As the American holiday of thanksgiving approaches I must admit I’ve always felt conflicted about the celebration itself and historically what it actually led to for the Native American community….a community that was displaced from its own land and made to feel foreign in its own home. I’ve always thought about how colonization effected them and then took my ancestors and brought us to a foreign land as slaves to build a country that our slavery was integral in creating what would become the most “powerful” country in the world. Know at times we feel foreign in our own home. I can see the connection to these two ethnic communities and how those vibes still haunt this land mass and reverberate world wide though occurring hundreds of years ago.
Even through all of those conflicted thoughts of mine I chose love and to frame that “reality” differently. So while I’m still not some huge proponent of what is greatly ignored about this holiday, I’ve immersed myself in daily thanksgiving at a table of soul brothers and sisters who see through the physical appearances and attempt to live and love from a place beneath these skin and bones…. From our true essence which is light and love. Very utopian thought but we do it here daily so it gives me faith that this world can find its way towards daily thanksgiving which will allow us to treat one another better and love optimistically through the framing of gratitude versus the pessimistic fear based lens dominating our world. One love.
P.S. It’s called “white man’s burden” I think. So pervasive that there’s a theory about it. Personally, I prefer to be color blind.
I am grateful for miracles big and small. They keep happening around me. If I stop for a moment and appreciate them, I can see that they are things I’ve prayed for or thought a lot about. But sometimes you get a miracle that is a complete surprise, and even though it is small, it has the potential to change your life. And do you know what? each of us can be a miracle worker. I seem to be more in tune with love that is within me.
And for getting to know a woman that I know will forever be my best friend, and won’t let me down; a woman with a unique funny and dark sense of humor, with dreams and insecurities but a wonderful being altogether… ME!
Also grateful for breathing again, for conscious choices, making them every moment knowing that only I can decide to give away my power. And for being a grounded person.
May we all be well. May we all have peace. May we all be safe.
Today, grateful for another cooler day which is more enjoyable to have my morning walks.
Grateful that an impromptu encounter with acquaintances led to many jokes and laughs, we all needed it.
Grateful that I was able to listen to and comfort a friend, nice to have real conversations, that someone who is normally guarded feel comfortable to open up and share some painful things, grateful to feel useful, grateful to have cheered someone up. Paying it forward is the always the best way.
Grateful that everything is not easy. That I am challenged every day with meaningful work for the sick people.
That I enjoy what I do and have passionate people around me. Grateful that I can lead or I can follow, which ever is needed.
Grateful for the exchanges of loving kindness with my sangha.
Just grateful really.
Today, I’m grateful for cooler weather but still nice enough to walk to my local cafe for some coffee.
Grateful for a more productive day full of joy. I had been procrastinating on cleaning up my desk. Today, I committed to doing it and many other things and it is done. Making a commitment I can keep has become a part of my spiritual journey. I truly try to make only commitments I believe I can keep. It is not about ego and shining anymore, but about being of service to life and mankind.
And I am being content and so very, very blessed to live this human life and experience it in the manner I do… the joy I feel is beyond my wildest imagination, so flippin’ grateful. Thank you dear Universe.
Xo
Today I’m GRATEFUL for the following beautiful quote that I’d like to share:
My primary relationship is with myself, all others are mirrors of it. As I learn to love myself, I automatically receive the love and appreciation that I desire from others. I I am committed to myself and living my truth, I will attract others with equal commitment. My willingness to be intimate with my own deep feelings, creates the space for intimacy with another. As I learn to love myself, I receive the love I desire from others.
~ Shakti Gawain
It is through my meditation that I understand the beautiful meaning and truth behind this quote. And this really spoke to me today.
I’m grateful for my faith in love and my creator. If we truly believe that love conquers all…. Why fret over things we are led to believe we can control but in reality we can’t. Why do we allow the charge of purposely divisive processes like the political game in the West take away our true essence which is peace and love. I read everywhere and was around so many people yesterday who have just allowed fear to dominate their being. In my opinion, neither of the presidential candidates were going to lead the American public to some supposed promised land. Both have major blemishes and things one could be fearful of.
What I saw and have read yesterday from posts all over social networks and people who I came across with, reminds me of stories in Matthew and Luke about Jesus.
"24: And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25: And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26: And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.“
Love prevails, have faith, control what you can control, don’t be charged by divisive techniques, and don’t let anything take your peace away. Remember we are one and there is only one. And we include whoever you disagree with politically or otherwise.
It feels to me like folks are grieving, some in a healthy way and some in a not so healthy way. My prayer is that there be unity and no matter what our political views are, we can see and meet each other in the eye as human beings. We take into account that people aren’t labels, but encompass a fuller story.
P.S. Trump represents our fears, and focusing on love and peace instead is the way we rebuke this fear that the bible calls waves.
Funny… my teacher used to call them waves too. Small waves, rolling waves, big waves, tidal waves. I get what she meant now.
Xo
Today, I am grateful for the beauty and peace that I’ve found in the gift of stillness
Stillness is different from solitude, different from loneliness, different from turning off the TV, or stereo or speaking softly.
Stillness is a place you can find it in the desert or in the mountains. You can find it when you’re alone or when you’re in the midst of peace. You can find stillness wherever you are, whatever you’re going through. Stillness is a place within you. Slow down. Breathe deeply. Get quiet. Become familiar with stillness. Take time to learn its power.
From that place of stillness, the right action will emerge and you will find your next step. From that place of stillness, you can move into the present moment. There you will find your power, and there God will find you.
~ Melody Beattie
It is simple for me today:
Grateful for my cup of coffee.
Grateful for gratitude.
Grateful for the shining, bright skies.
Grateful for the silence over flowing my now empty cup.
Grateful.
This quiet morning. The quiet is overwhelmingly peaceful, burrowing deep inside me that it’s almost making me weep.
Aware that there’s chaos in the world outside, and that same time and space, peace where I am in my little spot. Knowing that this peace is just a step back for anyone experiencing inner conflicts instead of peace, a step back since chaos and peace interpenetrate each other.
Sitting here for a while in awe and wonder, to listen to nature’s music and mine, hoping that all my dear family and friends are feeling this peace in their hearts too. So be it.
Grateful for today is my birthday, reached this age in a very health state, even with minor aches and pains, grateful even, for it is with this physical pains that I become mindful of my body.
I am grateful for words and that I can find them when I need or want to express myself.
I am grateful for the healing time that brings especially when J and I hit a rough patch or having a tough ride in this so called life.
I am grateful for not using words sometimes as that practice often makes the way easier or heals relationships, friendships, and connections.
I am grateful that almost the first thing that I saw this morning was a beautiful sunrise and the thought that I can always choose HOPE.
I am grateful for my heart and that I am who I am. I have my imperfections for sure but now, I know I am more than my imperfections.
I am grateful that my response this morning after I learned the election results was that I will continue to live life as I always do, treating others as I wish to be treated – with love, dignity, and kindness.
I am grateful for my family’s love for me and my love for them, for faith, friendships, belief, hope and always for grace.
