A meaningful way to “count your blessings” right before Thanksgiving

There are a couple of times during the year when I mentally stop, take a deep breath and pause. The first is the Jewish New Year, when we have the wonderful opportunity to have a fresh start – a reset to think about what we wish to happen and how we wish to feel in the upcoming year. (There have even been some years that I’ve created a vision board). The second time during the year is right now – right before the fall holiday Thanksgiving. But instead of thinking about what I wish I could bring into my life, I think about the present - what is happening here and now - and take some time to be grateful for all blessings in my life.

Something that is really beautiful about Judaism, is that everyday, we have an opportunity to pause and be grateful. It’s even written in the Talmud that a person should say 100 blessings every day. In Hebrew, the word for blessing is a bracha. There are brachot (blessings) for so many moments that happen throughout the day - for waking up, eating, for seeing rainbows and blossoming trees and celebrating something for the very first time. Blessings and gratitude can also be extremely personal, something only you know, that’s acknowledged deep in your heart.

Like for so many, this year has been difficult and full of challenges. I thought that before this Thanksgiving, it would be nice to stop for a few hours to remind myself that I am surrounded by blessings. To make it feel more tangible, I made a 100 blessings necklace with a nod to the Talmud’s 100 blessings a day. Each bead on my necklace is connected with a blessing, something I am grateful for and something that is meaningful to me.

If you have a few hours, or few minutes each day, you can make your own 100 blessing necklace. I love the simplicity of this necklace - just a cord and small wood beads secured on each side with a knot. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

100 Blessings Necklace

Supplies:

100 - 4 MM wood beads
12 feet hemp cord
2 threading needles
1 barrel jewelry fastener
Charm (optional)
Scissors

Here’s how to make it:

1. Start by measuring out 12 feet of hemp cord and attach a threading needle to each end of the cord. It is a lot of cording, but for this necklace, it’s better to have a too much cording than not enough. The cording will shrink as you tie all the knots to secure each bead.

2. Find the center of your cord and tie a knot. Then thread one bead through one needle and place it against the knot you just tied.

3. Secure your bead with another knot. This is your first knot-bead-knot trio. Remember to attach a blessing - something you are grateful for - to each bead as you securely tie it with the knots.

3. Use the tip of your finger to make a little space to the right of knot-bead-knot trio, and begin a new trio of knot-bead-knot. Afterward, repeat this same pattern to the left of your center knot-bead-knot trio. Use the needles to alternate the trios on each side of cord, remembering to mentally attach a blessing to each bead.

4. Tying all the knots was a slow process for me, but it gave me an opportunity to be really mindful of all I am grateful for. When you are done with all your knot-bead-knot trios, you should have 50 beads on each side of the cord. My finished length is 56 inches. Attach a barrel bead with a knot to end of each strand of cord (right where your last trio ends) and snip the excess cording with your scissors.

5. If you’d like, you can add a charm with extra cording or a jump ring to anywhere on the necklace. Since it’s almost Hanukkah, I decided on this little menorah in hopes that these blessings will stay present with me and make my Hanukkah shine with extra love and light.

It feels pretty special to have this finished 100 blessing necklace. When I slipped it on, I decided to say one last blessing = the Shehecheyanu. It’s a blessing to say when you’ve experienced something special for the first time.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam,

shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.

It took some time to make the necklace, but each time I wear it, I hope it will remind to be grateful of all the blessings in my life. Children can experience making a simpler version of a 100 blessing necklace by clicking here.

We have more special activities for Thanksgiving like a cute edible baby turkey food craft, and for Hanukkah - edible cookie menorah, Hanukkah sufganiyot (mini doughnuts) and Hanukkah Chef hats! We wish you a Thanksgiving filled with blessings.