Conquering your inclination

“Eizehu gibor hakovesh es yitzro – Who is strong? He who conquers his personal inclination”
R’ Naftoli Ropshitz (1760-1827), the first Ropshitzer Rebbe, asks: Why does the mishnah refer to “his” inclination, rather than simply saying, “the yetzer hora”?
He explains that each person has his particular yetzer hora. Each person has a weakness for a different vice. Some may have an addiction, i.e. alcohol, smoking or drugs, which makes them vulnerable to sin. Therefore, that which tempts one individual to transgress may not have any impact on the other person. Hence, each person must make the effort to keep his weakness in check.
Moreover, explains the Ropshitzer, people often tend to note and correct others and their faults. The mishnah tells us “hakovesh es yitzro” – worry about your own yetzer hora and your own flaws.
http://www.inspirationalmoment.com/Chapter_Four_Mishnah_1_Day_One by Rabbi David Gol


"The Vilna Gaon in his peirush on Mishlei says that the reason why a person is put on this world is to break his middos. Life is granted to a person in order to perform the mitzvos he is least inclined to do. He is given a personality and told not to dare come back home to Shamayim with that same personality. He must break his habits and rectify his negative character traits. This is a lifetime struggle.
The Gemara in Bava Metzia (32b) says that if you have a choice between helping an enemy load packages onto his donkey or help your friend unload his donkey that is suffering under its load you should help your enemy even though causing an animal pain may be an aveira di'oraisa. Why the Gemara asks? Because it is better to conquer your inclination and overcome your disdain for your enemy even at the expense of causing Tzaar Baalei Chaim."
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As the days between Pesach and the holiday of Shevuos are marked by the counting of the sefira, I am significantly aware of the passing of each day. Particularly during this time approaching the holiday of Shavous which marks the giving of the Torah and our acceptance of the concomitant responsibility, I will strive to be a better person. This involves working on negative character traits and breaking harmful habits, built up over a lifetime.