As we move into the Holiday Season, I’ve wondered about the true meaning of Thanksgiving in North America and why its celebrated. I see Feasting, Traveling, Shopping…

Yet for some, it’s a season of sadness with more people departing this life, some people feeling alienated from family, others who are hospitalized or homeless, plus the stress of daily mainstream news and advertising bombardments.  

Thanksgiving originated as a Harvest Festival. The “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. The Pilgrims invited local Native Americans who contributed to the harvest feast which lasted for three days. For about 50 years the Pilgrims and Wampanoag, a local tribe, lived relatively harmoniously. http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving

For others, Thanksgiving is a story of the slaughter of indigenous people, the theft of their land by European colonists and the early impacts of Christianity and Capitalism in America. Native blood: the truth behind the myth of `Thanksgiving Day’  http://links.org.au/node/753 

Whatever your perspective on the origins of Thanksgiving in America, it’s a significant Harvest Season Holiday.  

• What are you harvesting at this time?

Some of you are reaping the harvest of your diligent efforts. Seeds that were planted at the beginning of the year, or maybe several years ago are now producing. You’ve either nurtured the seeds or you’ve neglected them.

Contemplate your current results:

• How did you nurture, tend or cultivate the soil in which you planted your seeds?

• What have your seeds produced?

• Is there something else required now to reap your reward?

Whether your harvest is bountiful or scarce, like it or not, you’re harvested something! What are you doing about it or with it now?

For What Are You Grateful?

Begin by making a Gratitude List and watch it grow organically!

• Count the blessings of your lessons
• Demonstrate appreciation and share your bounty
• In what other ways can you demonstrate gratitude, (rather than regret)

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

– Melody Beattie

I’m grateful for my health, family, friends, home, educational pursuits, business evolution, spiritual journey and communities, creative endeavors, cultural diversity of my hometown, international travel and more, as well as the challenges through which I grow and learn. I seek to express gratitude every day!

Enjoy receiving and giving thanks!  Bountiful Blessings to you and yours!

Also, it’s not too early to gather seeds (identify intentions) for the New Year’s planting cycle (commitments)!

Please share what you’re grateful for in the comment section below.