Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  So much to do… so much to be grateful for!  I have done so many different things for this holiday over the years – it is truly one of my favorites.  Perhaps because it’s non-denominational – everyone gets to join in, without judgment about beliefs or points of view.

Although we all know that that can disappear quickly when traditional families come together since just because we grew up together, doesn’t mean we share the same view or philosophy of life.  Sometimes the joy of this gathering time can be dispelled by arguments and clashes of opinion.  So should we even bother sitting down together?

Since I was 18 and moved 2000 miles away from my family, one of my great joys over the years has been to share Thanksgiving with friends – an adopted family.  The blessings of this scenario is that I’m with people who
a) love me
b) share similar values
c) like to eat and eat well
d) will put on the same music after dinner, cajoling one another to dance around the living room!

They represent my tribe.  What is a tribe anyway, since it’s something I find myself in conversation with clients about often.  I guess I think we have many tribes to claim allegiance to.  Each group can represent a different part of ourselves.  For me, today, this is certainly true.  Here’s an example of what I mean:

1) My traditional family – including divorces and remarriages w/ members scattered across the country and even the globe
2) My closest friends – while many are scattered, these are the ones in my town that I love the most
3) My Power Dance girls – we share a love for dancing that fuels our Souls, which is why we often refer it class as the Church of Power Dance!
4) Other Mothers I know from my daughter’s friends
5) My clients! One of the benefits of being a Coach is that you can create fantastic relationships with your clients that allow you to enjoy them beyond the scope of coaching.  If like attracts like, why wouldn’t I love them too?
6) My Colleagues – these can be local relationships or thanks to the internet, around the world!

You can see that the expression Tribe can encompass so many interests and connections.  Commonality and the pull of that.  I like it best when it doesn’t come with ‘shoulds’, expectations and judgments.  When I feel accepted just for my regular, non-perfect self.  I’ll admit that that is where I usually choose to be on Thanksgiving because the company is even more nourishing than the food.

Where will you be?  Who will surround you at the table?  No matter who’s there, show up as yourself.  Share what matters to you and be a good listener.  Sometimes, when you think there’s no one there who understands you, you just might be surprised. 

In gratitude,
Victoria 

Here’s a beautiful Fall image called Circle of Life by Laura Gerry.  A wreath that connects us to the natural world without whom we couldn’t survive.  Another reminder of gratitude.