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New Moon Chasing The Light: December 5th Los Angeles
I remember when gratitude journals became a trend around 2014. I was pregnant with Evie, and while I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, it was also mixed with fear. My body was changing in ways that felt uncomfortable, and I was filled with worry about the impending birth, all while carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. Fast forward nearly a decade, and some things have shiftedâI'm more in touch with my maternal instincts now, but if anything, I feel like I should be even more afraid than I was back then.
I recall one lunch during that time with a friend who absolutely loved being pregnant. She brought her gratitude journal with her, and I remember thinking, Is it possible to be that happy all the time? What water is she drinking that I'm not?
I know, I know. Gratitude is a mindset, something important to cultivate. But for many of us, it doesnât always feel natural, does it? It should be the lens through which we see the world, yet so many of us struggle with the basic concept of enoughness. I take comfort in knowing that Iâm not alone in this struggle, and that our ancestors understood that weâby natureâtend to shy away from gratitude rather than lean into it. In Judaismâs ancient wisdom, they built moments into our lives to help us pause and acknowledge what we have. Take Modeh Ani, for instance. It means, âI am grateful,â and itâs the very first prayer weâre meant to say when we wake up. As we open our eyes, there may be a thousand worries rushing in, but weâre instructed to begin the day by giving thanks. In essence, they created the original gratitude journal, recognizing that most of us are like me at that lunch table, hesitant and unsure.
A decade later, and itâs hard to believe, but Iâm now the person who brings a gratitude journal to lunch (not literally- donât worry, I am still me!). In fact, I even bring prompts to Thanksgiving every year (comment and share with your people!). This didnât happen overnight. It came about through consistent practice, despite my natural reluctance.
Many have been asking me, How on earth do we find gratitude in a year like this, when the world feels as though itâs on fire? The answer is as ancient as the wisdom of Judaism itself: precisely because the world is on fire, we need to fill our cups with the water of blessings that surround us.
So, this holiday week, however you celebrate, the invitation is to see that the effort to cultivate gratitude is always worthy, even in our reluctance. And if you're like me, perhaps you can use this prayer, which has been helping me each morning after Modeh Ani:âI am grateful in spite of everything that there is what to cherish and celebrate. I see that I am part of a collective that needs my spark to shine and that part of my shining is to see the tapestry of light that surrounds us all. I am grateful to be open my eyes to the wonder of life even in my reluctance and it is choosing gratitude that will help shift this world. Amen.â
Sending gratitude for you- yes you! With much love and care- let me know how they go!
Râ Tova
p.s. If you love the prompts below-please share them and this Substack with a friend!
Out of all of the delicious and beautiful items on this table, which one are you most grateful for in this moment and why?
What daily routine or ritual do you generally not want to do but ultimately feel grateful for once you complete the task?
Describe a moment of kindness that moved you this year.
Share what you appreciate about the person on your right. Now Your left.
What about today is better than yesterday?
If this last year were a chapter in a book what would the title be in relation to gratitude?
Share a moment Where you connected deeply with the majesty of this planet- where were you?
Who is someone outside of the folks at this table who has shaped you to being the person that you are today?
What are you grateful for?