Is Thanksgiving Necessary?

Posted on November 20, 2012

in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Unlearning Classroom

Yes, thanksgiving is necessary–but not as a national holiday!

Use this practice from A Course in Miracles and experience the Peace, Joy and Love of true thanksgiving every day.

Be in my mind, my Father, when I wake, and shine on me throughout the day today. Let every minute be a time in which I dwell with You. And let me not forget my hourly thanksgiving that You have remained with me, and always will be there to hear my call to You and answer me. As evening comes, let all my thoughts be still of You and of Your Love. And let me sleep sure of my safety, certain of Your care, and happily aware I am Your Son.

This is as every day should be. Today, practice the end of fear. Have faith in Him Who is your Father. Trust all things to Him. Let Him reveal all things to you, and be you undismayed because you are His Son. ~Lesson 232: Be in my mind, Father, through the day.

Practice means just that. Repeat Lesson 232 over and over again. Let everything that bothers you be a reminder to practice Lesson 232. Be relentless. See what happens.

Many years ago, when I thought I had come a long way and shouldn’t be in pain anymore, I reluctantly picked up Louise Hay’s classic book, You Can Heal Your Life, and read a section called, “My Daily Work”. It turned out that even Louise Hay did daily maintenance. One line from her routine stuck with me, and I’ve used it ever since, “This is one of the best days of my life.”

I was intrigued at the idea that every day, no matter what occurred, could be one of the best days of my life. In fact, I took it one step further and revised it to, “This is the best day of my life”. How liberating! How mind-opening! As a Course student, I knew that I cannot judge anything because I truly do not know what anything is for. So no matter what seemingly happened, I could still see it as the best day of my life. What a reversal! What a shift in perception!

This is true thanksgiving. Every day is the best day of your life, because every day is a day you can use to dwell with your Father. Feel free to enjoy the holiday if that suits you. Or not. But whatever you do, remember: