Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. In part, it's because it was one of the few days of the year when I was allowed to eat as much as I wanted and didn't go hungry. It's also because I like the idea of noticing what I'm grateful for.

One of the things I've learned on my journey is that it must begin with a core of belief in myself. That I can build upon. Then I can risk looking at what I don't like about myself or my life. This means that every time I stop to think about what I'm thankful for about myself, I gain strength and resilience to move forward even more.

The last couple of weeks I have been looking at beliefs I didn't know I had. Teasing them to the surface is the challenge! I'm still not done. In a way I feel like I've been deep sea fishing--which goes along with the battening down the hatches analogy in my last post. And each time I sat down to do that, I began with what I like about myself and the strengths I have so that I could look at what I'm afraid of or don't like.

Today I've been enjoying a peaceful and quiet Thanksgiving. It is a joy not to be in the middle of people screaming at each other and telling each other how flawed they are. It is a joy to be able to laugh and to curl up with my dog, to ponder what I love about my life and what could make it even better.

I hope all of you are having a lovely Thanksgiving too.

Sending blessings and safe and gentle ((((((hugs))))))),
April_optimist

8 comments:

Just Be Real said...

Dear one, I am glad that you had a quiet and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Blessings to you always!!!!

Patricia Singleton said...

April, I am also glad that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Also thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog article about Thanksgiving.

therapydoc said...

Just the beginning of the holiday season. Hope yours is happy.

gypsy-heart said...

It sounds like you had a nice quiet Thanksgiving. :)
I wanted to wish you happy holidays!

I don't know about you, but I am ready for 2010!!

Good energies and peace of heart to you,


~g-h

Ethereal Highway said...

"I love Thanksgiving. In part, it's because it was one of the few days of the year when I was allowed to eat as much as I wanted and didn't go hungry."

It touched my heart to read this and know that Thanksgiving holds something warm for you. I like it that you are not hungry anymore. It was nice to share your peace.

jumpinginpuddles said...

thanksgiving isnt celebrated over here. But the one thing im curious about is ...christmas dya not as huge over there because you have thanksgiving before xmas

April_optimist said...

Just Be Real, Thank you.

Patricia, I'm glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too.

Therapy Doc, It's an interesting time and I'm so grateful that these days my holidays are happy.

Gypsy-Heart, LOL! Funny but I find myself savoring each day. And yes, I'm looking forward to 2010.

Ethereal Highway, I am so blessed that my life is so diiferent now than it was back then.

Jumping in Puddles, Oh, Christmas is huge here. I think we just really like holidays in the US.

Colleen, Hope yours was good, too.

VICKI IN AZ said...

"I think you have to know who you are. Get to know the monster that lives in your soul, dive deep into your soul and explore it."
Tori Amos

Wonderful
xoxo