The Shofar Is Silent, Remember to Breathe
6 min read
Five effective practices that help you notice your blessings and feel real gratitude for the people and good in your life.
Thanksgiving is almost here, and with it, the Black Friday hype, travel-day chaos, and nonstop noise about what to buy, fix, or rush to. What you hear far less about is how to build gratitude and truly notice the abundance on your table. These five habits can help you reset your focus on what Thanksgiving is really for: appreciating your blessings and the family you’re fortunate to share them with.
Even if they don’t wake up early, most grateful people have specific morning routines. Some sit and savor that first sip of coffee. Others pray or meditate. Some are deliberate about making their beds and opening the curtains to welcome light into their day. Others may exercise or read something uplifting.
The morning routines of grateful people often include a combination of these habits but the common thread is the same: a consistent, daily openness to—and appreciation of—a new day. Morning routines set a grateful tone for the day ahead and all its challenges.
Grateful people say “thank you” more often, and they don’t leave it vague. They’re specific.
They tell a colleague: “Your background on that client really helped me close this deal. Thanks for taking the time to share it.” They tell a spouse: “I really appreciate the delicious pasta—and that you picked up the kids. You made my tough day so much easier.”
They even tell a stranger, like a waiter: “Thank you for the great recommendation and for being so patient when it was crowded. You made our meal better.” That kind of detailed gratitude doesn’t just help the other person feel seen; it deepens the giver’s own sense of thankfulness, too.
Grateful people are more aware of death and loss, without negativity or bitterness. It reminds them that our time here is limited—and pushes them to make the most of it. Because they’re willing to face the fact that life is short, they savor both small and big blessings each day. They don’t assume they’ll have endless evenings to watch the sunset, so they pause to notice its beauty now.
Because they understand how easily time can slip away, they’re intentional about appreciating the moments they get with the people they love. Remembering that life is finite helps them stop taking it for granted.
Grateful people give more in all kinds of ways. Yes, they often donate to charity, but they also give their time, attention, and hard-earned wisdom. They don’t move through life feeling entitled; they’re more focused on what they can offer than on what they deserve. When they learn something new, they’re eager to share it. When a chance to volunteer comes up, they step in gladly, grateful to be in a position to help.
Even if they can’t give money to a cause they care about, they look for other ways to contribute, remembering there’s always someone with less. And when someone shows them kindness—whether it’s a heartfelt compliment or a stranger holding the door—they make a point of paying it forward. For grateful people, giving isn’t a burden; it’s a way of saying thank you for what they’ve been given.
You may not always find grateful people in the gym, but you will find them moving. They’re the ones who dash into the yard to play catch with the kids, or suggest a walk in the park just to be outside. When they travel, they’re often the first to jump into a lake or the ocean, even if swimming isn’t their favorite thing, because they don’t want to miss a chance to feel fully alive.
Grateful people move more and try things sooner because they know action wakes up appreciation. And when they take a walk, they often turn it into a “gratitude walk,” reflecting on the gifts in their lives while noticing the beauty around them. Staying active helps them engage with the world and savor more of it.
Thanksgiving is a chance to pause and notice our many blessings—and the priceless gift of the people we share them with. It’s a moment of hakarat hatov, recognizing the good that fills our lives. Incorporating these habits of grateful people into your life will heighten your joy and appreciation of the abundance you have in your life.
Outstanding thank you!
When I wake up, I SMILE, consciously. Then I say Mode Ani, and remember five things to be grateful, simple things, of the previous day. It really improves your life.