Cornucopias are always depicted as overflowing with a colorful bounty of goods spilling out of their container. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries spread across the table. A cornucopia is a symbol of Thanksgiving, an icon of appreciation that often gets overlooked. As you sit around your table this holiday, sharing what you’re thankful for, think of your life as a cornucopia. When we are open to recognizing all we have to be grateful for, large and small reasons pile on each other until they pour out in an abundant display.
The apparent reasons to be thankful, such as family, friends, and health, make up the pumpkins and corn. Remember the small, nut-sized blessings that filter to the bottom of the basket. The ones that don’t seem like much because they aren’t large and brightly colored are still important. These tiny details get lost in day-to-day living, like a bird’s song or a stranger’s smile. When you don’t receive what you want, look for the details that help you through life: moments of laughter, a shoulder to cry on, or your pet’s unconditional love. Most of the time, our lives are richer when we are open to being thankful for what we think we are better off without.
Realize your life is abundant every day, not just on the fourth Thursday of November. There is an accumulation of blessings that surround you at all times; harvest them. Fill your basket with morsels of all shapes and sizes. Nourish yourself. Feast off of what you are grateful for and share your abundance. Each day presents us with what we need to sustain our souls. Gather what you can carry. Imagine your life as a cornucopia overflowing with goodness. Take what you need, and be generous with what you are able. Happy Thanksgiving!
