A Week of Thanksgiving

This week we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving.  Its probably my favorite holiday, and not just because of the football and food (although that certainly doesn't hurt).  But I enjoy it because I enjoy the reflection that is inherent in giving thanks; it goes to the concept of mindfulness that is so prevalent in Buddhism and that  is appealing to me.  For me, the daily act of being mindful is one of the most challenging, most necessary, and most rewarding acts.  It brings perspective; it brings humility; it brings generosity; it brings compassion.  I find it to be so important for relationships, that the maxim "Be mindful" is truly a daily mantra for me.

In that spirit, each night before we eat our dinner, rather than saying a traditional grace or prayer of thanksgiving, we ask each other, "What are you thankful for today."  I enjoy this ritual because for us (or at least for me), I find that it makes me focus and think critically on each day to find something for which I'm thankful.  Its not about reciting the oft-repeated objects of our thanks such as family and support and food, etc., although that could be something that on that particular day for which I am especially thankful.  Its about being mindful of our day, and those things for which we should be thankful.  Some dinners it is family and the support, others, its the availability of medicine to address a headache or the antics of our dog that makes us laugh.  There is always much for which we should be thankful.

So, I thought, in honor of Thanksgiving, each of my posts this week would reflect on things for which I am thankful; both big and small, the significant and the seemingly banal.

Tonight, I'm thankful for our dog Ellie.  She never fails to be over-the-top excited when I come home from work, which always puts me in a good mood upon arriving home, regardless of the type of day I've had.  The moments where she exhibits complete trust in me, whether it be napping on my lap or sleeping in the crook of the back of my knee during the night, there is such a good, positive feeling from having another being trust you so completely.  The many, many moments where she creates laughter in our household, be it through "hunting" her treats, acting like she is protecting the house with her huffing and puffing and gruffing, or the curious tilts to her head and shifty eyes whenever we have food.  She is always a reminder to me to lighten up and enjoy life.

I'm thankful for technology, and its ability to make my world smaller and allowing me to stay in touch with family and friends who may be great distances away.  I'm thankful for being able to watch whole episodes of "The Daily Show" online, because it never fails to make me laugh.  I'm thankful for the "Instapaper" app as it allows me to better utilize my time in keeping track of stories I wish to read.  I'm thankful that I get to continually play my Mom in "Words with Friends.'