Giving Thanks
Giving Thanks
Without fail, all the dogs find each and every morning the most exciting time: breakfast. The youngest labradors, Poppy and Isla, are fed next to each other. As I put each bowl down, they have learnt to wait as I say “for what you are about to receive may you be truly grateful”. They look at me, I nod and off they go.
In stark contrast to most of us, they both know exactly what makes them happy – a walk and then food. It is the simple things that make up their lives: the cuddles and tennis balls, giving pressies of some favourite battered toy, the sight of a lead being taken off the shelf and the prospect of a door being opened
I sometimes think we all complicate matters too much and forget to look at what is there in front of us. That we think the only route to happiness is to have more or to be doing something else. However, if for example, you look at the ‘action’ in Downton Abbey, most of it was the mundane - watching a character writing a thank you note, or getting up, or answering a telephone - “an instrument of torture”, or dining together and yet we were mesmerised. In fact, much of it was about the ordinary, even if the setting, costumes and old cars were not.
Being grateful though is different from looking for happiness. It is too easy to feel deprived because we are not sure if we are happy enough but being grateful is about the here and now. It is associated with words such as grace and graciousness and is about positive moods or actions.
Traditions throughout the world mark a day in which we give thanks for the harvest, the collection of food and sustenance without which we cannot live. At Highclere we celebrate with a Harvest Festival service. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day on the second Monday in October. The Thanksgiving Festival, ErntedankFest, is a popular festival in some German municipalities on the first Sunday of October whilst Thanksgiving - Dankdag - is observed by Protestant churches in the Netherlands on the first Wednesday in November.
Famously, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, 26 November in 1863 and in 1942, President Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Giving thanks on these days is all about friends and food, being in the present but remembering traditions from the past.
Isla and Poppy, as well as all of Highclere’s other four legged friends, would certainly support such a day, but being wiser than us live every day in this fashion. Most of us live relatively privileged lives compared to conditions in past centuries but it is still the little things which make us smile, the morning walk, the tumbling puppy, the gently moving golden autumn leaves against a blue sky, the smell of freshly baked bread, the laughter of friends chatting together, the sound of a tiny robin thrilling the air waves. Even better is to share these blessings with those we love
“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favourite things. Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, Silver white winters that melt into springs …These are a few of my favourite things …simply remember my favourite things .. And then I don't feel so bad”
36 Comments
What a wonderful reflection!
I've been posting a note of gratitude each day this month on my Facebook page. I am so blessed with so many things that I take for granted. It's a humbling exercise.
I wish you a wonderful week.
Cheers,
Donna Guy from Chicagoland
Lady Carnarvon,
Our pups teach us so much, don’t they? Besides eating, cuddling and playing, and obeying, they can sense our moods. We know the many times they comfort us, and smile broadly when we show happiness. Here’s hoping this merry season will bring happiness to brighten everyone’s days, especially to those who live and work at Highclere, a very happy place!
Martha G
ouir pups do teach us ..
Lovely the pictures of giving thanks and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lam fan of Downton Abbey and highcelere castle
Gratitude and living in the here and now.It's the little things in life ,that truly matter.Thank you for reminding us of this ,with this blog.With grateful regards.
Gratitude and living in the here and now.It's the little things in life ,that truly matter.Thank you for reminding us of this ,with this blog.With grateful regards.
Lovely reminder to be grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
always Jenny
Delightfully nostalgic. The little things matter ✨️
Lady Carnarvon,
Like the things we celebrate and give thanks for, your message is simple, direct, beautiful, and appreciated. Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Beautiful and so true Lady Carnarvon!
You write so well. Thank you for inspiring us.
Greetings from snowy Switzerland
I spent some time defining what happiness is and finally came up with 'contentment with what is'.
I think that is very wise!
And what a beautiful picture in the snow!
A beautiful message.
Thank you.
Very thought provoking Lady Carnarvon, thank you. I've just had lunch with two friends, we worked together in the NHS, one a practice nurse, the other the practice
manager and me a humble receptionist. A lovely lunch, but the best bit was the laughter we shared, and the time we spent reminiscing. I feel very grateful for their
friendship, so thank you again for reminding us that its the simple things in life that matter.
Friends ..it is one of the best words
A delight to read thank you so much
Happy memories of feeding time with our Jack Russell Benjie for all those years x
A delight to read thank you so much
Happy memories of feeding time with our Jack Russell Benjie for all those years x
A delight to read thank you so much
Happy memories of feeding time with our Jack Russell Benjie for all those years x
Happy Thanksgiving from and expat in Texas. I will be going to my son's house (Christmas is at my daughter's house because the Grand Children children need to be 'at home' for Christmas to make memories.
I am glad your dogs understand when they are spoken to..recently I was thought to be strange when I said my animals do what I tell them, I don't train them in the conventional sense, but they understand quite well what I say..and sometimes the even look at me intelligently (when they are not having 'senior moments'! much love fom a still very warm/stormy Texas. Keep warm. if possible !
Lady Carnarvon, Happy Thanksgiving and may blessings bestowed on you and yours. We will celebrate with family here in the USA.
Lady Carnarvon, Happy Thanksgiving and may blessings bestowed on you and yours. We will celebrate with family here in the USA.
Thanks giving reminder:
I give Thanks for your blog every week Lady Carnarvon.
I tried to write every week on Facebook once, reasons I was grateful and I
found this very difficult after a couple months to come up with topics but you have managed for years to remind us about things we should not take for granted.
I appreciate today’s blog especially, as I can see how boredom can set in.
Everyday routine can make one feel that there must be more to life than this. However if one sits back and remembers that we need to appreciate the simple things in life as your blog did for me today, it reminds me that we are not at war, we have enough food and we have friends and family
who care about us and they are all very safe and secure. Our pets are content
and so should we/I be. Thank you for this reminder.
I feel it’s about going back to basics - looking with wonder at nature, really looking and maybe hugging a tree.
When I do this I feel safe and am aware of the strength and wisdom there is in nature and how much we can learn from
being outside amongest it.
Just beautiful, thank you.
Wonderful words of inspiration of gratefulness for all things, especially the little things, simple things we take for granted.
Love the ending from the Sound of Music! Be blessed. Thankful for you!
Lady Carnarvon, yes Thanksgiving is this week, and, in England, it's beoming a fashion for some restaurants to offer a Thanksgiving menu, apparently.
As for dogs, funny how they love an opened car door, until they realise you are your way to see the vet. Have a wonderful week.
Beautiful, wise words.
Thank you -
Thank you for this sweet article. It is so east to fall into a dumpy mood and forger our many blessings. I love that your pups say grace before eating! Many blessings to you and yours.
I don't know if it's the age I am, or the situation in the world, particularly the US where part of my extended family lives, and the divisiveness that is the result of the present
administration, but I find myself being truly grateful for all that I have, and where I live - Canada.....it takes so little to be kind and generous especially at this time of year
which is a good time to reflect on everything in ones life, from health to friendships, etdc.
A simple, but profoundly written message reminding us to be grateful in whatever we have and do. Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving from CA.
Well said! Thank you for such a thoughtful reminder. Happy Thanksgiving from the USA.
What a delightful way to describe the act of giving thanks. As a fellow dog lover, I too find myself wondering at the delight those marvelous furry critters express in the simplistic things of life. It is so true that we often find ourselves lost in the mayhem of everyday life forgetting the simple. I was especially delighted to be reminded that so much of Downton Abbey was depiction of ordinary and everyday activities. Finally, thank you for pointing out in this hectic time of the US Thanksgiving Holiday that many places celebrate the act of thanksgiving too.
Beautiful sentiments~ Thanksgiving is such a wonderful Holiday, time with those we love the most and taking time to just be grateful~
I once read that happiness is having what we want, and contentment is wanting what we have.
Thank you, Lady Carnarvon.
Blessings to one and all!
From Laura Barger in Illinois
Lady Carnarvon,
I have always felt very greatful for all that was given to me and all I have.
However, the day of giving thanks is special.
On this day I will give thanks for the people in my life and hose who have gone
Before us. I just want to frame those wonderful moments
Forever. Happy thanksgiving!!
Lady Carnavon,
I want to thank you for all your words of wisdom throughout the year. Reading your Blog is one of my simple pleasures.
As I get ready to share Thanksgiving here in the United States with my daughter and her extended family, I count my
blessings to have the privilege to read your writings. I have enjoyed each of your books giving us a glimpse of the historical
Family members from your family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lady Carnavon,
I want to thank you for all your words of wisdom throughout the year. Reading your Blog is one of my simple pleasures.
As I get ready to share Thanksgiving here in the United States with my daughter and her extended family, I count my
blessings to have the privilege to read your writings. I have enjoyed each of your books giving us a glimpse of the historical
Family members from your family.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Beautiful reminder! Thankfulness...for all the simple provisions and beauty all around!