I am reminded of an inspiring story. During the Holocaust the only food left for a father and son was a sliver of butter. The father melted the butter and added a wick and made a candle. The son was irate screaming at his father that this was the last piece of food. How could he make a candle? The father responded, “Son – the body can last for weeks without food, but it cannot last more than a minute without hope.”
Whatever your circumstances are during the holiday season, I find it is best to develop and cultivate an attitude of gratitude – holding hope that every cloud has a silver lining … that after every challenge there is growth and a better, more fulfilling life. Remember to count your blessings as we have many. Often our attention goes to the lack in our life, but truly we are blessed in many ways every day. Shelter, water, food, friendships, laughter, etc.
Gratitude, as I learned from his Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a very high frequency emotion that can lead to living life in the flow. I always end my morning meditations with a deep sense of gratitude for everything in my life. I am thankful for friends and foes, the good and the bad, since I recognize that I am the person I am because of all who crossed my path and because of all the experiences I have lived through. Some have been joyous, others have been tragic with many ups and downs all along the way.
I also start my day and pledge myself to spend the rest of the day in gratitude. Indeed when I am able to do that I do spend the day in the flow. What I have learned in many years of meditation practice and spiritual inquiry is that we all have a gratitude muscle within. First it is important to find that muscle but more important is to put it into practice – every single day! With daily practice that muscle gets stronger. As a result our lives become more fulfilling.
In the Daily Word – which I read every morning after my meditation and prayers – Charline E. Manuel offers this wisdom on gratitude: “Once we begin to let ourselves practice being grateful, it grows on us and in us. We make a discovery about gratitude that we would not otherwise know: gratitude is magnetic! A grateful heart and mind become a mighty magnet drawing to itself more to be grateful for. We literally raise our gratitude quotient when we develop an attitude to give thanks in all circumstances. The higher our gratitude quotient, the more magnetized we are for the gifts of health, happiness, joy, peace, love and prosperity.”
As we draw closer to Thanksgiving let us remind ourselves of the “first Thanksgiving.” It was neither a feast nor a holiday, but a simple gathering. Following the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620, the Pilgrims suffered the loss of 46 of their original 102 colonists. With the help of 91 Indians, the remaining Pilgrims survived the bitter winter and yielded a bountiful harvest in 1621. In celebration, a traditional English harvest festival lasting three days brought the Pilgrims and natives together to unite in a “Thanksgiving” observance.
So my hope and prayers are that all of you, your families and loved ones are able to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude, the deepest gratitude that you have ever felt, as you say a big “thank you” with every cell of your body for all that has made you the beautiful souls you truly are.
Wishing all a safe, healthy, joyous. peaceful and a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday.
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