In the wee hours of the morning, I was making final touches to the Thanksgiving table while the words thanksgiving and giving thanks were present with me. I am so thankful for so much in my life… my family and friends. I felt so full and thankful for this amazing world and all its wonder.

Yes, I felt thankful for everything. I paused and heard, “Everything… hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, mass murders, nuclear threats, and pipelines.” It came to me that if I was thankful for this whole amazing world, I must be thankful for fear and suffering.

I plunked myself down in a chair, filling with guilt. There are so many suffering. Then I heard, “It’s not about what they don’t have, it’s about what they do have.”

Life offers opportunities for growth, some first hand, some to learn from a distance. The true growth is in each “Being’s” choices. Even in the most difficult of times, there are choices.

How to help yourself and others? Have an open heart in all manner of occurrences. Do not judge against any measure. Listen, stand in the present, with or at a distance with those who struggle, and hold the space with love. If we all could do this we could come together more quickly. We are all one.

And you are not alone.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I love you all,
Jane