Rain is heavy in the air this Thanksgiving morning as I lit a candle out in my Zen writing cottage.

Sitting in my wicker chair with Gidget beside me, listening to soft music play in the background I closed my eyes to move into my meditation.

The spirit of Thanksgiving is all around today and it was effortless, really, that grateful heart came to my mind as my mantra for today’s meditation.

Repeating this silently to myself it brought up many emotions for me. I’m grateful for so many people, animals, and things I hold dear. But I also realized I’m just as grateful for challenging times and lessons I’ve learned so far this year — even when I’ve struggled against them.

I’m reminded again that without times that we wish didn’t have to be when we are in the midst of them, that if we stay open to the gifts, the blessings most often will present themselves.

It’s a grateful heart that I have today, thankful for this day of Thanksgiving as our reminder to really stop and give thought to what we are most grateful for.

So I share with you today my mantra of a grateful heart…grateful for each of you who come to my joyful paws journal each day to read my thoughts, hopes and dreams.

My heartfelt wishes to you for a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving.

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