I remember Sunday school Buddhist teachings when I was growing up to always be grateful. And I am or try to be even when I'm down.
I'm grateful for my family and my friends. I'm grateful for my home and food that is available to us when we want it.
I saw this article on the Spirituality and Health website and it struct a cord. The first lesson they mention is to be grateful for Nothing. No, it's not how you think it sounds. They recommend being grateful for things like not being sick, not losing your job, not living in a war zone. Be grateful that the air you breathe and the water you drink are not contaminated. Be grateful for any kindness shown to you.
So yes... it's a good reminder to just appreciate what you have and not focus on the negative. It's not always easy and requires practice, but I shall do my best.
And now I need to get going on the lup chong stuffing and quesillo (Venezuelan flan) I'm preparing to serve tomorrow. I'm very grateful to my friend, Daisy who taught me how to make it so very many years ago in Illinois. And I'm grateful to Carol who gave me the recipe for the lup chong stuffing with careful instructions before she passed away much too soon. And yes, I'm grateful to Art for always making the traditional pumpkin pie.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm very grateful for every one of you.
Thinking of you and Art and your darling mum as you enjoy your special day
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteBeing grateful for nothing is a good way to put it. Have a good feast and day.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Art's pie looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteYours is the second thing I've read this morning about practicing gratitude in EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of being grateful for nothing. Good idea to still keep a vigilant eye out for the family gathering tomorrow. Enjoy the gathering and all the good food and of course the gratitude.
ReplyDeleteLin Floyd says the same to you. Will have parts of my Utah family together today as my son and his family traveled to st. george and rented a condo to stay in, cook dinner and celebrate together. Our retirement place is too small.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving
ReplyDeleteHappy Turkey Day to you and Art, and Mom. Sooo glad you get to be with family! Art's pie looks wonderful! And we're so thankful for your blog and letting us look into your life in Hawaii. (Is Art making pigeon pie too?) I like being thankful for nothing. My daughter-in-law math teacher got a cold, tested negative for everything, and got better, so gathering for food with her Dad was on. Then my son got the same cold, so we're switching food in their garage, just like curb-side pick-up, so that we oldish folks don't catch anything. Got my #5 covid last Friday, so it's protection doesn't start for another week+, but got my high-dose flu shot earlier. After battling the Type A flu in October, I want nothing for Thanksgiving also! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving Kay (and also to your family)! Your flan sounds delicious ( I love flan or almost any kind of custard). And yes, we need to be thankful (grateful) for the things we do have as well as all the things we don't have that (there but for the grace of God) we could have.
ReplyDeleteYes, the “nots” are good to think about, too. I read a little essay about being grateful for the not so nice things that happen to us, grateful for the lessons learned from them. Something else to think about! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Kay, and to your family.
ReplyDeleteSo true, about being thankful for nothing going wrong in our lives. And being thankful for great recipes, friends, and special pumpkin pies!
ReplyDeleteWe should be grateful for waking up in the morning to a new day.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful thanksgiving with your wonderful family. It sounds exotic. I posted something similar about being thankful for not having the challenges that so many have this year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteIzsmom
Happy eating tomorrow. 16 pounder in the refrigerator with a dry rub all over it. Ready for roasting tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family. We always need to be reminded to appreciate what we have and have not.
ReplyDeleteI love that philosophy! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving 🦃
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay and a happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful every day for all my wonderful online friends. Happy Thanksgiving, to you and yours, Kay!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving. And that pumpin pie looks like a work of art. (Oh dear, that was an unintentional pun!)
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, have a wonderful family time.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Being thankful for nothing is such a good point. With the war in the Ukraine I have been so grateful. I would have been like so many seniors there trapped in caregiving for someone who could not be moved. The sausage stuffing sounds interesting. We make a big pan of chicken and cornbread dressing. I was a teenager when my mother bought our first turkey. No one liked the meat that much but we had a small puppy who climbed into the carcass and growled at anyone who disturbed him with his prize. The dog was Bruno and for the entirety of life he would not eat unless you acted like you were going to take it from him. Life is good.
ReplyDeleteYour words are inspiring and attitude is uplifting dear Kay. I saw a comment by you on one of the my previous posts so I couldn't remember if I could visit you back or not .If not sorry as so much business I had lately due to construction work in the house.
ReplyDeleteI consider thankfulness a greatest virtue and I Loved the way you shared yours here.blessings