Inspiring Thoughts November 2008

Want to keep up to date with all of our Inspiring Thoughts Posts?

A Recipe for Thanks-Giving November 23, 2008

We have arrived at that time of year that inspires us to give thanks. It is

a time of families, friends, planning gifts, surprises and homemade recipes to

warm the heart and express our gratitude and love. There are hours of preparation

with days of previous planning and usually more food than we can comfortably

eat. It seems sad that we need to designate a time to do all of this and often

the saddest part is that the gratitude and love is the only thing missing.

I believe that this time of year should only serve as a reminder that we should

celebrate love every day of the year. In our busy schedules, we have often lost

the tradition of gathering together with family and friends over a daily meal.

When we prompt ourselves to remember back to those special traditions our

families kept, we may actually feel the true meaning this all brings.

As we choose to gather each day with the intent of sharing our love

and friendship, we are bringing an offering to share the day’s events and

how we felt about it. It gives each person that one time of day to relax,

feel at home and get in touch with what they are truly feeling.

To accomplish the most when a family gathers around a meal, try enlisting

the children to set the table and assist in the preparation of the food.

Plan a table setting that includes some of your favorite crystal, china,

a centerpiece, lit candles, softer lighting and an atmosphere for relaxation.

This builds confidence in the children by telling them they are worthy of

your special attention. Simple meals work just as well with some fresh

fruit in a unique bowl for the centerpiece. To add more focus on this occasion,

make a commitment that all electronic entertainment is turned off! This is a

time to build a safe haven for truth-bearing conversation and making

your own entertainment.

The final step is the most important. Make your intention an offering of

thanks before eating. Create the habit that you hold hands and thank

each other for spending this time together. By expressing your gratitude

for the food on the table and the people around it, you enhance the

nourishment of the food down to the molecular structure. A personal prayer

of thanks directed to the food is really a prayer of thanks for bringing you

altogether to share in that meal and the food responds with gratitude!

Often, time is of the essence, so make the preparation and clearing

time part of the whole purpose of togetherness. It builds a concept that

working together and sharing your feelings is a comforting thing to do.

I promise you that this daily time will become the warmest memories that

represent the feelings of love and gratitude.

If this sounds too difficult because families often have different scheduling

or it is just the two of you or just you alone, then use this as your guide

and encouragement to create new habits. Make this a priority and try to

plan everything else around this time, instead of this being the last

consideration or not doing it at all.

Ask yourself the question about how you are spending your time. Are

you happy with the way you have allowed life to plan the way you

spend it instead of you making the decisions? Have you allowed too many

outside commitments to take priority or is one person’s schedule consuming

the rest of the family’s time? No matter what your personal life

situations are, you may want to give thought to incorporating some

of these ideas or simply setting aside one day a week to create this special gathering.

In conclusion, I put the question to all of us. Is this a time to celebrate

one meal to give thanks or is this the reminder of what we should be

doing everyday? These are some simple suggestions to give thought to

and then watch the real differences it may make throughout your family.

The world is presenting us with some major challenges and the return

to some of the customs of old may give us true food and nourishment

for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

I would like to extend my love and gratitude to all of you for all the

nourishment I have received as you have welcomed me to be part of

your lives. It is a privilege and an honor to be part of this extended family

that reaches throughout the world. It is my intent to continue to gather, feed

and nourish the souls of each one of you in the hopes that you will share it

with your family and friends. I am sending you a radiant beam of love,

gratitude, compassion, peace and joy to place at the center of your table

for your daily gathering and building of new memories.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Many blessings, love and light,
Joyce

Archived Avana Method Inspiring Thoughts

Want to read more Inspiring Thoughts?
Click below to read our archived writings

Archived Inspiring Thoughts