I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving Day and is now in the recovery zone. Maybe you’re watching football, cheering for your team or simply enjoying the background noise of the game. Maybe you’re streaming a cheesy Hallmark movie or a romcom, finding comfort in those predictable storylines with just the right mix of shmaltz and tears to keep you tied in. You may be huddled under a blanket, sitting by a fire, feeling that deep contentment that comes with simple moments. You might be reading a novel, lost in another world, or scrolling through emails or texting a friend who’s far away, sharing virtual hugs and “wish you were here” messages.
At some point you’ll take a nap and chill out – it’s almost mandatory after all that tryptophan! The beauty of this long weekend is in its unhurried pace, the permission we give ourselves to slow down and simply be. Hopefully you’ll have access to some leftovers and luxuriate in the long weekend, discovering that sometimes turkey sandwiches taste even better the next day, especially with a little cranberry sauce and maybe stuffing.
We’ll be zooming Shabbat, and I hope you’ll come online to join me. We’ve found new ways to create sacred space together, to bridge the physical distances that separate us. There’s a lot to be grateful for, and nothing is so good for the soul as thanking God for it all. The act of gratitude itself is transformative, lifting our spirits and opening our hearts to the abundance that surrounds us.
And if you’re an atheist, or simply not sure where you stand when it comes to the Holy One, it still can do your heart a world of good to stop and consider where you stand right now – alive, aware, appreciated. Gratitude doesn’t require a specific belief system; it’s a universal human experience that connects us to something larger than ourselves, whether that’s community, nature, or the simple miracle of consciousness.
In the meantime, the next time you stand up to get some leftovers or a diet Coke from the fridge, walk by someone and just spontaneously give them a hug or a kiss or whatever passes as a comfortable expression of love and appreciation. Just because. Because life is short and surprising, and you never know what your last show of love and thanks will be.
Make it work. Make it last. Let these moments of connection and gratitude extend beyond the holiday weekend. Let them become habits that enrich our daily lives. In doing so, we create a ripple effect of appreciation and love that extends far beyond our immediate circle, touching lives in ways we might never know.
Before Shabbat 