Another Lesson in Gratitude

Of course November is the month we all are asked to take time and reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives.  And of course November is so stinking busy that there is no time to sit and reflect on our blessings because we are preparing a 15 course dinner for our 53 close relatives coming in from out of town next thursday.  I myself obsess over new recipes and ideas for setting the table (i have devoted way too many hours watching food network!).  I think over all the different colors and textures of dishes I want to offer my guests and impress them with a glorious and delicious bounty of tastes that surpass the prior thanksgiving feast! I go to sleep reworking all the possibilities in my mind.  The shopping, the prepping, the planning, hours and days of pulling this whole thing together.  Along with these important tasks, there is the nasty complication of work, my children, a house to maintain and a full on commitment to completing my yoga teacher training.  so, I have now stressed myself to the point where this isn't any fun.  it's work and i've got lots of that to do always. Now, everything gets in the way of everything else. I want to think about cooking, but i have a weekend of yoga training.  I want to focus on yoga, but I need to plan what I'm making for turkey day.  It's all become a big hair pulling disaster and I started to feel sorry for myself with all these now unpleasant things I have to do. That was before the horrific events that happened in Paris.  The tragic loss, the grief and the shock of it slapped me in the face.  What was I stressing about? Why? Life can bring unexpected unpleasant things that I cannot control. It made me stop and think. What do I have here and now? How can I live life to it's fullest now? How can I just be able to appreciate the wonderful people in my life as we are without needing a foodies dream of a thanksgiving meal? These events have a way of pulling us back to what we have in this moment, what we are grateful for and what we don't want to lose.  All my heart desires now is to see my family and friends around my table.  The meal is not what will unite us, its our love for each other.  My grand plans have drifted away from me now and I see a simple meal made with love and ease that we will all be thankful for, because we will be together. It was not the way I thought I would find gratitude this month. It wasn't anyones. And my heart grieves for those who have suffered the loss of those whom they loved…
namaste
yogatiger