Acceptance as an Appetizer for Thanksgiving

Through practice, I’ve come to see that the deepest source of my misery is not wanting things to be the way they are.  Not wanting myself to be the way I am.  Not wanting the world to be the way it is.  Not wanting others to be the way they are.  Whenever I’m suffering, I find this war with reality to be at the heart of the problem.”  -Stephen Cope

This is the season of Thanksgiving and everyone is expected to bury all the things that are bothering them and just focus on that for which you are grateful. 

Ugh!  This might explain why everyone eats and drinks so much on Thanksgiving – all those squashed feelings
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Now don’t get me wrong – I have a list of things I am thankful for – but I also have things that I am unhappy about.
 
Like feeling sad that I am unable to share the upcoming holiday with certain living (and passed) loved ones.
 
Holiday memories can be helpful and hurtful at the same time.  This is where staying in the moment, and accepting things as they are can morph a sad moment into a more peaceful one.

Are there things you can accept about yourself, your friends/family and the world that could bring you more peace this holiday?
 
I am trying to accept that I will not be with my children for Thanksgiving again because they will be with my ex.  And although I have no desire to take a plane to rural Florida for the holiday – I would rather be with them anywhere - then be without them.
 
But this is my life now.  I am divorced, I am a single mother and my life and holiday experiences have changed as a result.  Some for the worse and some for the better. 

Accepting where I am, in this moment, has been an excellent appetizer for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Setting an intention of contentment during yoga practice has helped me find some peace - when otherwise I would have squashed my negative feelings.  Now maybe I can genuinely focus on what I am thankful for this year. 

Last Thanksgiving I was also without my kids - and to work through my sadness - I took a Gratitude yoga class at a local yoga studio.  Then I spent my first Thanksgiving with my boyfriend and a friend’s family that had also experienced a tumultuous year.

This year I will be teaching a Gratitude yoga class at the West Chester YMCA Airport Road branch (8 AM Thursday).  And I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner with aforementioned boyfriend and his family. 

Some things have definitely changed for the better - and for that I am truly thankful.

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  - Reinhold Niebuhr

​Wishing you and yours a peaceful and joyous Thanksgiving!!