Daily Rituals

As we close this book of gratitude rituals, we offer a blessing for you, inspired by the Blessing for Children we say on Shabbat evening. 

May you feel love and security wherever you go.

May you radiate with light and gratitude throughout your days.

May a spirit of amazement reside within you always, and may you find peace.

Some people find writing what they are grateful for in a journal helps them to be more mindful of where they can express their thanks in their daily lives. 

Here are a few questions to get you started:

• What is one simple joy or pleasure you have experienced in the past week? 
• Who is a person in your life that you are grateful for?
• What is something you are proud of? 
• Look out your door or window, what in nature makes you smile? 
• What is a tradition that has been supportive for you?

“If the only prayer you say throughout your life is “Thank You,” then that will be enough.”

• Elie Wiesel

“Whenever someone tells you that you’re supposed to hate the other - let your response be love. Only love.” 

• Rabbi Sarah Bassin 

“Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.”

• Mary Oliver 

“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”

- Abraham Joshua Heschel

“If the only prayer you say throughout your life is “Thank You,” then that will be enough.”

• Elie Wiesel

“Whenever someone tells you that you’re supposed to hate the other - let your response be love. Only love.” 

• Rabbi Sarah Bassin 

“Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.”

• Mary Oliver 

“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”

- Abraham Joshua Heschel

Our Jewish tradition invites us to find moments of gratitude everywhere. From the mundane but powerful experiences of eating and of waking up each morning, to witnessing the wonders of nature, reaching milestones and surviving difficult moments - there’s a Jewish way to reflect.

The following clips are sourced from: My Jewish Learning, Reform Judaism, and Sefaria (compiled)

This secular prayer is intended to celebrate the ordinary and cherished existence of the person who has died (rather than the celebration of faith to a deity). It is offered as a non-religious alternative to the traditional Kaddish prayer so that a secular person might recite it in good conscience, finding solace in reverence for life. 

We celebrate the spark which illuminates life and fades at death, and we accept this great mystery.

In this world that is created new with each sunrise, we open the robe of [   's] existence,

crafted of fabric woven from every ordinary day, with innumerable pockets sheltering all the

moments and purposes that comprise a full life. A robe embellished with joys and accomplishments, made shiny at the seat by sharing life's table, frayed at the cuffs by sorrows,

worn at the elbows from the labors of living.

May remembering [    ] be a blessing.

May the humor, common sense, and skills that [    ] honed in life remain a contribution to the family and the community. And may [   's] mistakes and challenges be remembered so that

the wisdom earned from their lessons learned will also stay with us. 

May remembering [    ] be a blessing.

In this world where [    ] learned, labored, and loved may their existence continue to radiate goodness, and may the things [    ] created be put to use and appreciated.

May remembering [    ] be a blessing.

May our hearts beat steadily together in the rhythm of life as we remember [    ] in the fullness of themself, and release [    ] now in love.   

May remembering [    ] be a blessing to all.

-by Dina Stander

Clip source: The Shomer Collective