Sometimes, life calls for simplicity.
Not a program. Not a plan.
Just a moment. A pause. A whisper of connection.
That’s what this quiet little article is about.
A Prayer You Don’t Have to Believe In
In a piece that first appeared in The New York Times, journalist Jodi Rudoren shared how the ancient Jewish mourning prayer called the Kaddish left her feeling… disconnected.
She knew the words. The melody. The ritual.
But she didn’t know how to pray.
That changed when a rabbi on a walk reframed prayer like this:
Wow. Please? Thank you.
Three simple words. One deeply human framework.
Why It Works for Mental Health
You don’t have to be religious to feel overwhelmed.
You don’t need a sanctuary to want comfort.
Sometimes mental wellness means:
- Slowing down long enough to notice beauty. (Wow.)
- Naming what you need. (Please.)
- Remembering what you already have. (Thank you.)
These aren’t just spiritual habits. They’re neural reset buttons.
Try It Now
Take 30 seconds.
Wow — What stirs wonder in you today? A tree? A heartbeat? Music?
Please — What do you need right now? Clarity? Rest? Strength?
Thank you — What are you grateful for? A meal? A laugh? A breath?
Do this every morning. Or before bed. Or when you’re stuck in traffic.
Say it to the sky, to yourself, or to something bigger.
This isn’t prayer with a capital P.
It’s a practice. A pause. A pocket of peace.
The Hopium Health Takeaway
Healing doesn’t always come from supplements or therapy.
Sometimes it starts with three soft words and the courage to say them.
Wow. Please? Thank you.
Keep this one close.
It works on hard days, quiet mornings, and uncertain nights.
It’s always available. And always enough.
Inspired by Jodi Rudoren’s original essay in The New York Times.
Used here with admiration, gratitude, and acknowledgment.
