Beyond Giving Thanks

A day full of turkey and remembrance is over. I hope you had a lovely gathering and a delicious meal, and that the table conversation turned to thoughts of gratitude.

What would it feel like to feel as much gratitude every day as we feel on Thanksgiving?  

Well, until recently, that’s what I thought I was doing.

A while ago, a young student wrote to ask me about my healing practice. She was very concerned about competition. Here’s what I told her:

I find Competition an interesting concept, because, as a Reiki practitioner, my "mission" is to bring Reiki energy to as many people as I can. If I can teach them how to use Reiki to bring themselves back into balance, I am delighted — even if I lose them as a regular client. There is enough abundance to go around, just as there is enough Reiki energy available to serve every living thing. I’m not making a killing with that philosophy, but I sleep well, have abundant energy, find kindness and synchronicity in most of my interactions, and somehow the bills get paid.

Thing is, last month, for the first time, the bills almost didn’t get paid. I felt myself nearly paralyzed by fear, and I wasn’t sleeping well — waking at 4 am with dire worries about losing my home and having nowhere to go. I even began thinking about who would take care of my pets if I jumped off a bridge.

In the end, however, everything got paid; I didn’t even incur any late fees.

So I was just beginning to feel calm and secure again when my car died — gave up the ghost right in downtown traffic. I had it towed to the repair shop, and got a short-term rental so I could complete all my appointments. At first I didn’t think of this calamity as an opportunity, but it has become one.

The next day the garage called to say the car needed a completely new engine. I realized it was time for a different car — at 308,500 miles, that one had served me long enough.

I knew I couldn’t afford much, but I started looking — and there were actually working vehicles in my price range! Friends were emailing me suggestions, and it was getting exciting. And scary — how quickly could I find a car before the rental fees became exorbitant?

Then, a huge gift: a friend offered me use of her spare car for as long as I needed it. Suddenly I could breathe again! And I realized yet again how blessed I am to be surrounded by kind people with generous hearts.

So what can I do to open up my own heart and give back — or pay forward — what my friends have done for me?

In one respect, I’m already doing it: I’m offering free sessions using the new healing modality I’m learning, Jin Shin Jyutsu. [If you’re interested in taking part, please email me for an appointment.]

But beyond that, how can I translate my gratitude into acts of kindness each day?

On Friday, November 29, the 5th annual National Day of Listening, we are encouraged to record stories for posterity. Even simpler than that is just listening to our loved ones. How often do we do that? I, for one, am grateful for the opportunity to keep my mouth shut and my ears open.

And the rest of the week, and next? I intend to begin each day with gratitude, and trust that I will find a way to share kindness before the day is over. What will you do? I welcome your comments.