Do Your Own Part
When blessing seems held back, the faithful servant must not blame the Jewish people, but simply do his own part.
The Noam Elimelech reads Avraham's charge to his servant as a conversation between the attribute of chessed and the tzaddik, Hashem's faithful servant. The tzaddik is called the elder of the house because even in his youth he sees himself as old, always thinking that today he may return home on high, and so he lives in constant teshuvah. The servant asks: perhaps the woman will not want to follow me; shall I bring your son back? The Rebbe reads this as the tzaddik's question. If the flow of blessing does not come down, may I lay the blame on Your son Israel, and say that their sins are holding it back and that they must do teshuvah? Avraham answers, Beware lest you bring my son back there. Far be it from you to put the lack on them, the Rebbe explains. Just do your own part.
Source: Noam Elimelech, Bereishis, Chayei Sarah (on Bereishis 24:2–9)
When something goes wrong in a family, a classroom or a shul, it is easy to point at others. The next time you catch yourself thinking it is all their fault, pause and ask a different question: what is my part here, and what can I do today to make it better? Then do that one thing, without waiting for anyone else to change. A parent can start with a warmer word at breakfast; a teacher can start with one student; anyone can start with an honest look in the mirror.