What Are You Bringing to Your Thanksgiving Dinner?

It’s Thanksgiving and most of us will be gathering with friends and family and considering what we can contribute to our holiday feast.

While we may be planning to bring a favorite dessert or special bottle of wine, keep in mind there is more that we’ll each be bringing to the festivities. We’ll be bringing an energetic contribution too.

Here’s an example of what we mean. Most of us have walked into a room right after two people had a heated discussion and we felt the tension in the air? You could cut it with a knife as the saying goes.

We’re feeling the collective energy of what just happened even though nobody has spoken. The collective room environment is based on the energy of each individual in that room. Similarly, we can walk into a room and feel the uplift when something fun or positive has just happened.

We may feel compelled to ask, “What?! What just happened?!” Then someone breaks the silence and gives the good news. Another example of how our energy extends outward has been documented by researchers at the HeartMath Institute (HMI.) They found when people touch or are in close proximity – there is an actual transfer of energy. The heart’s electromagnetic field (the most powerful rhythmic energy field produced by the body) can be detected by other individuals and can produce measurable effects in a person a few feet away.

Whether we are conscious of it or not, our feelings are emitted into the collective environment. Our individual energy not only affects us, our health and perspective on life, it also contributes to the environment wherever we are. Knowing this allows us to consciously choose to make the most important contribution as we gather at this special time, which is a heart-felt connection, appreciation for each other and all life, and compassion for those in challenging situations that can’t experience this gift or resonance at this time.

As we find ourselves sitting down for our holiday dinner let’s choose joy, kindness and whole hearted fun as we deepen our heart connections with each other. Ocassionally refreshing our commitment to this helps to sustain the moments and benefits of these special times.

Tips on adding more coherence:

• Take a few quiet minutes to become centered in your heart space. Feel appreciation for something or someone. Let yourself soak in this feeling for a few moments.

• Set your intention by seeing and feeling yourself maintaining more personal balance each day and in your interactions with others.

• Call on your heart intelligence. Say to yourself, “If I start slipping into judgments, drama, frustration or resignation I will catch it quickly and I’ll shift back into my heart and reset my inner coherence. (note: Please don’t judge yourself for having a wobble. We all do at times.)

• Focus in the heart a few minutes before holiday events. When you feel coherent in your heart, send gratitude, love and positive energy out to the gathering. On a friendly note – don’t be unrealistic about sending positive energy out. Keep in mind the attitudes of others have a lot to do with outcomes. However sending love and care benefits your system and can increase the ratio of positive outcomes in situations.

So this holiday when we find ourselves sitting down for dinner, remember we’re feeding more than our bodies, we’re feeding the field environment too. The more we can refresh our own inner attitudes, balance and coherence the more we can enjoy the savory feelings of gratitude, the deliciousness of kindness, and the sweetness of deeper heart connections. Bon Appéti!

Take care,
Your Friends at HeartMath