Happy Appreciation Day

Every year here in the U.S. we set aside a day in November to celebrate abundance…and, we’re told, to give thanks for that abundance.  Our political and religious leaders admonish us to pray and express gratitude for what we have in life.  But exactly who or what is it that we’re thanking?

It’s easy to say that God provides everything for us, and thus we should thank Him for our abundance.  But if you’re one who has evolved spiritually to the point there you can see that we are all tiny bits of God…is it right to thank the Big Guy in the Sky for raining down the good life for us?  What then becomes of our own innate divinity…our power to create the world we want?  Are we, by thanking a remote and all-powerful Creator (loving and personal as we may see Him), giving away our power?

I think so.  I think that by bowing our heads and humbly thanking God for our lives is indeed disempowering to us…not in an obvious sense or in a particularly destructive way; but it does subtly promulgate and promote the idea that we are completely dependent on some outside force in order to have what we need and want.  Really?

Ironically, as part of this thanksgiving process, we “praise” God.  Hmmm…I think that the collective Creator Consciousness in its largest sense and most pure form already knows that It/He/She… is pretty cool.  God doesn’t blush and say “Aw, shucks”.  If there is a reaction, it’s probably one of indifference, when it comes to our falling on our knees in adoration.

So, do we then just take our abundance for granted?  Nope.  Action, and a certain mindset and energetic set point are appropriate when it comes to thinking about the good things we have.  You will continue to manifest (reveal) that to which you direct your attention…therefore, acknowledging our abundance frequently has the effect of propagating it.  But thankfulness is not quite the right energy, if it’s directed at some outside force.

The most appropriate way to acknowledge what we have, while not giving away our power of creation, is to hold an attitude of appreciation.  But again, we need to be mindful even of the character of this energy, too.  Some might equate appreciation with gratitude; i.e., “I appreciate what you’ve done for me.”  In that case, we’re back to the energy of gratitude to some other who is providing for us.  No, the kind of appreciation we’re talking about here is defined as, “clear perception or recognition, especially of aestheticquality: as in a course in art appreciation“; or, “the act of estimating the qualities of things and giving them their proper value.” In other words, appreciation is simply acknowledging the value of what we have…and indeed, it’s the acknowledgment that the good that we have exists at all.  The opposite of this would be continually focusing on what we don’t have…which of course will produce a lot more of “don’t have-ing” for us.

Again ironically, when it comes to the day set aside for Thanksgiving, most people are unconsciously already getting it right.  Although by custom many sit down to the table that day and participate for one minute in a formal prayer to God in thanks for the bounty, the rest of the day they’re really appreciating.  That is to say, they’re enjoying the food, the warm family relationships, the fun and general good feelings.  Just enjoying…and energetically, by simply enjoying, they’re appreciating.  Of course, you might see someone who is complaining that the turkey’s too dry, the stuffing’s too wet, and the kids are too noisy.  In those cases, they too are unfortunately getting what they acknowledge and “appreciate”.

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One last thought: many of us may find ourselves in a position where it seems tough to show appreciation.  You may be “celebrating” Thanksgiving alone at home in a strange city with a frozen pizza; or perhaps you even find yourself homeless with only what’s on your back and maybe a handout from the local soup kitchen.  I’m here to tell you that even in the hardest of circumstances, there’s always something to appreciate.  You have yourself.  You have the clothes on your back, and if you take advantage of them there are people around you who will help you with what they can.  You need to appreciate even the smallest of good things, because that’s the only way to insure that more good things will be revealed.  Accept help when it’s offered; take action when even the smallest opportunity presents itself; appreciate that your heart beats and your lungs breathe and that no matter where your body finds itself, your Divine Soul exists in a place of infinite abundance and is only waiting for you to recognize that.