Give
Thanks
“I am
grateful always for this moment, the now, no matter what form it
takes.”
Eckhart
Tolle
In a couple of day, we
here in the US, will gather with others to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Many of us are still smarting from the election results, and not
looking forward to making nice about it with gloating family members.
Many are genuinely sad at the direction America seems to be taking,
and we're carrying that sadness and worry into the season of the year
that is supposed to be about light. Some of us are bearing other
burdens too personal to talk about, that weigh us down. Some of our
families are divided or broken; some have recently lost loved ones.
Our focus on the food and the festivities will be cut with the
heaviness of concern. We are constantly reminded of the tragic
difficulties happening around the world—the war in Syria, all of
the troops—the children we love—in harms way, the earthquakes in
the Asian realm, the forest fires north of us in the Smoky
Mountains, and here in Alabama, and elsewhere across the South,
exceptional drought—so serious that state wide water restrictions
are in place.
It's hard to be thankful
when your heart is heavy. Let us take comfort in knowing that this
too shall pass. We can reassure ourselves that sorrow will be
replaced by joy, that there will be days of happiness ahead. This
ability to feel what we feel is a gift and not a burden. Life will
always be a deep-sea crossing, not a cruise, but there will also be
days of smooth sailing, of exhilaration and wonder. There will be hallelujah moments to celebrate. To whatever
extent possible, let us take pleasure in one another, and give thanks
for the sweetness that life offers—even when it's painful and
difficult. In the words of Eckhart Tolle, “It is through gratitude
for the present moment that the spiritual dimension of life opens
up.” I am thankful for you.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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