Many of us are familiar with traditional gratitude practices, like keeping a journal where we list daily blessings or filling a jar with notes of appreciation to reflect on later. These consistent efforts to acknowledge the good things in our lives are widely celebrated in the wellness world, and for good reason: scientific evidence suggests gratitude significantly boosts mental well-being, strengthens relationships, and might even improve physical health.
I have developed my own profound gratitude ritual that’s so transformative, it almost makes me want to be grateful for gratitude itself! Yet, I often hesitate to share it, aware of the prevalent, almost clichéd “attitude of gratitude” messages that flood our social media feeds and adorn home decor. This valuable concept has, unfortunately, become so commercialized and oversimplified that it feels like there’s nothing fresh left to say, often devolving into a mere ‘platitude of gratitude.’
Recently, my personal practice has evolved into something far more intricate. It begins with a small, seemingly simple object – for example, a quirky deck of “wisdom cards” I consult each morning like a daily fortune cookie. From there, my thoughts branch out: I remember my generous and playful friend Melanie, who gifted me these cards, and how fortunate I am to have her in my life. But my connection to Melanie wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t co-taught creative writing at a summer program back in the 1990s. That teaching position wouldn’t have materialized without my friend Alden’s recommendation. And I wouldn’t have known Alden had I not attended graduate school with her – a path I embarked on only after the encouragement of my undergraduate writing professor. This chain of events continues backward, creating a fascinating tapestry of interconnected ‘if-then’ scenarios.
This exercise transforms gratitude into a captivating game, an exploration of the myriad causes and conditions that led to a specific blessing. It’s profoundly satisfying and utterly mystifying to witness the vast, improbable sequence of events required for something as simple as a deck of cards to enter my existence. While basic gratitude often centers on a singular connection (‘These cards bring me joy’), this expanded practice magnifies that feeling by revealing the complex web of interdependent factors at play.
Of course, this deeper form of gratitude isn’t a new invention. Concepts like Buddhist ‘dependent origination,’ the Jewish practice of ‘recognizing the good,’ and Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘inescapable network of mutuality’ all echo this profound truth: we are fundamentally interconnected, reliant on one another in countless ways. Yet, in our daily lives, we constantly forget this, overlooking the ripple effect of our actions and our own roles as links in someone else’s chain of blessings. This forgetfulness often leaves us feeling isolated and disconnected. To counteract this, simply choose one small thing you’re thankful for, then meticulously trace the beautiful, unlikely, yet undeniable series of events that brought it into your life. It might feel a bit sentimental initially, but the shift in perspective is truly powerful.
I’d genuinely love to hear your own stories of tracing gratitude through your personal histories. Please share your thoughts and experiences.
The Latest News
Latin America in Focus
- The U.S. has significantly escalated its military presence near Latin America, deploying an aircraft carrier, warships, and attack planes.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed additional strikes in the region, resulting in six fatalities and bringing the total to 43 deaths across 10 strikes.
- Critics highlight the White House’s lack of legal justification for these actions, questioning the limitations of presidential power, as Charlie Savage writes.
- Economic sanctions have been imposed on Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, following his criticism of the U.S. operations in the Caribbean.
More on Politics
- Trump announced a private $130 million donation from a “patriot” friend to assist troops during the government shutdown, equating to approximately $100 per service member.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges initiated by Trump’s appointed federal prosecutor in Virginia.
- The Justice Department will deploy election monitors to California and New Jersey, two states with significant upcoming elections.
Other Major Headlines
- Consumer prices saw a 3 percent increase in September year-over-year, influenced by recent tariffs.
- U.S. surveillance drones are monitoring the Gaza Strip to ensure adherence to the delicate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
- The F.D.A. has approved a new medication designed to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats for women experiencing menopause.
The Week in Culture
Film Highlights
- Critics praise “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” as a moving drama exploring a tumultuous period in Bruce Springsteen’s life, despite its fictional girlfriend plotline.
- A guide to what’s real and what isn’t in the Springsteen film highlights its largely factual basis with one notable fictional relationship.
- Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest, “Bugonia,” is described as a sad, rather than weird or funny, cinematic experience.
- A photographer embarked on a road trip to uncover the real-life California locations envisioned in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another.”
- Devon Sawa reflects on his “heartthrob era” from “Casper” and “Now and Then” films, three decades later.
Music Notes
- Taylor Swift’s new album continues her “Midas touch,” influencing cultural institutions from California aquariums to German museums.
- Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello has crafted a new musical in Chicago, featuring his songs and focusing on activist themes.
- The National Symphony Orchestra now begins all performances with the national anthem, a recent change under Trump’s influence at the Kennedy Center.
More Cultural Tidbits
- An exhibition at the Met Cloisters explores the enduring nature of human desire through medieval art depicting sexuality.
- Broadway successfully averted a potentially damaging strike, securing a union deal.
- “Keeper,” the new puzzle video game from the creators of Psychonauts, offers a “mind-blowing adventure” with fantastical art and creatures.
- Preschool TV shows are featuring surprisingly complex and “morally interesting” villains.
- The “Paranormal Activity” franchise makes a return, this time bringing its scares to the stage.
Culture Calendar
🎄 “Finding Mr. Christmas” (Monday, Hallmark Channel): Get an early start on holiday cheer with this reality show where ten hunks vie for a starring role in a Hallmark Christmas movie by competing in festive challenges like decorating ugly sweaters and cutting down trees.
Recipe of the Week
By Melissa Clark: Shrimp in Purgatory
Sarah DiGregorio’s “Shrimp in Purgatory” offers a clever twist on an Italian classic, substituting seafood for the traditional eggs. This 25-minute dish features a vibrant red sauce with roasted red peppers and capers, providing a tangy contrast to the sweet shrimp. It’s a spicy, garlicky, and tomato-rich option perfect for an elegant brunch or a festive dinner, best served with toasted bread and a choice of white wine or coffee.
Real Estate
- The Hunt: Follow a couple’s journey to find a home in Battery Park City for under $600,000, after ruling out the Upper East Side.
- What you get for… $3 million in New Zealand: Explore luxurious options including a steel-clad modernist house, an apartment with hotel-like amenities, or a sprawling lodge situated on five acres.
- Buzzy Décor: Wasp nests are becoming a surprising new interior design trend, with one collector owning over 150, considering them true art pieces.
Living Well
- Getting Dirty: Bartenders are pushing the boundaries of the classic martini, engaging in an “arms race” to create even brinier variations.
- Travel: Planning a trip to Miami? Our comprehensive guide uncovers hidden gems, from tranquil white-sand beaches to the city’s first skyscraper and an authentic Cuban-themed cocktail bar.
- Ask the Therapist: A reader seeks advice on coping with misery after relocating for their spouse.
Advice from Wirecutter
Mastering Secondhand Shopping
Discover the tangible and enjoyable benefits of shopping secondhand, a practice that demands patience, strategy, and a touch of luck. Wirecutter journalists, after extensive research, share invaluable tips for finding the best pre-owned tableware, designer clothing, and vintage furniture. Key advice includes setting clear goals (durability, repairability), identifying trustworthy sources, and recognizing true value to unearth hidden treasures amidst potential duds. — Katie Okamoto
Game of the Week
World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Los Angeles Dodgers are chasing a rare repeat championship, a feat not achieved in baseball for 25 years. Standing in their way are the Toronto Blue Jays, aiming for their first title since the early 90s. The Athletic’s preview highlighted a compelling matchup between the Dodgers’ high strikeout rate (nearly 25% of batters faced) and the Blue Jays’ remarkably low strikeout rate. In a decisive Game 1, Toronto emphatically won this battle, hitting a grand slam en route to an 11-4 victory.
Game 2 is tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox
Time to Play!
Challenge yourself with today’s Spelling Bee (yesterday’s pangrams were impediment and pediment).
Test your knowledge with our news quiz, covering this week’s top headlines.
And don’t miss today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections, and Strands.
Thanks for spending part of your weekend with The Times. — Melissa
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