A Bigger Than Macaroni and Cheese Thanksgiving

Putting What You Have Been Spiritually Cultivating to the Test

I know you are dying to know my most memorable Thanksgiving moment. Well, since you asked, it was the time when my grandma took her famous macaroni and cheese out of the oven, and the dish shattered. I saw it happen. And it was one of those slow-motion moments. Yummy, gooey macaroni and cheese mixed with shards of glass were all over the floor. And based on everyone's reactions, I thought they canceled the Thanksgiving meal. Grandma's macaroni and cheese was the dish that everyone looked forward to eating. But soon enough, everyone moved through the line and dished out large helpings of everything else onto their plates.

Crisis averted. The giving of thanks continued unhindered. 

Reflecting on that day, I find that entire experience profoundly insightful.

The common sentiment by many around the holidays is how difficult it is to gather with family. We know way too much about each other from social media. There are things we don't like about each other-namely politics, our opinions about politics, and how we view the world because of our politics. And we know everyone will bring their political A-game and astute social commentary when we get together (all of that tongue-in-cheek). As a result, we begin anxiously ruminating and obsessively hyperventilating weeks before the big event. 

But I wonder if there is an alternative this year. What would it look like to carry something different into our family gatherings? Rather than let one person, one topic, or one conversation, ruin everything, could we meditate on all the goodness we share? Rather than feed on any negative energy when we gather, what would happen if we tapped into what we have been spiritually cultivating this year? What if we brought that energy to the room for others? 

That is the beauty of discovering peace within and living graciously. We can be consistent despite our difficult circumstances, even when it is just a family gathering.

Peace,

Brandon