Thanksgiving = Hope

BREATHE!

I love holidays. I think humanity created them so that we have times when the entire culture pauses and focuses on something meaningful. And Thanksgiving, however it began, is a moment when we begin to celebrate the completion of another year. Things slow down. We think more about family, and our blessings, and community. Hopefully, we connect with friends and loved ones, and share a bounty.

We experience gratitude. Thanksgiving. Gratitude for what we have experienced, and are currently experiencing, is critical to have a joyful life. A doorway to escape suffering. Another potential doorway into a better way of being.

What do YOU think would happen if, every day, you thought of three things for which you are grateful? If every day you really let yourself FEEL them?

Your life would transform. You know the people who are never grateful, who believe they have nothing to be happy about. And sometimes these are otherwise successful, attractive and healthy people, who just seem to focus only on what they DON’T have.

And that is the definition of failure. But a modest life filled with gratitude is a success: remember, the meaning of life is to escape suffering, embrace joy, and be of service.

Today I feel no suffering. I see problems in the world, yes, but my son and daughter are both alive and under my roof, safe. So is my grandpuppy Nala. Tananarive is safe, and loves me. I will see my Sister’s family today, and share food with them. My car…