What a gift you are…… I am and always will be thankful….. my life with all of you…. Not always easy …… is the very best….. I am blessed and I am thankful just how aware I am…. For my blessings
“The true gift of aging is the grace that comes when you stop trying to be what you never were.”
The quote from your essay today brings back memories of another similar sentiment from Paul Coelho, author of “The Alchemist”:
“Maybe the journey thru life isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be.”
Paul Coelho
Both quotes may appear to be passive sentiments, but they seem to me to be more active in their focus on taking a more aggressive role in managing the influences on your life. And while being active is not the same as being aggressive, there is some alliteration there. But perhaps that is the basic point. Life is meant to be lived, not just viewed thru a screen or appreciated through the actions of others. In other words, to change our focus from ourselves to others. Which brings me round-a-bout to the topic of today’s post: “thanks giving” (intentionally uncapitalized).
Commemorating the act of “giving thanks” was not intended to be just a holiday of travel and feasting, but an active focus on appreciation. Watching a parade is not the same as “thanks-giving”. The act of giving thanks (not exclusive to the religious practices) was meant to become a basic cornerstone of our culture. The basic tenet of early America being: work hard, give thanks, and rest. And it was meant to be done not alone, but as a community. Whether we ascribe to marketing themes about the “Pilgrims First Thanksgiving” (never a real thing) or we relish in the modern traditions of feasting, travel, and merriment, the intention of the holiday can still have some relevance. I’m certain that the original intention has been largely successful in at least getting most of us to stop and appreciate the people and other elements of our lives. If we actually act on that appreciation, all the better.
One of the actions I try to focus on daily is helping me to “un-become” the type A, self indulgent over-achiever I migrated to in my working years. It was several life tragedies that brought it back in focus for me, but regardless of how, I am thankful for the awakening. In our fast paced modern society it may seem old fashioned, but it does amaze me sometimes how much connection is created between friends and strangers by simply saying “thank you” for an action taken by them. It is so much better to say it in person than text it, but I’ll take even the lesser form today. And that is how the act of “thanks-giving”, makes life better and graceful for me.
That Coelho quote hits HARD, and so damn true. The active nature of them is huge, the fact that it's a constant struggle to remember those lessons, to embody them.
Your haiku is a stunner. I hope I am like you when I grow up :)
I am so freakin thankful for you and your family. You will never know (well maybe you will because WE WILL MEET FACE TO FACE ONE DAY - I’ll buy the hot tea my man!) how much you mean to me - your books, your contact, your words here on Substack, your life lived thru blips on a screen magnified in wavelengths to our hearts…
I'm just as thankful (Times 10) for YOU my brother. I hope you know this. I cannot wait til the day we get to sit on the deck and share a cup of tea and just slow down.
I am in a season of grief and that grief is bathed in gratitude. I am grateful for the love that birthed the grief and for the ability to grow with it.
You've been my favorite poet since I was ~16 (15 years and counting) and your voice continues to inspire me. Thank you!
What a stunning way to look at grief. A way I always have, but man it's hard sometimes isn't it? Thank you for being here, thank you for reading what I write all these years. What an honor.
Acknowledging the things we are grateful for is a good practice throughout the year. I had never thought of including “lows”, however, and being ‘grateful’ for what they can teach us- perhaps reframing them for us.
Gratitude is so powerful. Whenever I'm feeling the struggle, I try to remember (not always easy!) to take a deep breath and list several things I'm grateful for. It grounds me in just how many blessings I have - my health, people to love and who love me, furry companions, a peaceful community. And I'm so very grateful for you and this community! Thank you :)
What a gift you are…… I am and always will be thankful….. my life with all of you…. Not always easy …… is the very best….. I am blessed and I am thankful just how aware I am…. For my blessings
Look who's talking :) You're the very best.
“The true gift of aging is the grace that comes when you stop trying to be what you never were.”
The quote from your essay today brings back memories of another similar sentiment from Paul Coelho, author of “The Alchemist”:
“Maybe the journey thru life isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be.”
Paul Coelho
Both quotes may appear to be passive sentiments, but they seem to me to be more active in their focus on taking a more aggressive role in managing the influences on your life. And while being active is not the same as being aggressive, there is some alliteration there. But perhaps that is the basic point. Life is meant to be lived, not just viewed thru a screen or appreciated through the actions of others. In other words, to change our focus from ourselves to others. Which brings me round-a-bout to the topic of today’s post: “thanks giving” (intentionally uncapitalized).
Commemorating the act of “giving thanks” was not intended to be just a holiday of travel and feasting, but an active focus on appreciation. Watching a parade is not the same as “thanks-giving”. The act of giving thanks (not exclusive to the religious practices) was meant to become a basic cornerstone of our culture. The basic tenet of early America being: work hard, give thanks, and rest. And it was meant to be done not alone, but as a community. Whether we ascribe to marketing themes about the “Pilgrims First Thanksgiving” (never a real thing) or we relish in the modern traditions of feasting, travel, and merriment, the intention of the holiday can still have some relevance. I’m certain that the original intention has been largely successful in at least getting most of us to stop and appreciate the people and other elements of our lives. If we actually act on that appreciation, all the better.
One of the actions I try to focus on daily is helping me to “un-become” the type A, self indulgent over-achiever I migrated to in my working years. It was several life tragedies that brought it back in focus for me, but regardless of how, I am thankful for the awakening. In our fast paced modern society it may seem old fashioned, but it does amaze me sometimes how much connection is created between friends and strangers by simply saying “thank you” for an action taken by them. It is so much better to say it in person than text it, but I’ll take even the lesser form today. And that is how the act of “thanks-giving”, makes life better and graceful for me.
The giving of thanks
The act of changing focus
Giving others grace
That Coelho quote hits HARD, and so damn true. The active nature of them is huge, the fact that it's a constant struggle to remember those lessons, to embody them.
Your haiku is a stunner. I hope I am like you when I grow up :)
TKG!!!
My brother, My friend, My mentor, My inspiration
I am so freakin thankful for you and your family. You will never know (well maybe you will because WE WILL MEET FACE TO FACE ONE DAY - I’ll buy the hot tea my man!) how much you mean to me - your books, your contact, your words here on Substack, your life lived thru blips on a screen magnified in wavelengths to our hearts…
YOU ARE IMPORTANT! YOU ARE LOVED!
YOU MAKE ME A BETTER HUMAN!
Until then - grace and peace my brother
I'm just as thankful (Times 10) for YOU my brother. I hope you know this. I cannot wait til the day we get to sit on the deck and share a cup of tea and just slow down.
I am in a season of grief and that grief is bathed in gratitude. I am grateful for the love that birthed the grief and for the ability to grow with it.
You've been my favorite poet since I was ~16 (15 years and counting) and your voice continues to inspire me. Thank you!
What a stunning way to look at grief. A way I always have, but man it's hard sometimes isn't it? Thank you for being here, thank you for reading what I write all these years. What an honor.
Acknowledging the things we are grateful for is a good practice throughout the year. I had never thought of including “lows”, however, and being ‘grateful’ for what they can teach us- perhaps reframing them for us.
Absolutely this. The lows make us, the highs just are fun :)
Gratitude is so powerful. Whenever I'm feeling the struggle, I try to remember (not always easy!) to take a deep breath and list several things I'm grateful for. It grounds me in just how many blessings I have - my health, people to love and who love me, furry companions, a peaceful community. And I'm so very grateful for you and this community! Thank you :)
What a beautiful practice. I adore this Rachel. And you.
Right back at you, Tyler! :)
<3