Thanksgiving approaches–the practice of thankfulness

The practice of thankfulness–it’s important right now. I’ve been feeling sad about Thanksgiving coming this year. It’s a Thanksgiving I won’t be spending with my family–and it’s my favorite holiday. I love spending a day or two in the kitchen with my daughters, cooking together, creating a feast; planning the meal, which we’ve done on Google Docs these past few years is also an important part of the fun.

At the same time, I find myself longing for silence. Even though I’m spending a lot of time alone right now, it doesn’t mean that there’s silence. I spend a lot of time in the company of my computer. When I’m not writing on it, I’m reading or watching or just meandering around.

The practice of thankfulness

So today, I asked myself how I can rekindle thankfulness and find the inner silence I long for. I wrote about the practice of gratitude on Soul Blossom Kids today. I shared a game I used to play in my classroom at circle time where we passed around a mini-pumpkin and whoever was holding it at the end of the verse got to share what they were thankful for.

Benefits of Gratitude

The regular practice of gratitude has so many benefits for physical, social, and emotional health. Proven by science, no less! I found a bunch of interesting articles. Here are links to three of them if you want to read more about it from Harvard Medical School, Psychology Today, and Forbes.

How to add gratitude to your day

There are so many ways. Maybe you’ve kept a gratitude journal where you write 3 things you’re grateful for every day. If you haven’t, it can be a lovely, simple practice. I’ve done it before or sometimes I include a list of 3 things I’m grateful for in my morning journal.

Many of my Poetry Friday friends write haiku or other poetry for gratitude or as a practice of thankfulness. By the way, Robin Hood Black hosts this week. Be sure to check out her blog where she has gathered all sorts of goodness. She shares some wonderful poetry resources for all ages as well as gathering all the contributors to Poetry Friday. Plus, be sure to check out her ETSY shop, ArtsyLetters, where she offers wonderful gifts with lots of vintage artsy literary-related items.

At this point, poetry is my preferred gratitude practice, along with spending time in nature.

Finding gratitude in my day

Even though I wasn’t feeling it–gratitude, that is–I went out for a walk today. After stopping at the library to pick up a book, which now involves calling and waiting for them to bring it out and leave it on a table, I went on to a favorite prairie path.

As are many days, the sky was bright blue and big. I first started thinking of that song from Oliver, “Who will buy this wonderful morning.” In case you’re not familiar with it, here it is:

I haven’t seen this for years, but I seem to have quite a storehouse of songs in my mind (including commercial jingles!), and this one just bobbed up to the surface today.

Then after a while, I was lulled by the music of the wind and dried grasses. I don’t always notice these sounds. But it was especially windy today. Plus I forgot my hat, which may have contributed to my hearing more.

This poem started to write itself amidst the song of the wind. I recorded it as soon as I got back to my car–it was too windy to do it while I walked!

Even though I don’t say “thanks” in the poem, it feels like a deep appreciation to me, so I’m including it as part of my practice of thankfulness.

November Symphony

October’s fiery reveille

has given way

to the subtler symphony of November.

Reds, oranges, acid yellows

have given way

to grays, browns, ochres.

And yet there’s richness in this monochrome dullness

When I pause and pay attention–subtle variations of color and texture.

And today I hear the prairie’s symphony,

directed by the wind.

(Maybe I hear it more because I forgot my hat!)

The dried grasses and the trees, with a few clinging leaves,

play their parts, each with their own timbre.

When I reached conductor’s rostrum–

ok, it’s just the top of the hill–

I hear the booming voice

of the wind, himself, singing a rousing solo.

Now my ears are red, like October leaves,

But my soul waltzes to the soothing strains

of November’s symphony.

And don’t forget kindness

I am thankful for all the wonderful people I connect with–mostly virtually these days.

If you need a little dose of kindness, check out my Ode to Kindness and Mr. Rogers.

Thank you for stopping by. Wishing you many things to be thankful for!

xoxo