Three stages of serving Hashem

On the words 'Lech lecha – go from your land, your birthplace and your father's house', the Noam Elimelech describes a path in three steps. First, a person learns to master physical appetites so that even eating becomes holy. Next, he works to break inborn negative traits such as anger, which opens the heart to true love of Hashem. Finally, he adorns his life with beautiful deeds. He adds a warning not to rely on, or boast of, one's ancestry – each person must make the journey himself.