Shivitis come in all shapes and sizes. This Shiviti is in the shape of an octagon because there is a strong connection between the number 8 and this verse. Besides being found in verse 8 of Psalm 16 (8x2), in the Hebrew original the verse has 8 words and 32 (8x4) letters.

In Jewish tradition, 7 represents perfection in our physical world, while the number 8 takes us into the spiritual realm. Eight reflects both the Divine Essence in all aspects of physical reality and the soul’s awareness, as it completes its tasks in this world, of being linked to God at all times.

Red is associated with two Biblical figures. King David, this Psalm’s author, is described in Samuel 1 (16:12) as being "ruddy" and having "beautiful eyes and good vision". Esav is also described as "ruddy" (Genesis 25:25), but Jewish tradition tells us Esav had an evil eye.

Looking with an evil eye means viewing another person with jealousy, or purposely finding fault. Thus, the color red can prompt us to be aware of how we look upon others – do we look with the evil eye of Esav or the good eye of King David?

In Kabbalah red is the color of Gevurah (Strength or Judgement, the left hand), while white is Chesed (Love, the right hand).

Although the soul’s natural tendency is to want to bestow goodness on others, sometimes anger or jealousy makes Gevurah get "out of hand" and we judge others harshly.

Therefore, Gevurah and Chesed must work together to achieve an inner balance. When Gevurah is used to wisely judge a situation and keep emotions in check, Chesed can be bestowed with an open hand.

So what’s "Shiviti" doing on a piece of decoupage art? Isn’t the synagogue a more appropriate place for a Shiviti than the living room or office?

If we accept what "Shiviti" is telling us, that we are always standing in the presence of God, then how we behave at home and at work is just as important as how we behave during prayer.

But how can you be expected to focus on God when the kids are crying, you’re late for work and someone just took your parking space?

The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, shows a way by pointing out the close relation between the word "Shiviti" (I have placed) and "hishtavut" – to make equal.

If we can learn to stop judging situations or people as being either good or bad, then we no longer have to waste time being angry or jealous. When we learn to accept that everything that comes to us comes from God, we can view life with equanimity.

Another way to look at "Shiviti" is through the eyes of Abraham Joshua Heschel, a 20^th century American rabbi. He suggests that we look upon every person we meet as being a Shiviti, a reminder of God’s presence.

Okay. So the Baal Shem Tov and Rabbi Heschel never met your boss, or your in-laws or your neighbors.

But before you reject these concepts as being entirely unrealistic, imagine for a few moments what your life would be like if every person you encountered throughout your day treated you with kindness and respect. And then imagine what the world would be like if everyone regarded every other person as holy, precious, and a unique expression of the Divine Essence.

We can’t choose what happens to us, how others treat us, but at any given moment we can choose how we act and react; whether we look at the world through eyes that are angry or jealous, or through eyes that are compassionate and loving. When we place God before us, instead of our egos and insecurities, we are able to rise above any situation and do what’s right.

So the next time you feel harmful words or actions welling up inside, try using this image to get back to a place of inner balance. Stop, take a few deep breaths, and say "Shiviti..."

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