We woke up this morning to a fresh, new day; a fresh, new month; a fresh, new year.
“Modeh ani lefanechah….” Thank you G-d for returning my soul to me. Thank you for another day, another month, another year. Filled with the blessings of hope, of opportunity, of room for growth. A brand new beginning……
  The Hebrew word “modeh,” the first word we traditionally say each day, emanates from the root Yud, dalet, hay. Although it is normally translated to mean gratitude, it also implies praise, acknowledgment, admittance and surrender.
  One of my teachers taught that G-d is the place/space for us to direct our gratitude. This year promises so much, let’s approach it by starting with gratitude. Before setting intentions or resolutions, let’s purposely focus on what we’re thankful for. Make a gratitude list, dig deep, reach far, and once you’ve found the blessings in your life, then look to where you’d like to grow. Set intentions and resolutions that are within your reach. A little movement in the right direction, or small success is better than a huge disappointment or failure.
  Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote that we should “get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted.” Let’s be aware of every blessing, every moment of beauty, every smile or hug that comes our way. Let’s express our thanks and awe as we ground ourselves in positivity, attract good tidings and launch into a wondrous 2021.
SUE PENNÂ is a contributing writer to JLife Magazine.Â
