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Tuesday 25 November 2008

Reflections on 'Being A Pilgrim' for Thanksgiving Holiday

Being A Pilgrim by Mark Nepo

To journey without being changed
is to be a nomad.
To change without journeying
is to be a chameleon
To journey and to be transformed
by the journey
is to be a pilgrim.

As we ease into our Thanksgiving holiday, remember what it's really about! America is a free and rich land (despite the recent 'crisis' and the strife the country is experiencing over these past 8 years) and most people can live reasonably well. Those that struggle at least can find somewhere to find help and/or someone(s) to provide shelter, clothing, and food. So, please -- give thanks, take rest, have fun, give joy, and find peace -- for yourself and for one another. Do enjoy your favorite foods and drink, but don't overeat and/or drink excessively. If you find yourself going that route, why not pack the extras up and bring it to a nearby homeless shelter. Better yet, why not just buy and make 'enough' -- not too much and donate the rest of the money that you would've spent on the surplus food to feed an army when you were only having 8 or 10 people.
We need to strive to be constantly transforming ourselves -- life is our 'journey' and the minute we just stop and stagnate and accept the 'status quo' for ourselves, well, we just drift or look in the mirror and find one day we're just looking at another being -- not the person we want to be or hope to become. Pilgrims takes pilgrimages to holy places to find inspiration and purpose -- a higher power than our own -- our God! Make the pilgrimage to your own 'wholeness' and 'wholesomeness'. Keep food and drink (w)holy this Thanksgiving and keep your momentum going as you continue your transformation to a beautiful you!