here’s an eitza:
Example: you want to watch a bad movie. So- instead of fighting with your yetzer hara, you play a mind game (which is the perfect “antibody” since that is exactly what he is doing with you). You tell yourself “I WILL watch the movie, just not right now. I’ll watch it in an hour.” The hour will be hard, you’ll be watching the clock. But you made a bet and don’t want to be the loser- right? So the hour passes relatively well. Tell youself “I’m really going to watch it. Promise. Just give me another 20 minues and I’ll go. I’m telling you- I’ll really watch it. Just give me another 20 minutes.”
These 20 minutes will probably pass by very easily- you’re on a roll now and you are challenging yourself- and feeling good for coming out on top! Now- the yetzer hara does not give up so fast. So the 20 minutes are up and you still want to watch that movie. If you feel you really can’t push it off any longer- watch it! You are not going to conquer the yetzer hara and win the war in one fell swoop. But the time that you pushed off watching it is worth something BIG in Hashem’s book.
We are not here to be perfect and win the war, but to fight each battle as it comes to the best of our ability. In addition, this is a great starting point to take it further the next time we have this “test”.
Another eitzah:
Distract yourself! You’re really getting annoyed at Mr. A. The more he talks the angrier you get. Ok- time for small talk with Mr. B- or time to go pick up x,y,z… Whatever it takes- just take your mind off of that which is getting you deeper into doing the aveira. Turn in a completely different direction and see where it takes you.
Good luck to all!!