On Thanksgiving weekend, there is lots of discussion and conversation about the many benefits of being thankful. Studies have shown that being thankful comes with lots of health and other benefits, including having healthier relationships, better self esteem, healthier living and so much more.
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of trying to be thankful every day, and not just limiting it to once or twice a year. Experts have suggested that a simple thing like taking the time to count your blessings in life before you go to sleep, instead of counting your sheep, can have incredible benefits on one's mindset.
In Judaism, being thankful is ingrained in our tradition and way of life. There are a plethora of teachings about being happy and grateful with what you have, which have become an essential part of Jewish living and outlook. The sages in the Ethics of our Fathers taught a very famous teaching as to "Who is a wealthy person?", with the response being not an amount of wealth, rather "an attitude of being grateful for what one has in life", is the definition of wealth.
Likewise in daily Jewish living, as we start our day and get out of bed each morning, we begin with a twelve word sentence each morning with the words Modeh Ani,in which we say thank you to G-d for having given us another day to live and be productive in this world.
Right as we prepare to take on another day in our lives, we begin by saying thank you to G-d for first and foremost the gift of being alive and for having the opportunity to be a part of making a difference to this world for another day. This certainly sets the tone and helps us hopefully get out of bed on the right side and have a healthy attitude as we begin another day.
In addition, before we even take a bite to eat, we stop and say a blessing and acknowledge our gratefulness for the blessings we have been bestowed with in life.
There are so many other opportunities, but these just represent a few of them.
Let's count our blessings and be grateful and utilize the abundance of healthy living opportunities that Judaism provides us with, which both connect us with G-d and enhance our personal wellbeing in the process.
Shabbat Shalom & Happy Thanksgiving Weekend