Thanksgiving

I am looking forward to this Thanksgiving because I will be with my family and dear friends. But I am also anxious- about hosting a huge meal, providing the right atmosphere, and getting the details right. I want everyone to feel comfortable and relaxed, not overworked or stressed- including myself. 
How can I help to make it a great day for everyone and also retain my own contentment?

In order to set this day apart, I will treat it as a Sabbath… no unkind words, no rushing, no work that isn’t thankful work. I choose to stay present, notice everything as if in slow motion, and pause often to observe what I am thankful for in the moment.

Agenda:
1. Thanksgiving Meditation for Peace and Abundance:
In order to start the morning right, I began giving thanks before I got out of bed. I plan to stay in a thanksgiving meditation as long as I can...Take a deep breath and feel deep gratitude for what I have, for the abundance of having a home, a family and friends. I am thankful for the things I usually take for granted. I am thankful that I AM ALIVE.

I give thanks for my warm bed, for my slippers, my dog, my sleeping family, my clean kitchen, and my morning cup of coffee. I pray that my friends and family stay safe and well.

I give thanks for the pies on the table, and the abundance of food in the refrigerator. I pray that others find enough food today to feel full and satisfied.

I give thanks for a home of peace, and a town with no riots or bombing. I pray for peace and justice for my brothers and sisters with darker skin than mine, and that I will have the strength to stand with them when things get dangerous.

2. Cook the Turkey:

I’m cooking a 14 lb. turkey this year, and it was in the oven at 9 a.m. as planned. I was up early to make the stuffing, warm the bird to room temperature, rinse it off, pat it dry, stuff it, and baste it with melted butter.

3. Give thanks:
Thankfulness is a powerful and transforming emotion. I hope to take time to feel each nuance of the day, to feel gratitude for each person present, and for each dish offered; and give thanks for the food, all the way back to its source and all who handled it on the way to our table.

I hope to take the time to connect deeply with the people I am with and appreciate each person’s uniqueness, and I challenge myself to find out something new about every person at the table.