Thanksgiving Musings

On this cool, rainy Thanksgiving Day, as I look out the window of my office, I see trees, tons of them, some are still green, and others have leaves falling off, branches have broken, and I think of the contrasts life can give us. How perception literally creates reality. I choose to see the contrast of trees almost as a poem or painting adorning my space, and for this I am grateful.

I am grateful that no matter what happens in life, we have the awesome power of our spirit to transcend and learn from all our experiences. To live with this awareness, creates openings to connect to life, not from a place of fear and the limitations it brings, but from a place of strength, grace and inspiration. We all have these gifts.

I think of Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned for 30 years for conspiring to eliminate apartheid in South Africa. He was able to experience transcendence, a growth of his spirit, and walked out with the ability to touch many humans worldwide, even let go of his anger towards the white man. He went to win the Nobel Peace for transforming the government of South Africa from oppression to a multi racial democracy. For humans like him, I am grateful.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. - Albert Schweitzer

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. Meister Eckhart

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Cicero

I have for the past year, laughed, and cried, and have been inspired as I read the hubs of the talented group of writers we have here. You may not know it, but when you open up your heart and share, when you give a tip to cook a healthier meal, when you share a poem, a PhotoShop creation, art, a healing modality, your thoughts on the nature of reality, a book you read, information about the Bach remedies, a story about aliens, or when you simply rant, it all becomes a part of the tapestry of my day. I don't see it as a "waste" as some people may consider the online world to be, I see it as an enhancement, a window to the world, a connection between the writer and me, even if its for a few minutes. It blends in well with my "real" life of managing a business and writing.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday, but I include my friends who reside outside the USA in my Happy Thankgiving wishes, as everyday is an opportunity to be grateful for the different shades and tones that make up our life experience.

We are all connected in spirit and I thank you all for being a part of my life!

Happy Thanksgiving!