My Thanksgiving

Ah, Thanksgiving Day is here. Many of us will be gathering with families, friends, and may be strangers. Many will feast on what’s considered “traditional” dinners with turkeys, pies and everything else in between. It is a day to be grateful. Grateful for what we have. Yet this day comes with dark history most people don’t talk about although in recent years more conversations seem to be taking place about the meaning of Thanksgiving Day.

I have partaken in the Thanksgiving dinners almost every year ever since I arrived in the U.S. more than 40 years ago. It wasn’t until the last several years that I became truly aware of the shadow side of this big holiday.

Despite the history, I can say, as an immigrant, I am grateful for what this country has given me. I have attained an “American Dream,” a rich life filled with adventures, opportunities, and deep connections with people from literally all over the world as well as the vast nature this enormous continent embraces.

As I get older I’ve grown increasingly drawn to the natural world. Having our mountain house has been one of my quintessential American dreams. Living here surrounded by a National Forest where the local natives, Chumash, consider the center of the world, having been learning more about the Indigenous traditions, and learning about regenerative lifestyle are deepening my appreciation for how much the Nature teaches and provides for us both physically and spiritually.

It only feels right to express my gratitude to the Natural World by tuning into what it needs and treading gently. I will visit the sacred mountain, Mt. Pinos (Iwihinmu) this weekend to offer my prayers to humanity and our planet.