The week of Thanksgiving is one I cherish deeply. It’s a call to stop all the busy-ness and use the time to appreciate the many blessings I’ve been privileged to receive. This practice gives me the right perspective as we get into the holiday season and emerge into a new year. It’s a reminder to stay focused on what really matters and to stay true to my values.
This year in particular, when the world is in so much turmoil and there is pain and misery beyond belief, it is hard to think of celebrations and festivities. But, this is exactly when we must summon the love we have in our hearts and express it by way of saying thanks, giving hugs, lending a hand, listening attentively, paying a sincere compliment, making someone smile, sharing a meal. Simple, powerful acts of kindness.
I share with you two poems I wrote for the last two Thanksgiving.
Gratitude Is A Muscle
Gratitude is a muscle
Use it or lose it
Flex it and it grows
Practice makes perfect
One reaps what one sows.
– Shobha Vanchiswar
Thanksgiving
A harvest, a fruit
A forest, a tree
Abundance isn’t always
what the eyes see.
An open door, a glass of water
A sunny day, a summer shower
Simple respites
hold mighty power.
A stranger’s kindness, a child’s wave
A timely hug, a puppy’s lick
Gestures small in size
impact so big.
Love of family, support of friends
Reason to laugh, purpose to live
Immeasurable riches
sincere thanks to give.
– Shobha Vanchiswar
May your Thanksgiving be rich in peace, love and laughter.
Inspiration – images from the 2023 Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. Do go see this show in person!
(c) 2023 Shobha Vanchiswar
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