Creative Thanks-Giving Traditions

By Gabriela Masala

Nov 23

 

 

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Gratitude is the fast track to unconditional love, connection to Source, and a reality of wholeness. We have all heard some version of this before. Yet, do we practice the attitude of gratitude? This Thanksgiving, follow your inspiration to create new traditions that honor the whole of Earth kind in loving, intentional awareness.

Here is a simple, Thanksgiving tradition that my family loves – it engages everyone and naturally generates happiness, gratitude and intentional prayers for all life.  I call it the Thanks-Giving Tree (supplies listed below).

Solo or with your loved ones, take a walk outside. Breathe deeply. Expand your awareness and offer gratitude for the earth, sky, sun, air and all that is offered, in abundance by simply being alive. Keep eyes and heart open to be led to a fallen branch or small bough (it will serve as your Thanks-Giving Tree).  When you find it, give thanks and gratefully take it home with you.

Gather family, with your supplies all ready to go. Light a candle and playfully introduce the crafty tradition. Reflect on these inquiries: What am I grateful for in my life? On the planet? What do I appreciate that I can be thankful for every day? What are my prayers for the Earth? Humanity? Make a list. Share lively conversation on the topic. Be lighthearted.

Place your branch into a large jar or vase and surround it with stones, beans or grains so that it stands upright.

Then dive into the creative process with presence, joy and free expression. Cut out and hole punch leaves. Write gratitudes, intentions, thankful praise and pearls of prayers on the leaves. Decorate them with color and bring them to life with your love.

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Once complete,  string and hang the leaves on your branch. Place the Thanks-Giving Tree as a centerpiece in your home. Add to it as inspired and keep it up into the New Year.

As the holidays kick off, give yourself, your family (and all  of life), the gift of dwelling in gratitude.  Keep your attention on thankfulness. This vibrational energy emanates and ripples out all around us. Maybe you will feel inspired to express gratitude by giving to others in the form of service, resources, kindness or activism. Start where you are; by infusing your  thoughts and emotional state with gratitude. Extend it to interactions with your intimates and community. 

This Holiday Season, where will you place your precious attention? No need to over consume, over spend or over do. Satiate spiritual hunger with gratitude. Fill emptiness with the awareness of  innate wholeness. Watch less media and engage more creativity. Replace isolation with connection. Shift from analytical, polarized duality to heart centered, coherent unity. Play. Dance. Sing. Get your feet on the Earth and head in the sky.

Remember All of Life is Sacred and Give Thanks!

BLESS EVERYTHING. 

Basic Supplies (improvise as inspired)2016-11-23-08-49-34

  • A jar or vase
  • Paper  to cut out leaves
  • Hole puncher, scissors
  • String , twine or yarn
  • Markers, crayons to write and decorate 
  • A branch 
  • Stones, grains or beans 

Want customized creative ideas to fuel you and your family to the next level of awesome? Ready to engage your expressive genius to serve your evolution and life joy? Call on me!

About the Author

Gabriela is a natural intuitive, with a knack for bridging inner and outer worlds, bringing relevance to daily living. Her guidance is infused with pure love, in the service of health and wholeness. She has been steeping in the universal wisdom teachings of metaphysics, mysticism, Shamanism, Yoga, Zen, Transpersonal Psychology, Earth-based Spirituality and Energy Medicine for over 20 years.

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Gabriela Masala