As I entered a national chain store just the other day, Christmas music greeted my ears — already? What about Thanksgiving?! Our ancestors used Thanksgiving Day as a remembrance of all the blessings of the year. It was a time to plant “seeds” with their gratitude for an abundant harvest for the coming year. Are we missing something? I think so. It’s easy to forget that fall is a “harvesting” time. An important season you may overlook and I don’t believe you should.
Fall Harvest
My brother always talks about the “fall turning” — the invisible shifts that are taking place and the foundation for what is in store for the upcoming year. And I remember growing up that for the month before Christmas, as preparation for the new year, we celebrated a season called Advent. We lit a candle each week and focused on joy, love, peace and hope. Most importantly, we looked at ourselves… what could we celebrate and what did we need to change to have a more open and loving heart? What could we do to renew our self to be open to the light? (Of course, in Christianity this is in preparation for the coming of the light of Christ.)
December Darkness into Light
In perfect timing to my thoughts about all this, Janet Conner, friend and author, wrote in her recent ezine that December heralds many celebrations of light as she says so eloquently, “It is the natural culmination of the earth’s life cycle. Solstice (this year December 21st) marks the longest night of the year, the entrance into death and darkness. And in the cold and the dark, the seed of life is born again. The earth does continue to spin, and as humanity applauds, the sun does indeed rise again to renew the cycle of the seasons.
Harvesting, Seeding and Blessings
As I write this today, I wonder what would happen … if you started today in preparation for next year by looking for, acknowledging and sharing all the things you are grateful for? If you spent time reflecting upon this past year and focusing on something you created that brought you joy? Or an event that happened which was a part of a larger picture of success for the year? If you went deeper and found gratitude for the times that were tough but ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise? If you just savored the smells and sights of the season or that special moment with a friend or family member? What if each day you said a blessing for something in the midst of this busy season, instead of our usual focus on brief moments out of the tiredness, frustration and overwhelm?
I know what would happen! You would be overflowing with gratitude and appreciation and joy, and planting those fertile seeds to bless the upcoming year.
Finding the blessing seeds that grow in the new year,
Bonnie
P.S. Keep a journal or a list of your blessings and gratitudes. You’ll be amazed how this is the key to creating more of what you want for the new year. Although at times it’s tough and you may feel like you’ve been working at it for awhile (but it will get easier) remember that these blessings and gratitudes are the seeds for change, and seeds need time to grow. Sometimes change is already in the process of happening and we simply aren’t aware of it. This practice keeps the progression moving. I know I felt like I have been doing this all year. But I know that continuing to look at my blessings and asking for new perspectives will shape the new year in a wonderful way. Happy Thanksgiving! I am grateful to each of you, my readers! Post any thoughts, insights or miracles that come to your awareness.