Giving Thanks & Gratitude
Holiday rituals and traditions give people meaning to an otherwise mundane life of working, sleeping, eating, and occasionally playing. Around the world, Fall is the universal season of celebration and giving thanks. Consequently, most cultures celebrate an autumn harvest festival and here in the U.S., it is no exception. Instead of a harvest celebration, we have Thanksgiving.
The story of Thanksgiving in America is familiar to even grade school children in that Native Americans brought food to the early Pilgrims that enabled the immigrants to survive the harsh winters and eventually built a country that we call The United States of America. The ideals of our founding fathers: equality, justice, happiness, and freedom were the values that attracted immigrants from every corner of the globe to this new world utopia even when discrimination, racism, and exclusionary policies were commonplace.
Today’s America did not turn out exactly as our founding fathers had envisioned. However, despite the political polarization and division, one holiday ritual remained the same—we give thanks to the original people of America for welcoming us and our forefathers the opportunity to build a new life; we give thanks to the benevolence of the universe and the divine for our health and all the blessings in our lives; and we give thanks to our family, friends, and community for supporting us, especially now, during the pandemic and in times of need.
What’s wonderful about the Thanksgiving holiday, besides gathering with family and friends, is the common practice of helping the needy and those less fortunate. These activities include feeding the homeless, visiting orphanages and nursing homes, as well as contributing to charitable causes. This year with the pandemic it may be different. Staying home to prevent the community spread of COVID-19 is important but equally essential is helping those in need. Many nonprofit organizations do the work for the communities or causes that you support. Express your support by donating to them.
For me personally, providing free treatments to disadvantaged communities through our nonprofit, Yo San University is near and dear to my heart. For the past 30 years, Yo San has partnered with four other nonprofits throughout Los Angeles, specifically Being Alive Los Angeles, The LAC+USC Wellness Center in Boyle Heights, Venice Family Clinic, and Wise & Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, by providing acupuncture treatment at no cost to disadvantaged youth and families. I invite you to join me by donating here: Making A Difference in Integrative Healthcare & Traditional Chinese Medicine Education - JustGiving
Health is a blessing that is above all else in life. Without it, no matter how much money, how big the house, or how fancy the car you have, it is not enjoyable if you are in constant suffering. Take care of yourself this holiday season by being extra careful with exposures, wear a mask when out in public, and wash your hands often. Consider giving the gift of health and wellness with the Tao of Wellness Gift Package for someone you love and care about.
Despite the bad news daily with the pandemic, we can choose to celebrate what we DO have and express our gratitude by helping others. I wish you and your family a joyful and healthy Thanksgiving!