Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Thanksgiving Day
The First Thanksgiving, painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930)
Today is Thanksgiving Day and despite all that we may complain about in the world today, there is a lot to be thankful for. I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving Day, not only in America but everywhere. I really don't know why Britain and other countries do not participate in this celebration as to do so is such a great thing and may even take some of the pressure off Christmas which, particularly in Britain, has lost its whole meaning as a Christian event to become simply a shopping fest. But isn't it great to have some time off and share love with family and friends? Who needs a special day to do that? We can do it every day!
I think we should all have a Thanksgiving Day as its background is not particularly unique to the US. The tradition associates the holiday with a meal held in 1621 by the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual one-day holiday to give thanks (traditionally to God) for the things one has at the close of the harvest season when families and friends usually gather for a large meal or dinner. This results in Thanksgiving holiday weekend being one of the busiest travel periods of the year. And while the main celebration usually focuses around a wonderful traditional meal of turkey and trimmings, other events including many parades. But the majority of countries have a harvest, so it's not unreasonable idea for everyone to celebrate what we have received.
So, being British and not having a special event to enjoy today other than meeting a dozen clients for Alexander Technique lessons, I give thanks in my own small way for all the wonderful things we have; things that can so easily be taken for granted.
Despite not having a Thanksgiving Day, I'm grateful for my health, the love of my family and friends, for our home and all the little things that make life comfortable. I'm sure you are too. Also for our food and clothes that we can take for granted, the hands to write with, to play the violin even if they do so out of tune occasionally! For the cat, dog and budgie that provide company and fun, the chance to escape into the country, for the peacefulness of the early morning when the sun casts long shadows and dissolves the mist and melts the frost to dew. I'm grateful for all the wonderful and interesting people who come to me as clients. It's my privilege and honour to work with them.
Gratitude is a wonderful emotion to find in ourselves as it raises our sense of happiness, contentment and well-being. It is positive energy that extends beyond us to those around and helps make life enjoyable. Gratitude raises our emotional level so we attract towards us what we really do want rather than what we do not. What we think is what we get. Gratitude for what we have brings more of the same. And so with with good feelings pervading my persona, I will now go and meet more clients today and hopefully extend the good feeling.
If you're celebrating, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and if you are not celebrating, then have a wonderful thanksgiving day.
:-)
