BS’D

 A different set of the four questions

You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you today…. It’s the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness.

Maybe we would get this if we saw today as the first day of our life—or our last. Today will never be repeated. It it is unique among all the days of your life. Gratitude can transform into something to be remembered.

A great way to bring things that you’re grateful for to the forefront of your mind is by asking yourself questions.  At the end of each day, ask yourself the following four questions:

• What touched me today?
• Who or what inspired me today?
• What made me smile today?
• What’s the best thing that happened today?

For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D

Sometimes we are the recipients of miracles that we don’t even know about.

Consider this scenario: A little child is outside playing on the sidewalk. His ball rolls into the street. As he runs after it, he doesn’t notice the car that just turned the corner zooming towards him. The driver slams on his breaks, just in time (thank G-d). While the driver is almost hysterical with an awareness of the terrible accident that was just averted, the child is oblivious and runs inside happily. When his mother asks him about his day, the child tells her about the fun time he had playing with his ball. Neither the child nor the mother know about or appreciate what a major blessing it is that the child is safe, healthy, and alive.

At times, we are each that child and that mother. We are protected from things that we don’t even know about. Let’s take a moment to give thanks for the blessings and protection we receive that we don’t even realize.

By Yael Zvia Bauer

For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D

Modeh Ani

In Jewish tradition, we start each day with the words, Modeh Ani, – which means “Gratefully, I thank.” The first words we are meant to say, before we even wipe the sleep from our eyes or get out of bed are words of gratitude. Before all of the activity of the day begins, with all its ups and downs – we have the opportunity for a quiet inner moment of connection and appreciation.

Even if this is not your normal practice, try it tomorrow. Begin your day with a moment of gratitude. With the recognition that today is a gift. That my soul was returned to my body is a blessing, and waking up this morning is not to be taken for granted. And if this is already how you start today, make an effort tomorrow to deepen your intention as you begin your day with words of gratitude.

By Yael Zvia Bauer

For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D

Things You Take For Granted.

Imagine losing some of the things that you take for granted, such as your home, your ability to see or hear, your ability to walk, or anything that currently gives you comfort. Then imagine getting each of these things back, one by one, and consider how grateful you would be for each and every one.

Here are some quotes that teach us some amazing insights into not taking life for granted:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

“Never take someone you love for granted. Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.”

“Never fail to appreciate someone who cares for you. Just because they’re always in your life to help in some way, never fail to give thanks or recognition. To value someone or something too lightly is a risk no one should take.”

For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D

Morning Coffee Gratitude

One of the best ways to start your day off right is to spend a few minutes thinking of all the things that you’re grateful for. If you’re worried about finding the time to do this, or finding a way to remember to give thanks each morning, tie your morning gratitude session to your morning cup of coffee.

While you’re having your first cup of coffee, sit back and think of the things that you’re thankful for. You can even start out by feeling gratitude for the following:

• The warmth of the coffee mug you’re holding;
• The aroma of the coffee;
• That first sip of coffee;
• The beautiful morning;
• The beginning of a new day full of promise;
• The quiet just before the day officially starts.

Make it a grateful day!  Thank you Hashem 🙂 🙂  Good Shabbos!

For no particular reason but to say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D
 

When we express appreciation to our children we give them a sense of significance; this appreciation is one of the cornerstones of connecting to our children. Acceptance of our kids tells them that their being matters. Expressing our appreciation to them says that their doing matters too. Appreciation gives people a sense of significance — feeling that they are valued and that their accomplishments do make a difference to someone.

Parents should show appreciation for their children not only for the sake of their children’s self-esteem, but for improving discipline in the home as well. The more you praise your children for what they are doing right, the less you have to criticize and discipline them for doing something wrong. Many parents struggle with finding the right words to say or knowing what to praise.

It isn’t a matter of not being able to find things to appreciate about your kids; it’s about disciplining yourself to speak up and tell your kids what you see — to give them honest praise for their effort. Some practical examples:

* “Thank you for getting your homework done on time.”
* “I appreciate it when you take your dirty dishes to the sink after we eat.”
* “Thank you for putting the car in the garage for me without being asked.”
* “I appreciate you for spending time with your little sister when you wanted to be out with your friends.”

Honestly accepting them for who they are is necessary to their well-being as it makes them feel secure and comfortable for who they are.

For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D
 

Fighting for Happiness/Gratitude
 
In the month of Adar, we have a mitzvah to be happy. How can we be commanded to be happy? Isn’t happiness an emotion that’s out of our control? Don’t we often think: “If this was different, or if had that [fill in your own thing], I would be happy – but, how can I be happy when I’m dealing with…?”
 
Adar comes to teach us – happiness is not a result of our external circumstances. Those are often out of our control. Happiness is created in our attitude. What are we choosing to focus on? Even in every challenge – no matter how big or small – there is some kernel of good. We need to look for it. If we can work hard to look for the good in our lives, if we really try to find the blessings – we will awaken within ourselves that natural, intuitive, real inner happiness.
 
However, we still need to be real – and give ourselves space and permission to talk out our challenges, to garner up resources and support, to feel our pain, and even to kvetch a little when we are cranky.
 
But, at the same time, to also find that point of good.
 
I once heard in a Torah class that the mitzvah to be happy doesn’t necessarily mean to walk through life singing and dancing with a huge smile on your face. If you can, and that’s real for you – awesome. But, sometimes it means – to fight for the happiness. It’s often not easy. Life throws us all sorts of challenges and ahrdships that are real. But in our revolution, let’s fight to see the good, let’s fight to cultivate gratitude, and, in doing so, let’s fight to awaken the happiness in our lives.
 
Happy Purim!
For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’

BS’D

Creating a culture of gratitude
 
Let’s create a culture of gratitude – within ourselves, our families, our homes, our communities, in the world. Imagine if we lived in a world where people focused more energy on giving thanks and feeling appreciation rather than on complaining. Imagine what life would be like if we lived with gratitude glasses that saw the little miracles in our everyday lives – rather than entitlement lenses that focused on what we lack. 

Gratitude practice begins by paying attention. Notice all the good things you normally take for granted. Did you sleep well last night? Did someone at work or on the street treat you with courtesy? Have you caught a glimpse of the sky, with its sun and clouds, and had a moment of peace? It also involves acknowledging that difficult and painful moments are instructive and you can be grateful for them as well. Directing our attention this way blocks feelings of victim-hood. Changing the world begins with changing ourselves.

For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’