Gratitude and Thanksgiving

(c) Tracey Vale 2014

I love the American concept of Thanksgiving. I think we underestimate the importance of gratitude in our lives and we need to stop, breathe, take in our surroundings and, ultimately, give thanks for all we have, for all we see, for all we learn, for all we experience and for all we feel. We need to let go of all the negatives in our lives and embrace the positives with all our hearts, minds and bodies. We need to understand that bad experiences, grief, misunderstandings, trauma and difficult times all add to who we are and who we become and, through those things, we need to embrace the ability to become stronger and grow so that we can move forward; to be grounded but not pin ourselves to or be victims of the past.

The following words are from Danna Faulds, poet, author and Kripalu Yoga practitioner: 

"Do not let the day slip through your fingers, but live it fully now, this breath, this moment, catapulting you into full awareness. Time is precious, minutes disappearing like water into sand, unless you choose to pay attention. Since you do not know the number of your days, treat each as if it is your last. Be that compassionate with yourself, that open and loving to others, that determined to give what is yours to give and to let in the energy and wonder of this world. Experience everything, writing, relating, eating, doing all the little necessary tasks of life as if for the first time… pushing nothing aside as unimportant. You have received these same reminders many times before, this time, take them into your soul. For if you choose to live this way, you will be rich beyond measure, grateful beyond words, and the day of your death will arrive with no regrets."

As I'm writing this, I'm sitting on my balcony and a moment of gratitude springs forth. A fight has just broken out between a young magpie and an adult, with the adult magpie brutally forcing the young one out of the silky oak and onto the ground below, where the one-sided bullying continues. The young bird is calling out and, for all intent, it sounds very much as though it is calling for help in its distress--and its call is answered. First, another magpie arrives in the ash tree and surveys the scene below, calling out as though to ask the perpetrator to stop. Within seconds, more magpies and three crows have arrived, all calling down in a similar way and surrounding the area in a semi-circle from the various trees they are perched in. The crows' calls are loud, throaty and effective. The young bird is released and free to go; the adult bird, suitably chastised. Their job complete, the gathered saviours fly off.

(c) Tracey Vale 2014

I'm thankful for a voice, for being able to be heard, for living in a 'lucky country' and having the freedom to choose. I'm grateful for the nature that surrounds me and for the beauty that that encapsulates. I'm grateful for having more than I need; to be able to live plentifully and without concern; for health; and for all that I have, both the physical and the spiritual. I'm thankful for friends, family and support when needed; for a listening ear; a kind word; hugs; for an end to judgements; for love, hope, faith, unity and understanding. I'm grateful for my children, for their love, for their personalities; and for being given the ultimate opportunity to love them, nurture and guide them, both now and through their lives to live in a way that is harmonious, grateful, resilient and allows them to be true to themselves and the world around them. 

This thankfulness and mindfulness is captured in the following thanksgiving address. It reminds us to be ever grateful for our earth and all of its entities; for all that it provides us in this life, to pay homage to how it sustains us, including the sun and moon; and reminds us to take care of the earth, ourselves and each other. It was written by the Haudenosaunee American Indians, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations, who are among the first descendants of the United States . It was translated in 1993. This Thanksgiving Address is the central prayer for the Haudenosaunee. 

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are One.

The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are One.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms ‐ waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are One.

The Fish

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are One.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are One.

The Food Plants

With One mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are One.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With One mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are One.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are One.

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With One mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are One.

The Birds

We put our minds together as One and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds ‐ from the smallest to the largest ‐ we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are One.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With One mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are One.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are One.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With One mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are One.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night‐time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With One mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are One.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are One.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With One mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are One.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as One and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are One.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are One.

The Mohawk version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address was translated and published in 1993, courtesy of: Six Nations Indian Museum and the Tracking Project. All rights reserved. Thanksgiving Address: Greetings to the Natural World. English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict, Turtle Clan/Mohawk). Mohawk version: Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk). Original inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk).

Switzerland's Stolen Generations

(C) Tracey Vale 2014

From 1850 to as recent as 1979, and particularly prevalent during and immediately following World War Two due to economic degradation, children in Switzerland were taken from their homes and moved to foster homes where they worked as farmhands. Some were as young as two. Children were forcibly removed amid claims of poverty and where there were situations of single parenting. Often, the children were taken from single mothers. If the parent refused, argued or fought against the forced extraction of their children, they were threatened with prison.

On arrival, the children were uninformed as to what their new life would entail. They worked long days, before and after school, often from 6am to 10pm; were not given the privilege of a secondary education; and were not considered family. They suffered ongoing psychological problems, with many later turning to suicide. This was due, in part, to their extraction from their mother, separation from their siblings and the lack of love they endured under 'foster care'. They also suffered abuse, including physical and sexual; and endured hardship through punishment and withholding of food if their foster parents considered they hadn't worked hard enough.

Regardless of their appearance of undernourishment, abuse and the physical strain of over-work on their young bodies, teachers or other figures who raised such issues with social services were usually ignored. Case files have now been made available on a number of these children but, noticeably, much, if not all, of the documentation--by way of complaints and inquiries about the foster parents--are missing.

On occasion, social services would visit the various foster homes. The foster parents were alerted of

(C) Tracey Vale 2014

this by way of a white sheet strung out in the town. Subsequently, the social worker was greeted with the picture of a family eating together--the foster child or children included in the family meal and with no evidence that they were involved with child labour. It was the one time the child or children were given a reprieve from hard work. Social workers never spoke one-on-one with the child, instead asking questions of them in front of their 'carers'. Naturally, the children were too afraid to speak the truth.

The following article, with haunting photographs, tells the story of some of the children of these stolen generations who have recently been given access to their case files and continue to seek answers and peace.

From the BBC:

Switzerland's shame: the children used as cheap farm labour