As we approach Thanksgiving, I shudder to think where this year has gone. One minute our nation was shocked when a global pandemic hit close to home…and the next minute we are making plans for the Holiday season. Granted, this year will be quite different for so many due to Covid but for others, it may remain the same tempo as in years past.
Although gratitude and generosity should be ingredients for everyday living, Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down – if for just one day – to come together as a family, community, nation and universe to remember and be thankful for our Blessings. As I have gotten older, I have realized that practicing this grace on a more regular basis makes a positive difference in our otherwise hectic lives. Living a life of generosity and gratitude not only changes the frequency of your environment but raises the vibration of your existence…your purpose in life. As a fire sign, grace often times eluded my grasp. However, thru life experiences and aging process, I have learned that holding onto the negative aspects of our journey, one is not truly available to be present in the beautiful moments that are given to us. To be in the present moment provides energy to the body, mind and spirit which in turns opens one up to the endless opportunities to receive and give.
About a week ago I sustained an agonizing pinched nerve. Much to my disappointment and to that of others, I don’t have an exciting story to share on how it happened. I simply went to get up out of bed upon awakening and found the sky falling when I took my first few steps towards the bedroom door. When I recognized the dreaded but familiar symptoms, my immediate thought was “oh dear God, what have I done to deserve this evil karma?”
The last time this overwhelming pain occurred was during a camping trip with the family. I distinctly remember the year and date, as it coincided with G-8 summit in our hometown. Since most of the locals decided to vacate during this time, we chose to go camping. Anyone who knows me well, knows this is one of my favorite past times. Although, upgrades have taken place since, we had a pop-up camper at the time. However, on this particular trip, both tiny humans decided to climb into my crawl space to sleep. When I awoke the next morning, I found hands and feet plastered in my face and my body contorted into positions I did not know were humanly possible. The next two weeks would take their final toll, until I made a proclamation that I will sleep in a tent on the ground before I stuff myself into such small quarters again with two monkeys.
Back to present day…this has been the most excruciating pain I have encountered since that camping trip in 2008. After one day off from work and daily visits to the chiropractor, there was no improvement or hope in sight. I finally deemed that I would rather birth another child than endure the painful plight of a pinched nerve. When my chiropractor (who has two young children) heard this alarming remark, she immediately handed me one of her spare TENS units to take with me until I started to feel improvements. I am not certain whether she realized the seriousness behind my statement or whether I was outwearing my welcome that generated her concern…lol!
So, after a week of frying in the electric chair, taking horse tranquillizers, rotating ice and heat, sitting on pins and needles at my desk, trying to find comfortable positions while sleeping…I found myself succumbing to numbness. While I have a pretty strong threshold for pain and I am not normally one to give in to self pity, I found myself unable to maintain the positivity and gratitude that I once found easily obtainable. Additionally, I do not handle idleness well but the inability to move about in a carefree fashion with the wind at my back prohibited any profound productivity during my time of incapacitation.
One week to this day after the unfortunate misstep and enduring boot camp hell, I was sitting in the electric chair and suddenly realized that of all times, this is when I need to reinforce positive energy. I spent the remaining 25 minute session being thankful for my health (what remains of it), sunrise and sunsets, my family, family traditions, my carbon copies (tiny humans) my friends estate, music, each new day, laughter, humor, love, romance, deep connections, sunshine, books, warm fires, warm clothes, stars, moon, hugs, art, flowers, pets, memories, home, career, food, coffee, warm water, modern conveniences, etc.
This Thanksgiving…whether we will be social distancing or coming together to honor our Blessings, commune with your loved ones with a fresh perspective. Even if you are only capable of providing paper towels for this Holiday gathering, it is the intimacy of family bonds and honoring traditions that carry through the generations as it was established by our ancestors. You may even discover that family members are relieved that they will not have to sit thru dinner and pretend to know what your inedible contribution is… or worse… pretend to find your preparation to their liking…lol!
Until next time…Happy Thanksgiving!
Homestead Memoirs 