Simply Thankful

Jake's pillows

 
During this week of Thanksgiving, I would like to reflect on the importance --- no ---absolute necessity of giving thanks, not only on this National Holiday, but everyday --- every moment.  Expressing gratitude, not only communicates our love and appreciation for our fellow humans, it also informs the Universe that we accept and acknowledge the responsibility of serving others. 
 
Simplifying our lives to accommodate this culture shift is much easier than one may think: Be grateful for the abundance of love and kindness in your life, instead of focusing on the pettiness of some.  Be thankful for what you have, instead of wishing for the latest fad.  Focus on the good and beautiful, instead of wallowing in your own disappointments.  Celebrate the positive and ignore the negative.  Embrace the blessings and release the fear.
 
In short, live your life in peace with gratitude, dignity, empathy, honesty, and good intentions.  The Universe can only reward you with kindness, compassion, and an abundance of love.
 
I am eternally grateful for:

• My husband’s loving understanding and support for the amount of time I spend on this venture.
• My compassionate children who are not afraid to be themselves!
• My friends who offer exactly what I need, even when I don’t realize it at the moment.
• My natal family, who despite having known me from the very beginning will love me forever.
• The new opportunities that present themselves everyday that allow me to grow and learn.
• My cozy “empty nest” in the forest, which provides a quiet and safe place for contemplation and rest.
• The shadows created by the sunshine in the winter bare woods.
• The frost tipped moon on a clear November evening.
• My students who make my days a never-ending fun-filled adventure.
• The families who have embraced DRC and are spreading the word about our mission.
• Books, technology, and the endless stream of information available to anyone who wants to learn.
• The fantastic librarians who preside over all of the above.
• This amazing community that is open and accepting of the possibilities that self-directed learning offers to our youth.
• The donors who financially support Deep Root Center.
• The fabulous DRC Board of Directors who have taken this idea and turned it into reality with hard work and dedication.
• The other Liberated Learners, especially Ken Danford and Joel Hammon, for their vision of supporting self-directed learning centers all over the world.

 
I have come to understand that living in a state of gratitude is transforming, because I now realize it is the small, mundane, and unadorned bits and pieces of everyday that are the important delights that make me truly happy.
 
Gracias and Happy Thanksgiving! 

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