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A Space for Thanksgiving

Posted on By : Shelly
Picture by Elliott Chau

I’ll be out of range of all computers, iPhones, and internet next week (how glorious!) for a fun family trip up the mountain during Thanksgiving. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Turkey (or tofu) day!

Maybe it’s ‘tis the season, but I’ve had gratitude on my mind…a lot! I’ve been curling up with it and inviting it into my thoughts, like a good old friend on a cold day.

We sip tea and chat about the state of the world. “A disaster”, I yell. “Horrendous and defeating! I’m quite blue”, I sob.

“Yes,” replies gratitude. “I see the pain etched in your eyes and hear the deep sadness behind your words. Honor that space. Stay with it a bit, if you need to. That is okay. Life can be quite arresting, at times”.

I sigh into that space. I breathe and honor this moment. Thank you, dear gratitude.

“But do not stay there”, she continues. “Don’t get stuck with it. Don’t stop moving.”

She giggles at the sunflower, and I cannot help but smile, myself.

“Remember, gratitude gets you moving and keeps you going…always”.

Dear friend, thank you for that reminder. Thank you for letting me feel without judgement, but also for reminding me to keep moving, to keep going!

Dear reader, stop and breathe with me. Take a lovely deep and nourishing yoga breath, a cleansing breath that is rich, authentic, and yes, joyful.

Today I am grateful for:

  • My child
  • Hot coffee on a cold day
  • A real wood fireplace
  • Income to pay bills
  • Writing
  • My hard-working husband
  • A mom who loves me to the moon and back
  • Family
  • A dear (also hard-working) and supportive little brother who always has my back
  • Nieces filled with laughter, joy, and oh, so-much-sass!
  • A sister-in-law who will always be a dear sister
  • Sunrises
  • Early morning quiet
  • Yoga
  • Books and reading
  • Evergreen trees that shine during the cold winter months
  • Snow days!
  • Peacemakers

My list could go on. And on. And on.

And that’s the beauty of gratitude, once you grab on, it doesn’t let you go. It pulls you up, out, and into the light.

Dear reader, take time to create your own list. That is my call to action for you. Write it down. Imagine it in your head. Record it. Whatever it takes!

And here’s the real kicker: do it daily!

Yes. Daily.

I promise that once you take gratitude’s hand, she won’t let go. (She’s sassy that way!)

Let us all strive to make the world a better place. What a lovely way to spend Thanksgiving, don’t ya think?

Peace.