A Short Story: The Stone Soup
Let me share a brief story:
Once, a traveler arrived in a village with nothing but an empty pot. The villagers, wary and protective of their food, turned him away. Undeterred, the traveler filled his pot with water, placed a stone inside, and began to cook over a fire in the town square. Curious, one villager came forward and asked what he was making. “Stone soup,” the traveler replied, “It’s delicious, but it could use a carrot.” The villager returned with a carrot. Another villager came with potatoes, then someone brought herbs. Soon, the entire village was contributing to the pot, and together they created a feast.

Gratitude works in the same way—when we come together, even with seemingly little, we create something greater than ourselves. Thanksgiving is our chance to contribute our own “carrot” or “potato” of love, joy, and appreciation, making the feast richer for everyone.

Today’s Mantra “Gratitude fills me. Love surrounds me. This moment holds all that I need.”

Let this mantra guide you as we close, carrying the spirit of Thanksgiving into your week ahead.

Topic 1 – Sympathetic Joy

Let’s begin by closing our eyes, settling into the stillness of this moment. Bring your awareness to the gentle rhythm of your breath, letting each inhale create space within you and each exhale release tension.

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday this week, let us center ourselves around the practice of gratitude. True gratitude is not merely a thought but a feeling—a memory stored not in the mind but in the heart. It is a connection to something deeper, a sacred thread that binds us to the present moment, to each other, and to all that we hold dear.

Buddhist teachings remind us of mudita, or sympathetic joy—the deep happiness we feel in celebrating the happiness of others. When we cultivate gratitude, we transcend the boundaries of the self and step into the beauty of shared connection. Thanksgiving offers a perfect opportunity to embody this principle. It’s a time to honor love, kindness, and togetherness, celebrating the bonds that unite us beyond our differences. Let this practice today be a reflection of that spirit, embracing joy not just for ourselves but for all those around us.” – David Scott

Topic 2 – Gratitude: A Lens for Life

As Melody Beattie so beautifully said:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

“When you visit an eye doctor, they guide you to look through a device, switching lenses until your vision becomes clear. Some lenses blur your sight, while others bring the world into focus. Gratitude works in much the same way—it’s the lens through which we can see the beauty and blessings of the world, often hidden in the rush to get to what’s next. Gratitude shifts our perspective, reminding us that abundance isn’t about how much we have, but how deeply we cherish what we already hold in our hearts. Like a single candle illuminating a dark room, gratitude lights up the blessings that were always there, waiting to be seen.” – David Scott

Topic 3 – Tending to the fire of gratitude

“Gratitude is like tending a fire. At first, it might be just a small ember, barely noticeable. But as you feed it—with even the simplest moments of appreciation—it begins to grow, casting light and warmth. This light doesn’t just illuminate your own life; it shines outward, touching those around you.

Gratitude has a way of transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. It teaches us that the beauty of life isn’t about having more, but about seeing more—recognizing the blessings already present. Like gathering around a fire on a cold night, gratitude reminds us of our shared connection, offering light and warmth to everyone it touches.”

Topic 4 – Embracing Gratitude in Togetherness
Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday; it’s a rare moment where we pause to focus on what unites us. It’s a day to lay down our differences and celebrate the common threads of humanity: love, family, and the joy of being together. Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us, “When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment, our understanding of what’s going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace, and love.”

As you move through this practice, reflect on the people in your life who have shaped you. Think of the meals you’ve shared, the laughter you’ve exchanged, the lessons you’ve learned. Let these memories warm your heart like a fire on a cold evening. Let them remind you of the truth that in gratitude, we find unity.

“If you keep searching for beauty, you will eventually become it. Like a flower turning toward the sun, your perspective shapes what you see. Through the lens of gratitude, everything becomes a miracle. Believe in possibility, and you’ll see opportunities bloom around you. Doubt, and all you’ll find are shadows.” – David Scott

“We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.” -Neal A. Maxwell

“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.” –Tony Robbins

“Be clear and decisive when choosing your direction. The more focused your aim, the closer you’ll come to hitting your mark.” – David Scott

“Don’t overcomplicate your life. Overthinking often leads to hesitation and missed opportunities. To end in certainty, one most begin with doubts. Remember, waiting too long to act is a decision in itself, and inaction can be costly. Trust your intuition, take mindful steps, and keep moving forward.”” – David Scott

“With one foot in the canoe, and one foot on shore, you are sure to fall into the river.” – Tuscarora proverb

“Clarity is always in the present moment. If in this moment you have decided on something and accepted its consequences, you have clarity. Not deciding is also a decision. If in this moment, you choose to remain indecisive and accept its consequences, you have clarity.” – Shunya

[of yoga] “On this path no effort is wasted, no gain is ever reversed; even a little of this practice will shelter you from great sorrow.” – The Gita

“When he sees all things being equal in suffering or in joy because they are like himself, that man has grown perfect in yoga.” The Gita

“When our talents meet perseverance, opportunity presents itself. The door of opportunity will not open unless you do a little pushing. The person that does nothing except wait for their ship to come in, has already missed the boat.” – David Scott

“A bird does not sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song.” – Maya Angelou

Happiness comes to the person that turns life into an adventure. “See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me, and no one knows, how far it goes.” — Moana, “How Far I’ll Go”

The two most important days in a human’s life is the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Mark Twain

You don’t create or design your purpose; you discover it. If you cannot discover your purpose in life, follow your passion and your passion will lead you directly to your purpose.”

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice. Stop looking for happiness in the same place you lost.

“Instead of looking in the mirror to see how you appear on the outside, take a moment to turn inward and observe how you truly feel. The outer reflection can often mislead us, but when we look with our eyes and see with our heart, a deeper truth emerges—revealed in the stillness between our thoughts. As we turn our attention inward, let us honor our journey, recognizing the resilience that has carried us through challenges. May we face ourselves with confidence, celebrating both who we are and all that we’ve overcome.” – David Scott

“With no desire for success, no anxiety about failure, indifferent to results, he burns up his actions in the fire of wisdom. Surrendering all thoughts of outcome, unperturbed, self-reliant, he does nothing at all, even when fully engaged in actions. There’s nothing that he expects, nothing that he fears. Serene, free from possessions, untainted, acting with the body alone. Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”– The Bhagavad Gita

“There is nothing else in the world that can trouble you as much as your own thoughts. Free your mind and release your soul.”

“Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.”

“There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.” Logan Pearsall Smith

Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God. – Diana Robinson

“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world.” – Buddha

“”It’s not where you start in life, but the direction you choose to move next that shapes your journey and determines your destination. Greatness often begins in the smallest, most humble places. A tiny stream winds its way to become a vast ocean; a small pine nut holds the promise of a towering pine tree.

Within each of us lies a reservoir of infinite potential, waiting to be awakened and nurtured. It is the curious, fearless explorer within—the childlike wonder—that opens the door to this boundless possibility. Trust in the small steps, for they hold the seeds of magnificent transformations.”” David Scott

“Love many, trust a few, and learn to paddle your own canoe.”

Closing

“As we conclude, bring your hands to your heart. Feel the warmth and the steady rhythm of life within you. Take a moment to whisper a silent ‘thank you’—to yourself, to those you hold dear, and to the universe for this precious moment. Gratitude isn’t reserved for holidays; it’s a daily practice, a way of seeing and embracing the world.

May your heart shine like a candle, radiating gratitude and light to those around you. May your inner fire burn brightly with appreciation, and may your Thanksgiving be filled with connection, peace, and the joy of being fully present with the ones you love.”