Thanksgiving; Beginning Our Annual Review
In the United States, the tradition of Thanksgiving begins the winter holiday season. In its highest sense, it begins with family, friends and gratitude and continues on with a spirit of generosity, celebration and closing out a cycle of a year. Regardless of one’s religious affiliation and culture of origin, Christmas has morphed into a collective spirit of lights, caroling music, and, if not exchange of presents, then at least a long school vacation. Streets and stores are decorated and there is a general sense of settling into winter, for most. That, of course, is an overwhelming generalization. There is also nostalgia, sadness and even loneliness accentuated for some, at this time of year. No matter what, it is still a right of passage in the year, each year.
What is most beautiful and salient for me, is that in our magnificently diverse country, in our relentlessly secular society, where religious and spiritual traditions are relegated to the sidelines, there is still a joining at the spiritual level, whether we are aware or not, for all of us because of these traditions. It is an opportunity to choose joy, celebration, and generosity. It is an opportunity to choose to be a way, and share a practice that the general community is supporting, however we each then choose to individualize the experience.
The decorative lights in contrast to the longer, dark days (in the north), is a comfort and a reminder, metaphorically, of the light within. This time of year is also the opportunity to remember the importance of accepting winter's hibernation, a time to take in and process all that has happened, all you have learned and grown this cycle round and then, with deliberate intention, envision what you want for the next year. This same time every year allows us to prepare for and accept change with the power of our own deliberation and intention.
My prayer for you is to remember you always carry the light within, and it is a light that we all share and keep alive individually and collectively. In the darkness, in the cold, there is always much to nurture through your awareness with practices and traditions that help you integrate and align with the rhythm of life.
