Our theme was Thanksgiving! We looked briefly at the history of Thanksgiving, talked about what being culturally appropriate means, what are ways we and our families celebrate Thanksgiving (special foods, traditions, etc), and how we can incorporate being "Thankful" into our daily lives.
After a brief meditation, we looked at the history of Thanksgiving introduced by Abraham Lincoln who used the theme of Pilgrims and Indians eating happily together because he was trying to calm things down during the Civil War when people were divided. Historically Native Americans (or Indigenous people or First Nations) have celebrated being thankful at many different times during the year with various ceremonies pertaining to their cultural or tribal traditions.
We talked about the difference between "cultural appropriation" and "cultural appreciation" We also talked about being thankful and how many humans who recognize a greater spirit than themselves, say "Thank you" in some formal way or tradition. We each shared some ways our families had or do celebrate Thanksgiving.
We have been talking about "Healing" as a major theme this month (healing others- ask first how can I help you?) and healing ourselves. We shared some comforting ways that we "heal ourselves" or make ourselves feel better when we are sad, sick or just need comfort such as hot chocolate, warm blanket, favorite music or book or a cuddle with your sweet pet.
Last we shared the following poem about how we might make EACH DAY a celebration or "fiesta":
"the invitation is...
to make each day of our life,
a fiesta, a party
a constant joy!
Every time we wake up-
it's the beginning of this party!
How we receive the day,
how we receive the first meal,
how we do our chores-
these are all a continuation of our party."
-Don Alberto Taxo
We were all VERY THANKFUL to have spent time together today and wish others a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving EVERY DAY!!
