Celebrate the Shehecheyanu Moments and give thanks

On this day before Thanksgiving (a U.S. holiday), let me share the concept of  Shehecheyanu Moments.

The Shehecheyanu is a prayer of thankfulness. Many Jews say the prayer immediately after the first time you do or experience something new and wonderful, or right after you experience it for the first time in a long time.

In my family, we call such occasions Shehecheyanu Moments. In English, the prayer roughly translates to, “Thank you, God, for giving me life, sustaining me, and letting me reach this season.”

Every single day, you do or see something new or new-ish, maybe sacred, maybe part of your daily life.

It might be seeing a new rainbow. It might be welcoming your adult son home after six months away. It might starting a job or landing a client. It might be installing a new battery and having the car start right up. It might be hearing goldfinches sing after a few months’ absence. It might be watching a baby bunny hop across the garden. It might be tasting an interesting wine varietal or flavor of herbal tea. It might be hugging friends this Thanksgiving you haven’t hugged since last Thanksgiving.

Treasure and acknowledge (even if only to yourself) those Shehecheyanu Moments. They truly sustain us, and teach that each and every day, life fills us with joy and blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!