By Gurudevi Nirmalananda
Your celebration of Thanksgiving Day in the USA is likely to be focused on family and food. You are probably anticipating a wonderful event. However, it’s rarely a day of thanks, irrespective of the name.
In the many hours with others, how much time is actually spent in gratitude? Maybe 2 minutes? Maybe 5? We’re a long way away from the Pilgrims. They were thanking God as well as their neighbors, the native Americans who had saved them from starvation.
While food insecurity is still happening in America, hopefully it’s not one of your challenges. Since you don’t feel a shortage or need, then you’re not likely to feel grateful when it is met.
Gratitude abounds when you receive something you need. Thus you are not short on gratitude — your life is lacking need. While your wish list may include many wonderful things, your day-to-day needs are probably well under control. And that is worth celebrating!
To be aware of the blessings in your life, Thanksgiving Day is the day. To appreciate the small things, this is the day. To recognize the many people involved in simple stuff, like when you buy a pie, this is the time. Not only did the baker do something wonderful for you, but also the farmers who grew the ingredients and the truck driver who moved the farm’s produce to its destination. There’s always room for gratitude.
At a recent meeting I attended, the sound of leaf-blowers outside the window made it difficult to hear the other people. Of course, some complained. I offered a different perspective, “I’m grateful to the gardener who is doing this instead of me. He’ll move to another area soon.”
Yes, even in the midst of difficulties, there’s always something to be grateful for. A grateful heart is a soft heart, open to receiving more and more of what is already being given. Your ability to receive is honored by yoga as a sublime surrender.
It is my Baba that made me able to surrender, thus receiving his great gift fully. This inner awakening gave me life, gave me a reason to live, and continues to give me the ability to care and to share. Ji, Baba. Yes, Baba. My gratitude grows every year. Every day.
Happy Thanksgiving!