A Spiritually Grounded Giving of Thanks – Choose Gratitude as a Return to the Peace Within
Apologies for a post the day after Thanksgiving. But the meaning of Thanksgiving extends beyond just the one day. It is the beginning of a season of giving, a season of thanks, and season of Rebirths. I recognize that this holiday is a tradition of communal eating and togetherness, but if we unpack a layer just beyond that we can discover that it carries an opportunity to spiritually reflect, ground ourselves emotionally, and renew our inner peace. It is a moment to pause and to notice the connection between rebirthing our attitudes and realigning gratitude and spiritual growth.
For Kind Rebirth, this season is more than a celebration. It has transformed into a practice of intentional return to who we truly are inside, who we are meant to be, to our values, to those who matter to us the most, and to all the quiet truths we have gained throughout the year collectively and the even smaller ones we pick up daily. Moving forward, I hope to eliminate the idea that Thanksgiving is a performance or is an unnecessary pressure. In fact, it is the very essence of presence.
The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful force when it moves beyond ordinary understanding and transforms into a way of seeing your life with clarity and compassion. When we practice it with whole-hearted intention, our inner world is reinforced by gratitude. Connecting with the core of whom we truly are with purpose and spiritual support keeps us moving forward even during the hardest days in our darkest times. So, if helpful, please refer to the following as needed:
Spiritually, gratitude serves as a positive ground force in bringing attention back to the moment. It is a reminder that despite the times we feel abandoned or have lost our path, remember just showing gratitude re-centers us and helps us recall the many ways we are and have been supported in the past. They often get lost or go overlooked. Similarly, gratitude is a pathway and doorway to balancing emotions and renewing perspective. Ideally, this kind of gratitude brings forward a shift toward truth-seeking. When we show appreciation, we can see where we have been, where we have healed and grown, and then finally, how that transformation has changed us.
Looking Forward
Thanksgiving for me used to serve as a marker or the starting point of the Christmas season. Well, that has changed a bit. It’s changed because how I view the season is different. Now it has become a natural checkpoint, more so of a reminder that we need to check in on ourselves – mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We can use this point of reference to start looking beyond just accomplishments and challenges. Let’s ask deeper questions such as “What did I overcome?”, “In what ways or in what areas did I internally grow?”, and “Did I experience the kind of rebirth that serves others?”Quiet wisdom, or the wisdom you reflect on within yourself, will help you answer these questions honestly.
And as we move closer into the Christmas season, I offer the same message – embrace your spiritual gratitude. Whether you pray or whether you choose to meditate, consider these gratitude markers on your journey:
·Gratitude for Guidance – As you work to sharpen your positive intention, celebrate your intuition. Your inner voice wants to work for you, so be grateful.
·Gratitude for Protection – There were probably a few things that didn’t work out in your favor and you may have felt disappointment. Perhaps they weren’t sustainable for your long-term purpose and maybe that’s for the best.
·Gratitude for Change – Change is terribly uncomfortable, yet every growth spurt brings you closer to who you are meant to become.
·Gratitude for Community Connection – Outside support matters. This is a race rarely won alone. Even if you move in a small circle of friends or family, at some point, someone offered you something that took a weight off of your shoulders. Small doses are significant.
·Gratitude for Self-Resilience – You are still here. You are still present. But you are still learning and still becoming. And with that, you are still able to show up. Recognize this.
A Kind Message for Giving Thanks on and beyond Thanksgiving from Kind Rebirths
The holiday season is just beginning to unfold. I wish for you all the feeling of being grounded, balanced, and supported. I wish that the rebirths you are facing moving forward change confusion to clarity and change turmoil into peace. Honor all which surrounds you with gratitude and appreciation and without comparison. A peace-driven life seeks to unify the interconnectedness we all share and not the separation we receive from ungratefulness. Seek to avoid the suffering that weighs us all down as we all deserve a season of Giving Thanks that reflects a Kind Rebirth.
Stay Mindful…
Rebirth
