If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.
~Meister Eckhart
Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. I mean, a whole day dedicated to gratitude -- what could be better than that? I know not everyone remembers that aspect of this holiday, choosing instead to focus on football and turkey. And don't get me wrong, the holiday "trimmings" do play their part. But for me, it is always such a great opportunity to remember what all I am grateful for.
Today that gratitude begins with my family of choice, those friends who have been more than just friends, who have been such a deep support system that they've become family. My mom and I started celebrating Thanksgiving with friends of ours about 20 years ago. We've all moved around a lot during those 20 years, and managed to continue the holiday tradition in many different locations over the years, but now we find ourselves together again living within 40 miles of each other. I am truly grateful to be celebrating Thanksgiving "old school" this year, with this very important subset of my family of choice.
There are so many things I find myself grateful for today that I've put together an ABC's of gratitude. Not only was it fun, but it encouraged me to explore my gratitude in a different way, enabling me to enjoy the surface and yet go a little deeper with it. Give it a try yourself and see how it goes. Namaste.
Autumn beauty Being peaceful, powerful, and playful Connection with Source Dancing and drumming Expanding consciousness Family and friends Grounded Having my mom and Bonnie & Clyde (her cats) nearby Intuitive insight Joyful noise Knowledge and understanding Love and laughter with my husband Morgan and Gryphon (my cats) Nature in all its glory Opportunities on the horizon Power animals Quiet time to just be Release of the past Shamanic journeying circle Trust in my inner wisdom Urban Dog Walkers Vision Women helping me to connect to my divine feminine eXcitement and passion for life Year of exploration Zeppelin in the sky (I want to take a ride!)
Photo: "Autumn orange," originally uploaded by Jurek Durczak
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Gratitude Day!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Seeking the Source
It's been an upside-down and inside-out kind of month. With Thanksgiving approaching, I'm choosing to follow the wisdom of Rumi and seek my Source, relaxing back into Who I Am and what is truly important to me. It's a time for reflection and for connection. Enjoy the process. Namaste.
Seeking the Source
by Jelaluddin Rumi
a voice out of this world
calls on our souls
not to wait any more
get ready to move
to the original home
your real home
your real birth place
is up here with the heavens
let your soul take a flight
like a happy phoenix
you've been tied up
your feet in the mud
your body roped to a log
break loose your ties
get ready for the final flight
make your last journey
from this strange world
soar for the heights
where there is no more
separation of you and your home
God has created
your wings not to be dormant
as long as you are alive
you must try more and more
to use your wings to show you're alive
these wings of yours
are filled with quests and hopes
if they are not used
they will wither away
they will soon decay
you may not like
what i'm going to tell you
you are stuck
now you must seek
nothing but the source
Photo: "Let go," originally uploaded by Nataly
