This past weekend I had the privilege of spending two days in Florida with close friends. Throughout our trip I noticed that much of our conversation consisted of the patter of our noting how gorgeous the weather was, how good the sun felt on our faces, how beautiful the ocean was as it altered color and intensity throughout the day. We appreciated the delicious food that we ate, the easy flight connections that we made, our wonderful husbands who made it possible for us to go, and so much more. During a vacation it is easy to feel grateful – there are so many great features to appreciate. But the truth is, part of what makes a vacation great is just that we have the time to pause and notice. The sheer opportunity to spend two days just noticing the abundance and beauty in our world is a big part of what made this trip so special.
Since I returned from the trip I have begun to focus on what my daily life could look like if I took this practice of appreciation into my life more deeply. What would the patter inside my head sound like if I noticed all of the beautiful aspects of my world in that constant way that I did during my vacation? What would it sound like if instead of sitting in the shower listing all of the things I need to accomplish through the day, and all of the worries that I carry around, I replaced it with a tape that noted: Look at that vibrant daylight shining through my windows. It is so amazing that my muscles can so easily assist me out of bed. The water in my shower is safe and I can make it any temperature that suits me. The smell of the shampoo is so sweet. I have warm soft towels when I get out. I have a full set of healthy teeth to brush.” And this monologue could so easily extend beyond these first moments in the bathroom. For then I am greeted by three amazing children, a warm and comfortable home, a husband that I love, a refrigerator and pantry filled with food, and on and on we could go.
As I began to list these daily miracles I am struck by the fact that in fact in Judaism there are blessings for nearly every one of the wonders that I enumerated. Jewish tradition is filled with opportunities to notice and appreciate. Jews have blessings for our soul being returned to us each morning, for the ability to open our eyes, for the sun rising each morning, for eating, for having functioning bodies, and for so much more. Whether you believe in God or not, I believe that if we are taking the time to notice and appreciate some of the wondrous details of our lives, we are indeed living in a very Jewish way.
This Shabbat I encourage you to take a “wonder walk” with your children. And as you walk see if you can find as many things as possible that are special or beautiful – the shadows, the people, the sky, the noises … They are all worth noticing. But also take the time to put words to these noticings, as this can have the effect of enhancing the appreciation. In addition, when we say these things out loud, we make them more visible for our children, and hopefully we can model the important role of gratitude.
To notice does not require a special trip to a far away place. But I am grateful to have gone, for it reminded me what I can sound like when I am in fact expressing blessings throughout my day.
Shabbat Shalom,
Ilana
PS – If you would could use a jumpstart to get in touch with your sense of gratitude, I strongly encourage you to take a look at this TED talk by director, producer and cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg. I have already watched it several times this week! It is a 9-minute treat that you and your kids could actually enjoy. It is an exquisite visual experience and offers a great way to begin shabbat.
Ilana received her B.A. from Harvard College and a Master's Degree in Education from Bank Street College. She was born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and now lives there with her husband and three children.
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