What to do with Thanksgiving 2020
This is the week when I’d usually write something about how gratitude is one of the highest vibrational emotions we can experience. And about how when we say thank you we’re giving a huge ‘thumbs-up’ to the Universe. I’d teach yoga classes full of students ready to open their hearts by seeing the goodness in their busy lives. But, obviously, this year is different.
THANKSGIVING 2020
To say this Thanksgiving is not what we expected is an understatement. To say this Thanksgiving is unlike any we have ever experienced is truer than true. To say that it’s a challenge to know what to do with oneself and how to integrate such a strange Thanksgiving is putting it lightly.
Humans are wired for connection. Thanksgiving is THE holiday where connection gets wired in with gratitude and food for the ultimate trifecta: connection, food, & gratitude. And if that doesn’t have you feeling good by Thursday night, it’s also a vessel filled with generations of family ritual.
Without the normal family gatherings and rituals you may be feeling sad, angry, irritable, or listless. Feeling that way is completely reasonable, given the circumstances.
At the same time, because things are so different, we are given the opportunity to approach this weekend in a new and conscious way. A way that will support and nourish you rather than keep you feeling negative.
A RITUAL for THIS Year
This year I recommend taking a sacred pause during the Thanksgiving weekend.
To making something sacred, you set it aside, you mark it as special. So for a sacred pause you don’t just stop what you’re doing for 10 seconds and then go on with your day. No, you specifically set time apart in your day and use it in an intentional way.
A SACRED PAUSE
In the sacred pause you have the chance to be with whatever is arising.
That may mean that you take time to feel and acknowledge your sadness that this year isn’t normal. It may mean that you experience great relief that you aren’t with those people who usually drive you bonkers. It may mean that you feel a mix of deep gratitude for all that has been supportive this year, and grief at all that has been lost.
You can’t possibly know what will come up when you take the time for a sacred pause. But you can know that whatever arises is what wishes to be seen, heard, felt, acknowledged -- and set free. Once you listen to and express your thoughts and feelings, they will move through you and OUT.
On the other side of sacred pause is peace.
TAKING A SACRED PAUSE
Here is a suggestion for how to take a sacred pause. Feel free to mix it up and add your own ideas.
Create a Sacred Space - this doesn’t have to be fancy. do something simple: light a candle, sing a song, or wrap up in a beautiful wrap.
Invite Others to Join you or Kindly Invite them to Leave you Alone - Sacred space needs respect, a stop sign on the door can help others know you’re in a sacred pause.
Set an Intention - What do you plan to do with your sacred pause? It can be something like : I intend to listen to my heart or I intend to witness my feelings. Write it down or speak it aloud.
Be with Yourself - You might choose to journal, meditate, cry, sing, dance, or do it all or do nothing while you’re in your sacred pause. The most important thing is to acknowledge what you’re feeling. Follow your inspiration and let it flow
Gratitude - When you’re finished, wrap up by offering gratitude to who or whatever inspires you. Thank yourself. Thank the stars. Thank your feelings. Thank your ancestors. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It never gets old.
Close Your Space - Mark the end of your pause. Blow out the candle, or take off your shawl.
Take Care of Yourself - If sacred pause opened up new pathways in your heart you may feel tired afterwards. Give yourself what you need. Take care with a warm bath or a talk with a friend.
IN GRATITUDE
I wish I were writing a normal “Remember Gratitude” post inviting you to slow down and look for the blessings in your life this year. But since it’s not in the cards, I invite you to slow down anyway, and have a sacred pause.
As long as you’re stirred up and running away from your feelings, you won’t feel peaceful. But lingering in the pause, allowing yourself to feel and acknowledge whatever arises may be just thing to help you open up. When you’re open, gratitude will naturally flow.
I am truly grateful that you choose to journey in this lifetime with me. We’re in this together. May we all experience peace this holiday season.