Nov. 24, 2020 — As we head into this holiday, there’s a lot of talk about how different it is and will be. But what if some parts — like the love and gratitude we feel — were the exact wonderful same? Or what if we committed to creating an even more meaningful Thanksgiving than in years past, allowing ourselves to feel more love and gratitude than we ever made room for before?
Considering that we all have a lot on our plates at the moment, here’s a quick and gentle way to start moving into gratefulness mode … inspired by Contributing Cardie Carla Schmitt’s lovely card message above, let’s each find a few minutes to gather our thoughts and send them flying across the miles. It will fill your own heart with gladness, guaranteed.
The following meditation was drawn from Buddhist scholar Sharon Salzberg’s Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness. It will be a stretch for some giving, other-focused Cardies to “Start by spending a few minutes contemplating the goodness within you, and the rightness of your wish to be healthy and happy.” Wow. The goodness within Me. And the rightness of My wish to be healthy and happy. Hmm.
Remembering to breathe, gently repeat phrases chosen to show gratitude to yourself. Something like:
“May I see the goodness in me.”
“May I love myself as much as others love me.”
“May I see and appreciate what they see and appreciate in me.”
“May I feel healthy and happy.”
When you feel good and truly acknowledged by yourself, call to mind someone for whom you feel particularly grateful. “Perhaps visualize them,” Salzberg suggests, “saying their name to yourself. Consider all the different ways they have helped you, or contributed to you or the world, and see the goodness within them.”
Then, seeing that person in your mind’s eye, direct your phrases toward them, sending lovingkindness across the miles …
“May you see the goodness in you.”
“May you love yourself as much as others love you.”
“May you see and appreciate what we see and appreciate in you.”
“May you feel healthy and happy.”
As you repeat the phrases, Salzberg says, stay connected to them and their meaning, as well as a sense of this person for whom you feel grateful. Call to mind as many different people as you wish and feel your heart expand each time you let your sense of gratitude fly to them.
Cardies, may you always see the goodness we see in you. May you love yourself as much as you are loved by others. May you see and appreciate what we see and appreciate in you. May you feel healthy and happy.
Your Grateful Fans at Cardthartic
One of the things I’m most grateful for this Thanksgiving is having been introduced to Cardthartic. Your messages sooth my soul, and your kindness has given me strength and courage.
Thank you so much!