This week, there are a wide range of ways we might be observing the Thanksgiving holiday. Some are celebrating with family or friends, either as hosts or as guests. Some are having a special meal in a restaurant. Some are not celebrating at all, for a variety of reasons including those who express solidarity with indigenous people by framing it as Thanksgrieving rather than Thanksgiving.

However we observe the Thanksgiving holiday—whether or not we observe it at all—we each have an opportunity to reflect on what we are grateful for.

This feels especially important in a time when we may be focused on other feelings, such as worry or fear about the future. It might feel hard to tap into gratitude.

For years now, I have considered gratitude one of my primary spiritual practices—a way of staying connected to what is good even if it sometimes feels like the good things are smaller than the bad ones.

Right now, I am grateful for the circles of community that are a source of resilience and joy in my life. Those circles include my family, my close friends, my ministerial colleagues, a writing group, and this congregation.

I hope you each have multiple circles of community in which you feel held, and things for which you feel grateful in good times and bad.

 

With love and gratitude,

Rev. Diana