When Giving Thanks is Difficult

Dear Friends,

As we know, holidays often bring with them an array of emotions, expectations, and experiences. On Thanksgiving the expectation, of course, is that we will be filled with gratitude, able to offer abundant thanks.

For some of us giving thanks will come easily this year and we will raise our cups in appreciation and delight. For others of us, gratitude might be difficult to reach and we will find ourselves filled with sadness and pain. There will probably also be moments of swaying between these emotions and experiencing gratitude and loss, joy and pain at the same time.

Something that might be helpful to remember is that in Hebrew the word for thanksgiving: hoda’ah also means acknowledgment. The practice of gratitude is not only about offering thanks. It is also a practice of presence.

It is a practice that says, I acknowledge this moment, I am present to this moment, whatever the moment contains.

This year as we approach Thanksgiving, I hope we can be kind and gentle toward ourselves and each other. I hope we can let compassion find and guide us.

When faced with the question, “What am I thankful for” let’s notice the sensations and emotions that arise.

When gratitude comes, may appreciation and joy nourish our hearts and souls. And when gratitude feels beyond our grasp let us be able to say:

I am present to…. …….the deep sorrow in my heart

I am aware of… …….. the grief I am experiencing

I acknowledge……….. a sense of loss.

Let our willingness to be present to the truths of the moment also be an offering that nourishes our hearts and souls.

Here are some prayers and practices to bring to this Thanksgiving holiday. May they offer guidance and support.

Wherever we find ourselves on Thanksgiving, may we receive strength and sustenance from being present to hamakom hazeh, this place, this moment.

Blessings,

Rabbi Yael Levy