Until 2002, Thanksgiving was another holiday that was filled with an over abundance of food, family dynamics and a variety of habitual stress patterns. In 2003, I got sober, began practicing Yoga and learned an appreciation for simply just being alive. Through the last 9 years I have gotten interested in my life, investigated the 'why's" and started to awaken my instincts which had been lying dormant for many years as they were covered by family/social enculturation, habits and ideas that I learned as a kid. I received the messages sent my way that This was my life to be lived and no matter the choices I would make and pain to endure, they would be mine.
For most of my life there was a disconnect to the world around me but through Yoga & my spiritual practices, my awareness of nature blossomed, as does my connection to animals, trees, flowers, four elements, moon, sun, & creator. I am mindful of what enters my body and do "my best" to eat the things that nourish me since the food industry doesn't care about my well being. With progress, not perfection I continue to gain knowledge, become aware and no longer turn my head to the things that I feel aren't "right" within.
As I make a choice today to be of service to others and not eat the turkey, I appreciate the path I am on and love & support yours. I wish you all a day of food, family, football, gratitude, gathering, freedom to choose what makes you happy.
I close with a prayer of thanks:
Give greetings & thanks to Mother water: waterfalls, rain, mist rivers, sea and oceans;
greet her with reverence and thanks.
Greetings to all animals around the world: those who walk on paws, hooves, crawl on the ground, above & below, those with no blood;
greet with reverence and thanks.
Give greetings & thanks to the trees:they give us shelter, clothing, medicine & shade;
greet with reverence and thanks.
Give thanks to the birds that fly, from the smallest to the largest, eagle as the leader: they wake up at dawn, help us to remember the joy in life and teach us to think from our hearts
greet with reverence and thanks.
Wish to remember the four winds: the messengers, the centers of our hearts, the law of our breaths, the center of our truth; how we speak it, how we say it, how we mean it and how we live it.
Thanks to the sky people: the sun who never fails us, who rises in the east to bring us the dawn and closes on the western gate so we know when we are to end our day;
To grandmother moon: the leader of all women, she governs the tides and teaches us about time.
To the stars: to bless our way, who light up the night like a diamond blanket;
We give our thanks and greetings.
Give thanks to enlightened teachers, seekers and what ever name you have that brings you from the dark to the light.
Bring to mind and thank your loved ones for where you are today.
Our Elders and children and all in the middle to complete our circle.
To Creator: for this beautiful life, your beautiful life & hearts, I am so VERY grateful!
And All my Beloveds, I appreciate by life with you by my side; I bow to the spirit in you all, Namaste.
Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGdV_niLcVk
