Maggid: Dayenu
Before you complete the challenge, read the text below. This is the way.
Gratitude rejoices with her sister, joy, and is always ready to light a candle and have a party. Gratitude doesn’t much like the old cronies of boredom, despair, and taking life for granted.
- Reb Nachman of Bratslav (18th-19th Century Hasidic leader)
The repeated verses of Dayenu - a long list of historical things for which we’re grateful - are a mindful meditation that can protect against the boredom, despair, and taking life for granted that Reb Nachman warns about. After each verse, we sing dayenu - “it would have been enough!” It’s often not enough to just want to be emotionally grateful; we have to actively cultivate an attitude of gratitude through practices, rituals, and greater awareness.
Activity: Gratitude
First, set a timer for 90 seconds.
Start writing a list of seemingly little things others have done for you for which you’re grateful:
In the past day?
In the past week?
In the past month?
In the past year?
Collect 2 points for each item on your list.
Collect an additional 1 point for texting a friend and asking what they’re grateful for, for up to 4 friends.
Collect an additional 3 points for each reply message you receive! Stop adding points once you cross the finish line - if they haven’t replied by then, it doesn’t count!