I can truly say that this year I have learned that Thanksgiving is a way of life, and not because of any particular thing for which to be grateful. It is more than that. Thanksgiving is a State of Being available to all of us. no matter what is going on in our lives. Thanksgiving is a feeling that permeates from our True Self, our Inner Energy aligned with our Source Energy. It is not something we conjure up. It is a State of Being that is ours without effort or coercion. It takes surrender and relaxation.

There are many physiological reasons given to us by the experts that tell us that feeling Thanksgiving or gratitude is good for us. It is even proven to increases our Telomerase that lengthen our lives (Dr. Bruce Lipton). Thanksgiving can, indeed create the life of our dreams. Dr. Joe Dispenza proves to us that it is the “ultimate state of receivership.”

The question that so many of us have, I’m sure, is how do we feel gratitude when there seems to be nothing for which to feel grateful? Suppose we have just suffered a loss or perhaps we are out on the streets without a home. Perhaps we are part of the mass shootings of this last week. What then?

Here’s what I know from my own experiences. What is our alternative? We now know that how we feel definitely creates our reality, so how can we deny that finding reasons to stay in love and thanksgiving will help us move through any tragedy or loss.

Life is a journey, for sure. There are many twists and turns. We are energy. We are Eternal Life. We are all having experiences as we journey back to our True selves. Every turn in the road is a choice for us. We can open up to thanksgiving or we can remain closed, sullen and remorseful. I choose gratitude and thanksgiving. I am grateful to be alive during this great turning on earth. I’m grateful for all of my experiences. I am grateful for the people that are no longer in my life on this plane of action. Yes, I miss them deeply, but I trust that I will experience their Energy again. In fact, I am experiencing it now, even though I cannot touch them.

Yesterday, during a deep meditation, my Uncle Frank, whom I never met came to me. He was filled with love and light and I felt his Spirit deeply. I am grateful for a part of my family I never knew on this earth plane.

Once we start practicing thanksgiving or gratitude in small ways, the larger ways will present themselves. If we can just open up willing to be in thanksgiving for something or someone or an experience, past, present or future, thanksgiving will begin to take over our being. It will make us strong, more resilient in these challenging times. It will help us to see the opportunity rather than the problem. The promise is that there will be even more reasons to feel grateful. It’s scientific!

Thanksgiving is a State of Being. It is powerful and will save us and lift us up at all times no matter what. Have a Happy Thanksgiving today and always.

Much Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Co-Founding Director CSL Kaua`i and the Institute of Magnificence and Author of “What Do I Need to KNOW? 101 Thoughts That Changed My Life” and “This Thing Called Treatment,” both available on Amazon.