Here in the United States, it is Thanksgiving Day, and while the history of this holiday is not all it was taught to be when I was a child, I would love to reclaim the core value of what was and still is most important to me—expressing gratitude. 

So, here I go again: 

I am so grateful you are here in our world. 

I am grateful you opened your heart to open up this letter. 

I am so grateful that we ended up opening our hearts together. 

I am grateful that together, we are co-creating a happier, healthier, more abundantly loving world. 

I am grateful that while I continue to have a beginner’s mind, I still feel childlike wonder meeting this vast world and her blessed beings like you.

I am grateful the ancient wisdom that pours in and dances with me is giddy to tickle your beginner’s mind and then invite the ancient wisdom rolling through you, too, to remember all the beautiful gifts that you/I/we have in abundance, as well. 

THIS is what my friend Jennifer calls Thanks-Living Day, but I’m feeling this is a fresh new Thanks-Living Way! What rampage of thanks might you bring forward today with me? Go ahead. First, give yourself permission for 30 seconds of a few deep, cleansing breaths. Ready? Let’s do this together. Breathing in light…breathing out peace. Breathing in the possibility of joy. Breathing out acceptance and the allowing of joy. Breathing in love. Breathing out love. Breathing in more love. Breathing out more love. Take your time feeling the tides of this sacred love.

Now, tell me, sweet soul…

What is giving way in your heart for gratitude? What is playing in your mind for thankfulness? Where can you play with more thanks? Where would you like to share more gratitude? Who needs your focused gratitude right now, in prayer, thought, word, or deed? Let that pour through, and then when you’re ready, let it flow. You may say it aloud. You may hum it. You may write it on red, gold, or white paper, and you may burn it, paste it, tape it on your mirror, or put it in an envelope, but do express it, and out loud if you can. Roll it in a tube and tie it to a tree to let the winds take it, swing with it, or fashion it into a poem. 

And if you’d like to share a little of the gratitude pie with me tonight, send me an email. Our family is having an early Thanksgiving supper so I can write and my mother can rest, but if you and even a handful of people would like to gather for grace and sharing of our gratitude pie around 6:30 PM PST, I’d like to share it with you online—just sent a note to me at jane@janesibbett.com and I’ll send you a Zoom link. I know this is last-minute notice, and many will just be eating, but for those on their own, I’d love to give you a deep, loving air hug.

I’ll see you soon if you’d like to join me. Otherwise, have a blessed holiday!