some thoughts on Autumn Equinox: time of Harvest and Gratitude.

[Shine]

One of the greatest gifts we humans have to offer the rest of creation is our heartfelt appreciation.

When we say "Thank you" we really are saying "We belong together". We are interdependent, we are obliged to one another and everything else; we all belong together; we are OF each other.

Within this human impulse to gratitude flow the vast cycles of universal reciprocity---for everything that is taken, something has to be given in return. If you merely take in a breath and stop there, you will die. Likewise if you merely breathe out. Life is not giving OR taking, but give AND take. This is the dynamic expression of universal belonging expressed in our thanksgiving. Our praise and thanksgiving is as essential a part of life's give and take as are the cycles of oxygen and water or any other nourishment flowing through the biosphere.

Let's build a collective, virtual Cornocopia of Gratitude as we each share what it is we have harvested, what it is we are thankful for at this time in our lives.

What have YOU harvested in this year? What are YOU grateful for?

I'll start: My personal harvest is my growing ability to flow peacefully with the changes of life, in a way that brings me happiness and fulfillment. I give thanks for my strong healthy body, my beautiful family, my handsome husband and the deep heartful friendships I share. :loveya:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

1. Hey, it's Alban Elued!

I loves me some Celticism! :D :D

:hi:

[Shine]

6. Cool, WIMR!!

I've never heard that term before so I googled it and learned a lot! Thanks! I've been in a women's moon circle for over 12 yrs, but it's not so much druid-based as goddess based. We honor the Divine Feminine. :loveya:

[WCGreen]

14. I know I honor the Divine Feminine....

And not in the way most would think...

I think the idea of a goddess is much more compelling than that of a supreme god...

The idea of maleness as the dominating force is all about conquest and spurts of energy with long periods of rest...

The Divine Feminine is all about nurturing, caring and bringing life, not necessarily in that order mind you, remember, I have the eternal need to spurt platitude for I am male...

The world must have been a greater place before the many gods became one...

The spirit of humanity should be about compassion, tolerance and freedom to worship...

And what do we have dominating us now...

Maleness come berserk in the form of Yahweh, Mohammad and the whole Christian faith...

All are based on a Jealous godhead that can not tolerate even the hint of a Divine Feminine...

Say what you will, at least the Catholic worship and look toward Mary as an eternal symbol of the Divine Feminine...

I reject the venom spewing hatred of the one god and openly embrace the idea of the eternal rhythms of life best displayed by the Feminine...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. ......

:applause: :applause:

[Shine]

17. Yes, yes, yes!!!

Blessed be, my friend. :loveya: :pals: :hug:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

15. I had to Google that myself.

:evilgrin:

I know Yule, Lugnasadh (sp?), Beltane, Samhain, etc. I couldn't think of what the autumnal equinox was, though. :D

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Shine.......

I am grateful for so many things--it's difficult to know just where to start!

To my beloved husband! For the continuing adventure of love that is our marriage.......

To my collection of friends here on DU, in the Lounge......

Too numerous to count out here!

For their appreciation of me and what gifts I have to give them.........

My writing, and my photography!

For their support when I am weak, or troubled......or ill.......

And for their joy when I am joyous!

This cyber-community has taken me in, and made me a part of it......

Here I have found friendships that are deep and lasting, that have crossed over and become part of my real world......

My heart is full today for all of these things......


:loveya: :grouphug: :loveya:

[Shine]

7. Abundant blessings to you, my friend.

:hug: :loveya: Thanks for the gift of your friendship.

[u4ic]

3. What a beautiful post, Shine

:hug: :loveya:

I am grateful for the wonderful people in my life, and those I continue to meet.

I am grateful for the community I have found in the Unitarian church I attend, and the wonderful ideals and values they encompass.

I am grateful that I can walk and talk...things I couldn't do only a couple of years ago.

I am grateful for the many trials and tribulations that have endured - far too many, but they have made me the person I am today.

I am grateful for the ability to feel hope - and the wide range of other feelings that make up the human condition, and be afraid of none.

I am grateful for clarity, and to have let go of people who have brought nothing but negativity into my life.

I am grateful for the earth that sustains me, and feeds my senses; I never fail to marvel at the beauty of nature.

I am grateful that I am finally getting my life back on track, no matter how slow and frustrating it can be - and that I have the ability to do so.



:hi:

[mdmc]

4. grateful for you, for shine,

and for all the other DU'ers that are too cool for school.

[Shine]

9. How sweet, mdmc!!

:hug: :loveya: It's great to see ya, buddy!

I am gifted by your friendship and warm energy. Thank you. :pals:

[Shine]

8. Thanks for your full and abundant contribution, u4ic.

I wish you all the best, today, and always....:loveya: :hug:

[mdmc]

19. off topic - are you still biking?

My chain broke...

[Shine]

22. Yup, still cycling. In fact, I'm doing an organized century ride in 7 days

:woohoo: 100 miles in a day, baby!! It's been 6 long yrs since I've done one, but I've been training hard and I'm really excited. Yup, Mama's STILL got it! :D

Sorry about your chain, buddy. I've never had that happen before. My advice: take it into a bike shop. They'll fix ya right up. :hug:

PS. Just don't let anybody pull on your chain. heheheh. OK, bad joke. :evilgrin:

[miss_american_pie]

5. What a wonderful post

:hug:

I am grateful for my family, the roof over our heads, poetry, and new beginnings.

[Shine]

11. Thank you, miss american pie.

"new beginnings", indeed....the seasonal wheel turns once again...

:hug:

[LaurenG]

10. Yay Shine!

I am also grateful for the same and some very special people here on DU as well (oh about 95,000) or so!

[Shine]

12. Hey you!!

:hug: Thanks for the great, warm and wise energy you bring to DU. :loveya:

[LaurenG]

13. Oh my

tis you my sweet friend that I am grateful for.:hug:

[wildhorses]

18. I am thankful for rmy family and for this new friendship...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5658098

also I am thankful for this place for keeping me sane and humble!!

thanks for this post Shine:hi:


:grouphug:

[Shine]

23. What a sweet story!!

Very touching, thanks for sharing that one. I love the image of you finding those arrowheads next to the tree, after so many years.

Yes, love NEVER dies....it just changes form.

:hug:

[Robb]

20. I'm grateful for my communities

This one here, and the one I live in. Without them, I know my life would be less examined, and less fulfilling.

Nice work Shine. :hi:

[Shine]

24. Thanks, Robb, for your valuable contribution to this community.

Good to see ya! :hug: :hi:

[buddhamama]

21. what a wonderful post !

i am grateful for the journey and all that it provides to/for me.

the beauty of this world-

my son who is the beauty, it is within him.

my friends, my 'enemies', the butterfly flapping its wings. it is life. it is a gift. i am grateful for all of it.

thank you Shine, for the gift of your friendship, for your presence, your soul. Many Blessing, my friend. :loveya:

[Shine]

25. Yes, Beauty surrounds us, doesn't it?

In the midst of it all, we are grateful, indeed. Thanks for your contribution to the Beauty, buddhamama.

Great to see you! :hug: :loveya: :hi: