A Second Thanksgiving...

11/25/2010

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When I wrote about our Canadian Thanksgiving earlier, I was focussed on taking the time to reflect upon all we have for which to be grateful. And of course that is a valuable thing to do ~ every day.

Today is Thanksgiving for our neighbours to the south and as I ruminated upon it, my mind came at it from a broader perspective. I am one who embraced new technology early on. Just yesterday my kids gave me a new Kindle. It was supposed to be a Christmas present –indeed it still is - but fate intervened and it came to me early. I am beyond excited about the possibilities of this gadget. I was fortunate enough to get a smart phone this summer and intend to buy an ipad when the next generation comes out. With just one click of a button or tap of a finger I can access unlimited wonders. Yesterday I received by email a YouTube video which was so uplifting I posted it to Facebook. The whole thing took only minutes.

Today I am grateful that we have developed the technology which enables us to think and to be as One World. Today we communicate not only in words, voice and static pictures, but also in video, and this communication reaches everywhere humans exist. Though of course there are still areas where the technology is not readily available, still it is amazing just how far the reach is. When I visited Thailand several years ago everyone it seemed, even those living on the streets, carried mobile phones. Soon enough most will have tablets with built-in worldwide WiFi coverage. Soon enough we will see outside our limited vision and begin to think as one world community which needs to be nurtured by all.

That I believe is the promise of technology. It may seem funny coming from a writer but I believe these new forms of instant communication will bring Humans together in a way that has never been before. Could it be then that peace will finally come to the World. Imagine the expansion we could accomplish when that happens.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Also posted to the Red Room

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Canadian Thanksgiving

10/10/2010

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October 11 is Thanksgiving day in Canada, a time to reflect on all our blessings. A day to sit with a piece of paper and pen and list everything we have for which to be grateful.

Many traditions of Thanksgiving have evolved over the entire history of humans, usually involving a sharing of wealth, be it a bountiful harvest, a generous hunt or a successful trade. Some traditions simply wish to thank a mystical something greater than themselves for a mate, a healthy newborn baby, perhaps mild or dry weather in time for the building of a new dwelling to protect them from the coming snows. Our ancestors knew to stop and take the time to give thanks. To gather up and celebrate the small graces.

Here in the Pacific Northwest Aboriginals gathered for the potlatch, the main purpose of which was re-distribution of wealth. The prestige of families was distinguished in this way. Their stature was raised by their ability to give away their abundance. Potlatches were made unlawful by Colonial governing bodies of the day because they did not understand the rituals and sacred dancing that went along with the celebrations and thus pronounced them ‘uncivilized’. First Nations continued to hold such meetings in secret for well over a half century until the laws were repealed. Such a travesty, but then European North Americans still claim to have invented the first thanksgiving. They could not have imagined that ‘heathens’ could have such elaborate thanks-giving.

Even if you are not Canadian it might be a good exercise to take stock today and give thanks for what we have, rather than focussing upon how little. Most of us will be pleasantly surprised as we list all our little abundances. We may find we even wish to share them.

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