Giving Thanks

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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