On the day of judgement is the best time to be afraid of Hashem, but not in the way we think. Our ideas of what's considered good are very limited ideas. Fear of Hashem includes the fear of facing Him in the world to come. That's the greatest dread of all. Someday we'll come face to face with Hashem. And then there's a great dread what's going to happen. -- Fundamental Principles (#E-201)

The Torah tells a person who is busily putting food in his mouth to stop what he is doing and make a blessing of thanks to Hashem. He is told to appreciate what he is getting. Then, after he finishes eating he says Bircas HaMazon, reflecting on the benefit he has just received and the pleasure he has enjoyed. Thus, the Torah leads a person to use his mind to appreciate the goodness and the happiness of This World. -- Ohr Avigdor Shaar Avodas Elokim

"His'halelu B'shem Kadsho -- Glory (Praise yourselves) in his Holy Name."

We are admonished to avoid all humility in these matters, but we should glory in the unique distinction that He singled out our nation to perform for them wonders which were done for no other people, and by which His holy name became exalted. -- Praise, My Soul

"WITH YOUR MOUTH AND WITH YOUR HEART TO DO IT.." (Devarim 30;14)

The Israelite possesses a potential holiness. By speaking in these principles and laws, and by thinking in them, he brings forth his potential excellence into actuality ("to do it"). That is the most important function of these teachings and practices: "Mitzvos are given solely for the purpose of refining Israel" (Vayikra Rabbah 13:3)

And his mind becomes a Torah fountain (Avos 6:1). -- Fortunate Nation

There is nothing little about character traits. They are of the utmost importance in a man's career, and what a man's nature is, what his character becomes, that's how the man is judged forever and ever. That's his success in this world, or chas vesholom the opposite. -- Foundations of Midos (#312)

"To the house of G-d we go with excitement (b'ragesh)." -- Tehillim 55:15

The genuine Jew hastens to his house of prayer three times daily, while his neighbors look on in wonder at such extreme devotion. Before entering, pause to become excited; "I am about to enter the place of the Shechinah!" -- Awake, My Glory 

Everything depends on what you are internally. When we say "vetaher libeinu --purify our hearts," we are talking about that subject. The purity of heart means middos, character. No matter how good you are externally, it's impossible to live according to the expectations of the Torah if a man inwardly has undesirable traits of character. -- Foundations of Midos (#312)

"AND TO PUT YOU UPPERMOST OVER ALL THE NATIONS WHICH HE MADE..." (Devarim 26:19)

The nations were made for the purpose of testing Israel if they would resist the harmful influence of the nations, and rise uppermost over all of them by means of keeping all of Hashem's commandments and by making Hashem the chief purpose ("uppermost") in their lives. "All matters of the world are tests for men" (Mesillas Yesharim I), and the nations of the world were made by Hashem to serve as part of the Israel's tests. -- Fortunate Nation

In physical things there is no such thing as happiness. We imagine that if we move into a better house or a better neighborhood, things will be better. When we get there we see that it's not yet what we want and we keep on moving. We truly don't know where to go, because there is no end to human desires, whether they be desires of the body or desires of recognition, honor, and wealth. -- Ohr Avigdor Shaar Avodas Elokim

"And these words that I command you today should be on your heart..." (Krias Shema)

Is it said here, "And these words," to exclude all other words; ONLY these words should be in your heart... This is the means of arriving at the true love, for these words occupy the mind ("heart") with love of Hashem and leave no space for any other kind of love. -- Praise, My Soul 

Despite the fact that what our parents did for us was motivated by their own feelings, we are obligated to be grateful to them. And if we are obligated to show gratitude towards a father and a mother, then how much more are we obligated to show gratitude to Hashem, the Source of all good. We are not His children physically and not part of His personality. Thus, He is not motivated by any of the weaknesses of nature that parents have. -- Ohr Avigdor Shaar Avodas Elokim. 

It is important to realize the greatness of a human being before you can understand what it means to be a Jew. And don't think it's a small thing to understand the greatness of mankind. The Alter of Slabodka spoke for forty years on the subject of gadlus ha'adam, the greatness of mankind. -- The Perils of Humility (#12)

When we  bow down to Hashem during the Shmonei Esreh, we must not underestimate the value of this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the countless kindnesses that we receive from Hashem... Each time, think of one specific kindness (of thousands) and bow in deepest humility of humble gratefulness. -- Fortunate Nation

"This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he does not hearken to our voice..." (Devarim 21:20)

The son that listens to instruction enjoys the inner happiness of virtuous achievement, and he does not need to pursue physical pleasures. But the son that does not hearken to instruction is never truly happy, and therefore he constantly seeks the empty pleasure of excessive food and wine as substitutes for the true pleasure of Achievement. -- Fortunate Nation

Whatever you think Hashem has in His mind (so to speak), there's nothing as central, nothing as weighty, nothing as urgent in the mind of Hashem as what is happening to the Am Yisroel right now, in this little world. -- Thinking Hashem's Thoughts (#1000)

A blade of grass is a miracle, it's more complicated than a skyscraper. Imagine a skyscraper would grow in your backyard; a blade of grass makes a skyscraper into nothing, it's so complicated. A skyscraper can't grow. This can grow too, it gets bigger and bigger. Miracles of miracles in one blade of grass.  And that causes people, even of smaller stature, to become aware of Hashem and full of joy. -- True Happiness (#685)

Because the Shechinah dwells among the people of Israel (Bamidbar 35:34), anyone that joins the holy nation (Dvarim 7:6) is in proximity to Hashem; and those that together uphold His service in Yeshivos and synagogues and in loyal observant Kehillos, are thereby close to Hashem "Who dwells amidst the sons of Israel." — Fortunate Nation

The great happiness of the ohev (one who loves) Hashem is available in this world. The real longing you have in your heart — this is what you really want. Everything else that you love — money and honor — are only substitutes. After a while you get disgusted and see they are not what you really want. — Learning to Love Hashem (#675) ​

When Hashem gave the Torah, it wasn’t a case where Moshe came out of his tent and said “fellow Israelites, a voice spoke to me and told me this.” They didn’t believe because Moshe Rabbeinu told them. They heard what he heard. The entire nation heard. By the way, there isn’t a single nation in the world to ever claim anything remotely similar. — Eternal Sanctuary of Marriage (#516)
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Mesilas Yesharim says, "Kol inyanei haolam nisyanos heim l’adam -- All the matters in this world, everything, are tests for man."

That’s a sweeping statement! What does it mean tests? Hashem has to test you to know what you are? He doesn’t know beforehand what you’re going to do? What’s the purpose of a test? 

And the answer is when you put gold into a refining furnace and it melts and the dross swims to the surface and you ladle off the dross so only pure gold remains. You’re not testing the gold, you’re purifying the gold. And so everything in this world is for the purpose of elevating man. — Greatness Of Work (#662)

A simple piece of bread has within it all the components that will supply a person with materials for his hair, his eyes, his blood, his marrow, his bones, his spleen, and all the secretions of his body. So when we look at a a piece of bread we are seeing a magical substance, a ness (miracle). When people understand that, their minds become open and they begin to appreciate how good This Worlds is. -- Ohr Avigdor Shaar Habechinah

"Baruch atah Hashem -- Blessed are you Hashem -- rofei cholei amo Yisrael -- Healer of His people Israel," 

You Hashem are the one who keeps us well. You are healing us. Not merely when we're not sick; You're healing us constantly.. Of course when it's necessary to take medicine, we should take it. But you have to know that Hashem is the one who heals us. Your mitzvah is to take the medicine. But work on that emunah (faith) that only Hashem is the rofei cholei amo Yisrael. -- Seven Objectives of Tefila (#864)

"JUST AS A MAN CHASTISES HIS SON, SO HASHEM YOUR G-D CHASTISES YOU." (Devarim 8:5)

It must be made clear in your thoughts and emotions ("in your heart") to understand this principle thoroughly, that all the discomforts (and also severe chastisements) and the stern reprimands {of Hashem} are all a sign and a testimony of Hashem's especial love of you as His children. -- Fortunate Nation

If a man goes around in this world unhappy — he says This World is nothing, This World is just darkness and bitterness, it’s only we’re waiting for the real World to Come — that man will never understand his purpose in this world. “Kol ha’osek b’shira,” you have to be busy singing in this world, and thanking and expressing gratitude.

​And if you do, what’s going to happen? “Zoche l’omra l’olam habah,” he’ll be rewarded that he’ll continue to say this song in the Next World. — Singing in the World (#1) 

Romance doesn’t make happiness in marriage, because it’s something that can’t endure. It’s only imaginary happiness, it’s only a functional thing. As soon as the purpose is accomplished then romance declines, it goes down the drain. — Bitachon (#32)