Gratitude

Antique letter “G” tea cups (with tea-lights inside) that I picked up at the thrift store. My sons’ last name begins with a G, so I couldn’t resist….plus, these thin, old cups are super-cheap and make wonderful soft lighting for holidays.

I bought 4 old tea cups and saucers (thinking that my sons might like them as part of the Christmas-table centerpiece), but I put them on our coffee table a few days ago, and this morning it occurred to me that there could be no better reminder of what tomorrow is: A day dedicated to Gratitude.

…But I don’t want to wait to be grateful for my life. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, or even what may happen in the next hour, so I’m not going to wait to acknowledge the gifts that I have received. I am dedicating this day to letting those people who have helped me to “see the light within” know how much I appreciate them, and I am starting with you. Thank you for being a part of this White Feather Farm blog community. Thank you for your loving energy, that I can feel whether you comment every day or never. I am deeply grateful for your presence.

I’d like to invite you to share anything (and everything!) that you are grateful for here on this blog, and if no one has told you today how special you are, let me be the first.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think, with deep gratitude, of those who have lighted the flame within us“. Albert Schweitzer

 

Read Full Post »

Ask and expect

Years ago, I was on vacation in Florida, walking up the beach thinking that I needed a hat. I don’t like wearing hats, so I didn’t bring one with me on the trip, but the sun was intense and after several days in it, my face had started to feel burned. At that moment, I looked down and there was a baseball cap just sitting on top of a pile of seaweed. It had obviously been in the ocean for a while because it had several pieces of the seaweed attached to it. The logo on the front was from the University of Virginia; the place where my son Tom was, at the time, attending law school. I picked it up with a smile and said a silent thank you. After washing it, I happily wore it for the rest of my vacation…..A gift from Spirit in response to a silent need.

One of the reasons that I believe small things show up so easily and quickly, is that I don’t have any fear or negative beliefs that the thing that I want can’t happen. I’m not sure that doubt makes our dreams come true slower, but it sure makes for a rough ride.

“To give thanks in solitude is enough.  Thanksgiving has wings and goes where it must go.  Your prayer knows much more about it than you do”.  ~Victor Hugo

Read Full Post »

Thanksgiving…finding comfort in being ourselves

Esther has no trouble with the idea of; "Sleep until you are hungry, eat until you are sleepy." Anonymous

I was reading a book yesterday and the writer said that she had been, years ago, invited to the Royal palace  for dinner. I always wondered how anyone could feel hungry in such a formal setting with such good (fitted) clothes on. I really appreciate beauty and elegance and would love the idea of being at one of those dinners, but in reality I know that I wouldn’t enjoy the meal nearly as much as one shared in a relaxed, comfortable home, with soft furniture and maybe a wood stove burning in the corner, animals around, possibly a cat on my lap, wearing pants with a stretch-band waist.

I feel grateful for the fabric spandex, and for stretchy waist bands and comfortable furniture, and for a couple of days a year when I feel free to eat without guilt. I also feel grateful for the effort made by people to get together, even when it is a lot of work, and celebrate whatever this day means to them; whether that be connection with family, or friends, or animals, or eating Turkey and watching football, or shopping for Christmas presents, working at a community dinner….whatever makes you happy, I hope you can do it today.

Please feel free to share with us your particular joys; the things that you love, the things that you are grateful for today. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone…my gratitude that you are a part of this community is beyond words.

Read Full Post »

Good news

I was a horrible student in high school, and prided myself on never taking home a book, which earned me the distinction of graduating at the bottom of my class. When I was in my twenties, I realized that I wanted an education, but had serious doubts about my abilities/intellect. I considered myself to be a poor student (which I certainly was), but didn’t know if this was just because I wasn’t smart, or because I never tried. By this time, I also had 2 small children at home.

During my second semester at a community college, I became friends with my Chemistry professor. She and I were about the same age, and occasionally went out for a drink (more about this part of my story at a later time!) after class with a few other students. One evening during casual conversation, she asked me how I was doing in my other classes. I said, “I’ve gotten mostly B’s”. She then looked me in the eyes and said, “That is not good enough for you.”

This woman, who had a master’s degree and was teaching at the community college level, saw me as an A student?! My life changed in that moment. I started studying like my life depended on it. Shortly thereafter, I transferred my credits to a University, graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, received a full scholarship to graduate school (to study Economics…this is a long story!) and eventually was accepted at Harvard Divinity School.

It was almost 30 years ago that Martha (I cannot remember her last name) said those words to me. I don’t remember much about Chemistry; what she had to teach me didn’t have anything to do with that. She saw something in me that I hadn’t yet recognized, and had the courage to say it. We are all teachers in this incredible classroom of life. Our words matter…more than we can ever know. Thank you Martha!

“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” Anne Frank

Read Full Post »