Voices for WRJ: Giving Thanks

Picture a day filled doing a few activities you enjoy and seeing the wonderful people in your life in a special location. With our busy lives, we can’t always do what we want, but we can set aside time to practice feeling grateful. As Ricki Oleon referenced in last week’s Voices, I also participated in the recent WRJ Pacific District convention in Portland, Oregon called, “Lech L’cha, The Journey Continues.” We enjoyed many sessions such as inspirational Shabbat services, Succession Planning and Finding Your Words through Prayer Writing. The evening continued with Mahjong, movie night or Voodoo Donuts. We were enjoying special people in our lives, in a beautiful location participating in some meaningful activities. We were feeling amazingly grateful! They say just spending some time, perhaps on Shabbat, either writing in a journal or noting activities or people for whom we are grateful is the greatest path to better health. Covenant of the Heart, prayers from WRJ, speaks to the subject of thanks in this section of one of its prayers, “Prayers of Thanks” (p. 53, 1999):

 “We never cease to marvel at the beauty which only You can create, the freshness and new growth of spring, the colorful bloom of summer, the brilliance of autumn, and the silent whiteness of winter.

 We thank You also for our existence in all this loveliness for only through guidance from You can we appreciate it.”

Why does such a simple thing as feeling grateful get such a huge benefit? Can we all do this practice and experience greater well-being? When I begin to reflect upon the activities and people for whom I am thankful, I immediately think of the friendships and relationships I have developed within WRJ. Our sisterhoods and these conventions provide us fantastic opportunities to connect with others with vitality and enthusiasm. We cherish the meaningful work of WRJ and are inspired by the speakers and clergy. There is an opportunity to experience another synagogue’s Shabbat service, spiritual surroundings, and prayer. We become a community in which we feel deeply connected to each other. How can we bring this practice into our daily lives? How do we continue to live in more meaningful ways? I found the answers to these questions and more in taking the time to reflect on what is important to me; I discovered a feeling of appreciation. I am grateful for the women and the connections I have made within my sisterhood and the WRJ community. I urge you to take the time to reflect, to feel grateful and to attend a WRJ event to experience this same connection. Two upcoming opportunities include the Fried Leadership Conference, January 25-27, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the WRJ 49^th Assembly and Biennial, December 11-15 in San Diego, California. It is through the connections developed at these gatherings that make our lives sweeter while we continue our important work. May the light of the Shabbat candles brighten all our lives. Michele Katz is a WRJ Board Member and member of Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame, CA.