BEING GRATEFUL

Apparently Thanksgiving brings up all sorts of issues for people. Maybe there is some ambivalence about family dynamics. Perhaps there are food issues. What if you're a vegan and everyone in your family will be doing heavy turkey consumption. Maybe there are political differences and after the election, emotions might be volatile. Travel could be a pain in the butt.

But let's put all those possibilities (and more) aside for a few. What about all the things we can truly be thankful for? Doesn't it seem manageable to actually pay attention to, at the heart, all the swell manifestations of grace that have rained down on us?

When I am feeling overwhelmed or depressed or anxious, I start the mantra of gratitude for myself. I just take a minute to list every little thing, every big thing and all the stuff that can't be sized.

I might do this in traffic. When I can't sleep. When I'm peeved.

And if you open yourself to the process, you will be amazed at what you come up with. And trust me on this, if you are not in the habit of doing this simple practice, you will be awestruck by how much better you feel.

If you scroll all the way down to the bottom, I have a related piece.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!