![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih3b_RvZsJkfMarsxl7eA5TYG55xjkBnvSdCpCCzU6JmPeDa06XlZfDRAfHBLZsb-HoiNvMzUObtBQcJIYJ-injEG-tO6EdhvAtHUQIFytKrPFL6rVt-2DeCSYoK5-zcie-_To_ow9NCc0/s1600/Maslin+and+Brighton+001.JPG) |
(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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfmEV2bGP2Uh0_NZzEmHuYVwKX_lBjEBPQp9qJi_zU4ZU1aw1IdCtKdYLAHMuIuEiZnPVn_GITcS_POqTot52rLDhYBGnbmjDNlESwxyCRDUnaqDkLL12Ml1i9uaibIDDuREbnYnkoMMx/s1600/Maslin+and+Brighton+119.JPG) |
(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).