Your Thanksgiving ‘G’ List – Better Than Any of Your “To-Do” Lists

As I write this article I am experiencing mixed feelings.  This year I chose to not make myself available to the crazy airport chaos.  So I’ll be missing out on spending Thanksgiving with my folks.  Plus I’ll miss my dad’s birthday.  I am a bit bummed, however, I’ll be here in sunny California, maybe wearing a t-shirt.  I do realize I have an immense amount to be GRATEFUL for.

This will be our first Thanksgiving in our new place.  I’m sure I’ll miss my parents traditional festivities.  On the other hand, I am looking forward to our completely non traditional Thanksgiving, LA Style!  We plan to practice yoga on the rooftop.  For dinner we plan on eating mussels with garlic rosemary fries.

Various people have their thoughts on the meaning of Thanksgiving.  Trust me, I do too.  No matter what, I believe it is the perfect opportunity to simply give thanks.

I have been in the habit of writing ten things a day I am grateful for.  This is the time of year when the atmosphere gets even more hectic.  So I decided to kick up the gratitude meter a notch.  Why?  Because what we focus on is what manifests in our external world.  If your brain is telling you everything sucks, then it will.

The piled on workload, getting the same cold over and over, ticket prices, the shopping frenzy, the holiday parties you are not sure if you want to go to…..It is enough to send one into a head space of constant complaints.  Lets be honest, in the moment complaining can feel fun.

My meditation teacher taught me this simple tool.  When complaints arise, tell them you will have a 5 minute meeting (no longer) with them Friday at 3.  Choose the time that works for your schedule.  Until then, see ya, NOT available.

To counter all of the Holiday madness, I decided to write 36 things I am grateful for.  Thirty six represents the number of years I have been blessed to live the human experience so far. Get your pen and paper, iphone, tablet, grab some toilet tissue if you have to and join me in giving thanks.  Gratitude creates joy, not the other way around.Before we begin, tune in by closing your eyes and taking three deep clearing breaths.  Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. Once more inhale, exhale.

Open your eyes.  Let’s begin. This will be powerful.

I AM SO HAPPY and PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR:
1) My inner voice getting clearer and clearer than anyone or anything outside of me 2) Nature 3) My teachers 4) My family 5) My service to others 6) My students 7) The lessons I learn from every challenge in my life 8) Laughter 9) People who inspire me 10) When people show me their vulnerability 11) Good health 12) Good vibes and high frequency 13) Forgiveness 14) My journal (aka my inner therapist) 15) Practicing saying No and really saying YES to myself 16) Experiencing the life death cycle up close 17) Going towards my desires 18) Integrity 19) Getting paid to do what I love 20) Evolving 21) Living an expanded life 22) The letters from my dad with specific newspaper clippings for only me 23) Judging myself less when I have fallen out of alignment with my core values 24) My yoga practice 25) Transcendental Meditation 26) My favorite beverages- Kamboucha, Pinot Noir, and loose leaf chia tea lattes with almond milk 28) Blackdog Yoga Studio and Golden Monkey Healing, my 2nd homes 29) My dear dear friends 30) Lululemon 31) My beautiful home 32) Farmers Markets 33) Live performance 34) Giving and receiving 35) Awesome neighbors 36) My mother’s unconditional love.”

Briefly close your eyes and bring your hands to prayer position at your heart center.  Bow your forehead to your heart.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Namaste.

Cindi

Yoga Tips
Once you get going, you could probably write forever.  Keep your list of Gratitude close to you throughout the Holiday season.  Whip out your G list when you hear your brain sending you down the road of negativity.  Or read out loud when you have a few minutes to yourself.  Also, take note of your discontent and make the necessary changes to move into the life you would LOVE!

Photo credits- Alex Vasilescu, headline photo:taringa.net