesity, diabetes, and learning challenges.
The good news is that awareness is the first step toward change. By educating children and families about nutrition and health, and by providing resources and support. We can start to shift these patterns, nourishing not just the body but the soul as well. Thank you for reading.
In grace and gratitude,
~Lesley Pazdzioch
