There is a beautiful Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, also known as “The Words That Come Before All Else” that offers greetings and gratitude to the natural, living world. Imagine the power of speaking gratitude in the morning before any other words. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer shares,
“You can't listen to the Thanksgiving Address without feeling wealthy. And, while expressing gratitude seems innocent enough, it is a revolutionary idea. In a consumer society, contentment is a radical proposition. Recognizing abundance rather than scarcity undermines an economy that thrives by creating unmet desires.”
In the spirit of living this wisdom, we’re inviting you to bring a practice of gratitude to your holiday gathering, whether that be with friends, family, or yourself.
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Here’s a simple, conversational ritual you can bring to the table:
1. Prepare cacao with presence.
Before everyone gathers, make a pot of cacao slowly and intentionally. (If you’re sharing cacao with 10 people, you can use one 1/2lb bag of cacao with 10 cups of hot water or non-dairy mylk). As you prepare the cacao, bring to mind as many gratitudes as possible. Let that be the energy woven into the cup.
2. Light one candle.
Place a candle in the center of the table. Lighting it marks the shift into a shared moment of connection. You don’t need a long explanation. Something simple like, “Let’s start with a moment of gratitude,” is perfect.
3. Invite everyone to pause.
You can offer a gentle prompt such as, “Let’s start by each naming something we feel grateful for this year.” Keep it light and welcoming so people feel comfortable sharing.
4. Share one gratitude each.
Go around the table, with each person sharing one gratitude at a time. After each share, invite everyone to take a sip of cacao together. This creates a beautiful cadence and a feeling of being in sync.
5. Close with a simple thank you.
While you’re on the train of gratitude, offer a final acknowledgment for the cacao and the farmers, tropical rainforests, rains, sun, and soil that made it possible. This can be as simple as, “Thank you to the farmers, the forests, and everyone who helped bring this cacao to our cups.”
This whole ritual only takes a few minutes, but it shifts the tone of the gathering in such a meaningful way. If you do try this ritual, please do share with the community and let us know how it goes! Like this, we each get to become leaders in our homes and communities, bringing the wisdom of gratitude forward.
