Gratitude on Mother’s Day

Everything I need is already within my life. I’ve come to understand that when I slow down, become still, and truly stay present, I can see the abundance that surrounds me every single day. It feels like each of us is a quiet, flowing channel—one that opens when we stop chasing, stop worrying, and trust that we already have enough.
I’ve learnt that when I release expectations, let go of complaints, and stop trying to control every outcome, something beautiful happens. Life begins to unfold on its own. Not because we demanded it, but because we allowed it.
When I no longer dwell on the past or feel the need to predict the future, I find myself resting in the joy of being fully here, fully alive in this moment.
I am deeply grateful for my four incredible sons. Every day, they are my blessings. But especially on Mother’s Day, I feel that gratitude even more profoundly. This year, my heart feels especially full as I celebrate a new and beautiful gift: my grandson, Benny. Becoming a grandmother is a joy beyond words. It is, simply put, grand.
I’ve learned that if we develop an attitude of gratitude, we notice even the small things—the quiet miracles that fill each day. Waking up in the morning with the Mode Ani and offering a prayer of thanks for another day that I get to receive so much goodness and give it back to others in return. Enjoying nourishing, beautiful, colorful fruit and vegetables, being able to see the beauty of nature surrounding me, having meaningful friendships, loving family, and the unique God-given gifts I’ve been blessed with. These are the treasures that remind me how rich my life truly is.
As Zig Ziglar said, Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.
Wishing you a Mother’s Day filled with love, joy, and deep gratitude.
Naomi Young has been a teacher in Santa Clarita for over 43 years, with experience in Jewish studies and bar/bat mitzvah training. She is also a seasoned writer and multimedia artist. You can reach her via email at naomiyoung7@yahoo.com or explore her creative endeavors on her website, www.naomiyoung.com