by Paul C Pritchard: There is a force within that gives you life. Seek that. – Rumi
It’s Thanksgiving time … the holiday of humility and togetherness. The holiday that asks us to look within toward that ever-present beacon of gratitude which is often obscured by the frenetic world we’ve created. It reminds us to give, to make amends, to repair ruptured friendships and family ties. It leans into sustenance and nourishment. The table becomes the altar. The family become precious guests. Around the table there is a feeling of remembrance of our true nature and purpose. We are asked to put differences aside and become one … to lean into Unity, Peace and Love.
I sail with you on the ocean of my dreams
to a far away distant Place of great beauty and tranquillity.
where suffering and pain do not exist,
where we give praises for our joy and happiness,
where our Love intertwines with Love for all things. – Rumi
I am not American. I only know this tradition from movies, TV, novels and friends etc. When I look at the definition, it’s really quite beautiful.
Thanksgiving
Noun
- the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favours, especially to God.
- an expression of thanks, especially to God.
- a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favour or kindness.
- a day set apart for giving thanks to God.
But I wonder in all the feasting and the football and busyness, how much time there is for true contemplation. Happily, we are more and more attuned to the concepts of random acts of kindness, paying it forward and anonymous altruism. It’s so inspiring that these buzzwords are part of our common lexicon. But I can’t help wonder how instead of listing all the things we are grateful for (which I believe is vital to maintain a true sense of perspective, especially in challenging times) that we look more to the essential qualities within one another.
How might it be if we took the time to look at ‘ThanksBeing’?
ThanksBeing
Verb
- the act of contemplation for the restoration and benefit of Mother Earth
- an exploration of qualities within ourselves which support Unity Peace and Love
- a public celebration and recognition of one another’s unique essence
- a day set apart for actively giving thanks for just Being.
It’s important to be seen in who we truly are and what we truly bring to this life-tapestry. Big and small. It’s never just about what we have or what we do. It’s how we navigate through this life … how we hold ourselves in times of growth and expansion, as well as pain and contraction. It’s our essential qualities, our divine essence, that are the pillars of our individual lives.
Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world.
The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same.
Every wonderful sight will vanish, every sweet word will fade,
But do not be disheartened,
The source they come from is eternal, growing,
Branching out, giving new life and new joy.
Why do you weep?
The source is within you
And this whole world is springing up from it. – Rumi
I wonder how it would be if we took the time to acknowledge those often unsung qualities? It seems they are only expressed during eulogies. Let’s begin to share our recognition of what really matters. Let’s cultivate this practise into our daily lives so that it becomes second nature.
Here are a few examples of how to truly see your beloved circle …
I love your humility.
I appreciate how you value friendship.
I see your willingness to forgive.
I respect your honesty.
In your presence, I feel safe.
Your resilience and courage blows me away.
UPLIFT Challenge
Perhaps at this Thanksgiving’s table you might want to start a new tradition; the naming of what you are grateful for, on the material plane as well as the spiritual plane, but also fine-tuning your appreciation of how we all show-up in the world and what we have to offer. Every single human-BEING is gifted with a capacity for kindness. Every human-BEING has essential qualities of goodness. Reflect back those qualities that you are grateful for within your circle of friends and family and watch what happens.
You are the Essence of the Essence, The intoxication of Love. I long to sing Your Praises. – Rumi
