Ever have something show up, right in front of you, over and over (and over) again?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve started to write about gratitude several times and then, in the creative pauses, found myself reading, hearing or being given books around this message instead.  Instead of ignoring it, I am listening and passing it along to you.

Those floating in the river will recognize it.
Those who don’t, I invite you in.
We have spare life jackets.

From the Elders of the Hopi Nation
Oraibi, Arizona

To my fellow swimmers:

There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift,
that there are those who will be afraid,
who will try to hold on to the shore.
They are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.

Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore,
push off into the middle of the river,
and keep our heads above water.

And I say see who is there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history we are to take nothing personally,
least of all ourselves, for the moment we do,
our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
For we are the ones we have been waiting for.

In searching for why God kept sending me this message over the weeks prior to Thanksgiving, I realize that the grace and truth in these words sum up how life has felt over the past few years. Change has been deep and I have walked through much of it holding faith by one hand and fear by the other.

Yet, when I let go of the shore and see the beautiful souls floating around me, I find myself releasing my grip on fear and being

Held by love,
Propelled by excitement,
Energized by meaning,
Surrounded by brilliance, and
Filled with a huge helping of gratitude.

Thank you!

In Truth & With Love,

 photo credit:  stereohype

Happy Thanksgiving!

Or Happy Black Friday if you read this tomorrow.

Or Happy Holidays if it's later than that...

The daily tip this morning from www.RealSimple.com made me laugh.

"Thanksgiving is America's national chow-down feast, the one occasion each year when gluttony becomes a patriotic duty."
―Michael Dresser

While I no longer like the physical feeling of stuffing myself like the turkey, I love the idea that it's my "duty" to anticipate, eat and enjoy a really joyful meal.  Guilt free before, during and after.

Better than having this permission for one meal is having permission for every meal.  With this permission, I lost the need to overeat today.  I won't be guilt-induced deprivation dieting tomorrow.  Or after the holidays.  Or ever again.

Freedom.

I'm grateful for this mental freedom.

I'm also grateful for my family and the time spent laughing with them.  As I type this, I'm watching my son, nephew and mom play Dino-opoly as my daughter surfs Facebook.  My dad, brother and husband are upstairs watching Texas football.  Yep... I am blessed.

You are on my gratitude list today too.  Thanks for sharing your time.

I hope you had a happy, full-of-gratitude kind of day.

ps - For those wondering about Grandmomma Mac's pecan pie... we're saving that for Christmas.  Yum!