Giving Thanks

This weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving, which for many people (me included) means gorging ourselves on as much turkey, stuffing, gravy, and pumpkin pie as our poor little stomachs can handle.

Thanksgiving is mostly celebrated in Canada and the United States on different dates in the fall (from what I know).  Its origins are a mix of Native and European traditions.  But without going into a lengthy history lesson Thanksgiving was originally a holiday to communally celebrate the end of a successful harvest and share its bounty with one another.

It has morphed a bit to more of a commercial state over the years but I like to think that some of that original magic and communal sharing wasn't lost over time.  Families still get together to celebrate, although many of us don't participate in a harvest anymore, it still is a celebration and oppurtunity for a great feast.



But hopefully admist this wonderful bounty you each took a minute or two to reflect on what you are thankful for, keeping the spirit of thanksgiving alive.    Some families go around the room and each share one thing they are thankful for whereas others give thanks privately.

Although times have changed, so too can our reasons for giving thanks.  But it is still important to take those few minutes whether publically or privately to give thanks for something.  I think this is an extremely important exercise that shouldn't be taken lightly.  Really take the time to reflect and come up with one thing you are truly thankful for. 

A list of things you are thankful for is great, but to me it just means you didn't spend enough time reflecting on what you are most thankful for.  So I thought with the spirit of the weekend we could all go around this "table so to speak" and say what one thing we are most thankful for this year in the comments section.

For me it is quite simple, I am thankful to be alive. 2 years ago this wouldn't have even been in my thought process of what to give thanks for but I have been reminded over the past two years that our lives are a fragile thing and there was a distinct possiblity I wouldn't even be around to celebrate this thanksgiving.

So what is the one thing above all else that you are thankful for on this weekend of giving thanks?

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