Tomorrow is when many people will be gathered around the table with family and/or friends. It isn’t uncommon for everyone at the table to proclaim something that they are thankful, which is a beautiful touch for the occasion.
What I want to stress for this day, and every day of our lives, is the Zen of giving thanks (being grateful). It may sound strange at first, and feel extremely strange when you start doing it but stick with it. It will keep a smile on your face and a lightness in your heart all year. You don’t have to be dramatic or take any extra time doing this. Just being aware.
Be grateful for everything that you touch today, and every day forward. Setting a table is a great place to start, or washing dishes. Think about the dishes as you place or wash them for serving you and those around you. Think about the silverware, the glasses, the plates, the pots and pans that you prepare the food in…
All of these small utensils that we use almost every day of our lives have and will continue to serve us in the ways that are truly important to us. Everything from clothing to coffee cups are things that make our lives easier and more enjoyable.
It won’t take long before you begin to see that even in times when we start to lose hope, we truly have so many things for which to be grateful. Many of these things go beyond what is necessary to live.
In just the last five minutes I have walked to the coffee maker (grateful for the machine that brews the beverage that I adore), poured coffee into my coffee mug (grateful for the mug to hold the beverage that I adore) and sat at the table (thank goodness I don’t have to sit on the floor and have a place to work on my computer), and typed on my computer (grateful for a computer), and put on a jacket to cut the chill (thank you jacket for keeping me warm).
It does feel strange when you begin doing this, but I promise you that if you try it you will see just how full our lives are with wonderful, helpful things.
May every day of your lives be Thanksgiving!
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