Do not see all the wrong things of this year and how different it is. See instead all the things that are good in spite of 'all things' 2020

 Happy Blessed Thanksgiving from, Rick, Kellie and Herbs & Things

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. 

~Thornton Wilder~

~MY VIEW FROM THE VALLEY~

I've notice, over the past few weeks, it's like many want to by-pass the idea, or event of Thanksgiving, as visual and audial moved the focus from Halloween right into Christmas. 

I do get it though. To many small businesses are still trying to recoup after shut downs, people are still trying to get back on their feet, only to have the rug pulled out again. Some are still coping with losses of family, friends, a pet, jobs, homes,  the American way of life. Far to many can't afford to buy groceries, pay their mortgages or bills and the list can go on. With out question this is a sad thing to see or experience. Thus many can't see what there is to be Thankful for amidst  all of this, other than 2020 is over soon and 2021 will be better. So for many, if we move right into Christmas and maybe skip the thankful season it will diminish the fear, angst, and frustration we are feeling and our expectations won't be deluded again

But...2020 a year and a Thanksgiving like no other, in its frustrating manner, can bring in a new level of thankfulness, even though it may be a Thanksgiving accented with depleted expectations, worries, and even anger.

Being thankful in the midst of turmoil, loss, anger and sadness, is good for the body, soul and mind. 
This does not mean you cannot be sad, angry or frustrated, it's OK to feel all of that, but because being thankful brings a whole different perspective that sheds light on so much, ultimately the moment spent in thanks can find the good within the bad.

2020, if you look close has taught and made so many of us see how much and what there is to be Thankful for; lessons we should not dismiss or throw away because it's been, to say the least, a difficult year in more ways than anyone could imagine.

Because this year is do different in many ways, maybe if we start reflecting on what Thanksgiving originally was suppose to be about and apply this to the year 2020 it may give more light on many things.
as quoted by the Farmers Almanac, 

Thanksgiving is rooted in the autumnal harvest celebrations held for centuries by indigenous peoples to celebrate the season’s bounty, or After European settlers arrived in the early 17th century, communities in Massachusetts and Virginia separately came together similarly to give thanks for their continued survival and the fertility of their fields. The “first” Thanksgiving is typically attributed to the feast shared between the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the people of the Wampanoag tribe. A feast lasting 3 days between 2 very different peoples.

With this in mind, often our thanksgiving feast  and celebration forms around the hustle bustle of baking, cooking, who to invite. the making of the perfect dinner, most of which is purchased at a store. When we finally sit down to eat, thankfulness is dimmed and dinner revolves around eating turkey, pie and watching football and sometimes forgetting the real meaning of it, which is giving Thanks of what we have at this time; blessings, big and small, even though they may be speckled within the obstacles, we've received through the year. Giving Thanks is shedding light  on those speckles  amid the obstacles.

Then comes the year of 2020 and the way you prepare for Thanksgiving and giving thanks is very different. Maybe for the first time in a long time just the way you look at  your Thanksgiving dinner is seen in a whole new perspective of Thanks.

Such as, maybe in your 2020 Thanksgiving, some of what is on your dinner table is from your garden or something you learned to can or dehydrate; a special something to be thankful for?
As you look at your table you remember the joy of your garden and the gifts off the vines, the suns warmth and breeze that touched your skin; were you able to share some of your harvest with someone? This is something to be thankful for.
Were you at the receiving end of this garden sharing? This is something to be Thankful for.
Maybe the turkey, chicken or ham in the center of your table is what you raised; something to be thankful for? 
Are the herbs and spices used to make this dinner tasty and aromatic, grown with your care and love? Something to be Thankful for.
Is the bread, pies or desserts, on your table or you are sharing, home made because in 2020, you learned to make bread from scratch or make pie crust like grandma did, or create that very different dessert that Aunt Nelly made; lessons you learned this year? Something to be thankful for. 
Maybe you are having a smaller dinner but still with some family...still something to be thankful for.
Maybe all of your family and friends, so far have been safe from Covid, or if some one did get it they survived... something to be Thankful for.

Maybe you've decided to dine alone or with just a couple people and have chosen not have or attend the big traditional family dinner and even though you may not be able to spend the day face to face, around the table, you can still be thankful that you can still let your family and friends know, in  a big or small way, that you love and are thankful for them, because of modern technology. Whether via Phone,  Zoom,  Face-time, Texting, Emailing,  Skyping, in a Prayer, or what ever, looking at the bigger picture, you'll find you really do have something within this chaotic year of 2020 and at this moment to be thankful for.

Today, tomorrow, next week, next month and next year, set aside your worries, or frustrations of 2020, and look back over the year, the obstacles and what and where ever it brought  you,  the good and bad and be thankful for what you have learned, the wisdom you have gained, and the new deeper appreciation of so many things you may have taken for granted before. 

When giving thanks in this 2020 Thanksgiving, do not see all the wrong things of this year and how different it is...see instead all the things that are good in spite of 'all things' 2020.

Me...I have much to be thankful for. Beyond my husband, home, gardens, family and friends, what I have to be  most thankful for is YOU.
All of YOU.

Thank YOU for reading my ramblings. Thank YOU for trusting me enough to allow me into your world. Thank YOU for stopping in to Herbs & Things. Thank YOU for helping me and others in keeping the light of hope, faith, healing alive in the heart and soul of you, others, and Mother Earth. Thank you for staying  connected to Mother Earth and working to keep yours and others Divine source in tact.

Thank you for my bountiful harvest of love, insights and earthly, spiritual, and starlit energy I've received over the years from all of YOU.

So I say, Love to you all, and may you all be blessed with many things to be thankful for, all draped in health, love and happiness as well as a little snarkieness, just to let 2020 know it did not get the best of YOU and try as hard as it has, you are still thankful. :)

Nature Always Wears the Color of Spirit 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

with much love and blessings
BE safe, be Well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie
+
Herbs & Things

Do not fear resting. Rest can create wisdom. Rest is good for the soul, body and mind

 

Nov 4th-11th 2020
Medicine Helper & Messenger

Larch Tree

You will emerge rested and wiser, rested and grounded, rested and ready for the next step

 

Larch Trees are part of the pine tree family and pine tree generally speaks of creativity, peace and harmony, but Larch also brings its own medicine and message beyond the generality of Pine.

Larch Trees can stand 40-100+ foot tall and though  they bring medicine like their fellow conifer pine tree,  Larch brings something a little different because it is also a deciduous tree, loosing its yellow needles in the fall.

This loosing of the needles, speaks to you, of, even though you loose your needles and you enter a rest time, does not mean you still don't stall tall and strong. This is a quality you do not loose with the medicine of Larch.

The fact Larch looses or sheds its needles, brings the message to you, it is time for you to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect. To take this time to allow yourself to drop or shed all those worries, weights and problems, and go within as well as reconnect to Earth.

It's been a busy year, mentally, emotionally and physically and as the yellow needles fall, it indicates as you allow your worries or burdens to fall and as you step into the dark, you will reconnect to Earth where you will feel safe, still strong,  and receive some well deserved rest.

The yellow needles not only represent your burdens and worries falling away but also represents you are taking the sun with you as you enter the stage of rest, thus always having access to the light. With this access to light,  when you decide to reemerge, you can bring the sun with you.

Because Larch Tree canopy is often sparse, this indicates to you, you have the abilities to see the larger picture and what the world  has to offer; not only around you but in you. Larch speaks of the ancestors of the whole world are at your disposal when needed, to you know what you need is not out of reach as it is always with you both above and at ground level.

Larch brings the message to you today,  you are entering new dimensions of thoughts, feelings and knowing. You can feel this happening and it's a bit scary from this new height of 'seeing', but Larch that grows to great heights is showing you with the heighten thoughts, feelings and knowing, and  the fact you can see a world that seems to be of spinning out of control, you are not to worry, as this more mature you is stronger and can connect to your core, the core of who you are and you will not spin out of control.

Your core is your soul, and your soul knows that though things have been a bit difficulties in many areas, that this has been only a moment in your time and that this time is passing.

Larch speaks to you today that it's time to drop your needles, rest, rejuvenate and reconnect to who you really are and as you reconnect to your core beliefs,  honor where you have been, let any wounds acquired along the way to heal, as they have made you stronger, wiser and better able to withstand winds of what ever comes.

Because Larch looses its needles over winter, indicates to you, embrace the dark, and allow this down time to show you your history; Not only your recent history but that of those from before you. Learn from theirs and your mistakes, look at the details, retrace your steps and then move forward knowing you will not make the same mistakes again.

Enter this time also knowing that any mistake were indeed not mistakes but paths to take you to the next intersection on your journey and by connecting to the wisdom and lessons of your 'mistakes' you have been made wiser.

Larch with its fallen needles of yellow, show you as you connect to Earth at this dark time, not to worry, for the sun is still there, and Larch, The Sun and Earth are all with you even as you rest to nurture your soul, mind and body until your are ready to regrow your new 'needles' and emerge back into the light. Once you 'open' your eyes after your rest, you see the better in it for taking the time to rest and connect to the Earth. 

Close your eyes, stand with Larch, watch its needles fall. Hear and feel the wisdom, the grounding, the Divine connection  of Larch and Mother Earth, and then 'hear' the wise words " Resting does not mean giving up. Resting is readying for the next part of your journey. Take your deserved Rest and be ready for the next step." 

Heed these  Wise words from Nature and Creator.
 

Love and blessings always, Creator and Nature

Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Love you all
Kellie
+
Herbs & Things