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Encouragement as an Antidote to Chaos: Thanksgiving and Thanksreceiving November 30, 2025 13:50
I was driving to school a few days before Thanksgiving. It was early in the morning, it was dark, and the streets were wet from rain. The traffic lights in the distance turned green, and those green lights reflected on the wet road and stretched out along the street toward my car in long, narrow, blurry points, encouraging me along the way.
Encouragement is a practice, and it can be an antidote to chaos and uncertainty.
My husband and I went to the grocery store last Saturday afternoon—the Saturday before Thanksgiving. As we pulled into the crowded parking lot, we slowed down and stopped at the sign in front of the store. A woman pushing a cart loaded with groceries crossed in front of us. To us, it was a commonsense gesture—to stop for her…at a stop sign—to let her cross; obviously, it meant more to her, though. She smiled, waved, and blew kisses at us as she crossed and pushed her cart toward her car. We weren’t doing anything exceptional; however, sometimes it feels good to be enthusiastically, and sincerely acknowledged for doing what you’re supposed to do.
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The following Saturday (post-Thanksgiving), Jim and I went to the same grocery store several hours earlier than usual in order to beat a forecasted winter storm. Traffic was very light at 7:00AM. We had no trouble finding a parking spot, and the few shoppers in the store were outnumbered by workers stocking shelves.
The produce section was already fully stocked, which was a pleasant surprise, and we didn’t have to wait in a long checkout line.
I asked our cashier, Bri, if she had a good Thanksgiving.
“I was here,” she said, “and…I was here yesterday,” which was Black Friday.
Bri looked fatigued and discouraged as she scanned our groceries.
“I hope you had had kind and patient customers,” I offered, while bagging our groceries and placing them in our cart.
She shrugged her shoulders and added, “It was pretty crazy yesterday.”
Another cashier stopped by her register and announced that they were going to be understaffed…again. Bri was concerned that her manager would forget about her break as a result.
As Bri handed us our receipt, I said, “We won’t forget you, Bri, and we appreciate your dedication and hard work.”
Bri’s face lit up when she heard me say her name. She smiled and encouraged us to “stay warm.”
Empathy and kind words may not be enough to alleviate fatigue and frustration, but for a moment, at least, I hope that Bri felt seen and appreciated.
Sometimes, a kind word from a stranger at 7:30 in the morning on a snowy Saturday after the biggest shopping day of the year can help make the day flow a little more smoothly. I certainly hope that was the case for Bri.
***
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday, and later that day I purchased a beautiful, hand-knitted blanket from a friend’s wife who is exceptionally creative, and who is also on the verge of starting her own small business.
This blanket is circular with small, knitted roses at the edges so that when it’s folded and rolled, it resembles a bouquet of red roses. It will make a lovely gift for a special friend this Holiday Season, and it felt good to support another friend on her entrepreneurial journey.
Encouragement doesn’t only benefit those who receive it; it also benefits those who give it.
***
Earlier this month, I met with one of my regular tutoring students, David. David has been struggling in his English class for much of this semester—not because he found the work of writing essays intellectually challenging, but because of procrastination. Delay, delay, delay is David’s downfall.
David would come to my office each week and stand in front of my desk. I have several chairs in my office, and most of the students I work with choose to sit in them during our meetings. David, however, prefers to stand.
He was guarded, stoic, and standoffish during many of our sessions. He was often eager to leave and rarely offered details and information without being prompted.
As the semester progressed, I’d ask him about the topics that he chose for his essays. I learned that he had an interest and an in-depth knowledge about Afro-Cuban music. He also was curious about civil rights leaders. I responded with interest and encouragement, and he continued to write and turn in his assignments.
At this point, we have a few weeks remaining in the semester, and David is very close to earning a B in his English class. The last time he came to my office, he stood in front of my desk, as usual. However, at the end of our brief meeting, he walked around my desk and gave me a hug and said, “Thank you.”
Keep in mind, I work part-time at a high school, and I often feel invisible in this role. I’m lucky if students make eye contact with me in the hallway, or smile, or even say, “Hello.”
High school kids aren’t big on hugging, so this was significant.
Encouragement inspired David to work to his potential, and his sincere gesture of appreciation encouraged me to realize that what I do does matter. It was a win-win.
***
Encouragement is an antidote. It uplifts, acknowledges, comforts, inspires, and reassures. It also propels us forward and fosters meaningful connections with others, especially during times when we are feeling vulnerable, uncertain, or afraid in a crazy, chaotic world.
Encouragement is a meaningful practice, and I encourage you to incorporate it in your own life in whatever ways resonate with you.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this month’s offering. I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with your loved ones.
Please check out the current Middle Moon Malas collection. These hand-knotted, one-of-a-kind designs make thoughtful gifts for meditators and wellness enthusiasts. Know that I also offer restringing services and create custom designs upon request. Simply send me a message via the Contact Us page.
I am grateful for all of you, and I hope the month of December treats you well.
In the meantime, keep practicing.
OM.AH.HUM.: Simple Practices, Sincere Friendships, Meaningful Blessings February 28, 2025 16:57
If you prefer to listen to this month's offering, please click HERE for the audio link.
A few summers ago, I drove a dharma friend home after we had attended a weekend teaching together in Louisville. Traffic was light on this beautiful August day—cloudless blue sky, sunny, and warm.
I enjoyed chatting with my friend, Marietta. She told me about her adventures in Nepal from years ago, and we shared stories about our families.
During this trip, I noticed something interesting about my friend. At one point during our drive, we passed a small family cemetery just off the side of the road. It included a few tombstone markers enclosed with wrought iron fencing.
When we passed it, I overheard Marietta whisper, “Om. Ah. Hum.” three times. She didn’t make a fuss about it—she didn’t even explain. It was a just simple blessing.
She may not have realized it at the time, but she actually taught me something important with that simple gesture, and she inspired me to incorporate it into my own practice.
***
Ever since that day, any time I’m in the car—whether I’m driving to and from school or Bloomington, anywhere, really—if I see an animal that’s been hit, no matter how big or small—deer, opossum, raccoon, squirrel, chipmunk—I whisper the blessing, “OM. AH. HUM.” three times.
This short, sweet prayer of purification is both simple and direct. “OM” purifies the body. “AH” purifies speech and sound. “HUM” purifies the mind.
Many times, what I think may be an animal is actually something else. I can’t tell you how many times I have “OM. AH. HUMMED” rolled up carpets, abandoned mufflers, shoes, shredded bits of semi tires, and bags of garbage on the side of the road. It doesn’t matter. I whisper “OM. AH. HUM.” anyway, hoping it may be of benefit.
Marietta’s simple gesture helped me stay alert and aware of others and my environment. That’s what this practice is all about—recognizing the relationship between self and others and acknowledging the importance of interconnection.
***
On my drive to school yesterday, a deer crossed the road several yards in front of me. Thankfully, I had plenty of time to slow down to let her cross. I could make out her silhouette in the early morning darkness. She turned her head, the flash of her bluish-green eyeshine reflected back at me.
She made it safely across the street. I slowed down even more, knowing that they often travel in groups. “OM. AH. HUM.”
It’s a reminder to take care—to remember interdependence is everywhere. Nothing we have or do exists or happens without others’ expertise, effort, or service.
Even the simplest of circumstances or situations: “OM. AH. HUM.”
This offering mantra is a simple way to give back. May you be well. May you be happy. May you live with ease. Whether in this life or the next: “OM. AH. HUM.”
***
I woke up early this morning, unsettled from a dream image.
I dreamt that I was trapped in a sphere-shaped pod. The doors were heavy and thick like those on an elevator. I kept trying to open the hatch, but the doors wouldn’t open. I peered through a cloudy square window and noticed that strangers in a nearby pod were watching me and laughing at my distress. I felt isolated, disconnected, and panicked.
The image startled me awake, and I awoke feeling scattered and anxious.
I sat up in bed and remembered a meditation that I had read by Lama Yeshe.
I closed my eyes and imagined that white light filled my head, saturating all the creases and folds of my brain—that my entire head space was saturated with this soft, white light.
I took three long, slow breaths and exhaled and vocalized an extended, “OMMMMMMMMMMM.”
I gave myself time to sit with this light image, and I let the sound drift throughout the bedroom. I allowed thoughts and feelings to drift as well as I noticed the rise and fall of my belly.
After a few minutes, I brought my attention to my throat and imagined a translucent red light saturating the vertebrae of my cervical spine, larynx, and esophagus.
I took three slow breaths, then exhaled and vocalized an extended, “AHHHHHHHHHHH.”
I visualized the soft red light and imagined that the sounds settled into the darkness of the room, into the warm flannel sheets, the books on the nightstand, the clothes hanging in the closet, and into the floor.
Finally, I brought my awareness to my heart and visualized a clear blue translucent light filling and radiating from my chest.
I took three long breaths and exhaled, “HUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMM.”
Light and sound settled my heart and mind, alleviated my anxiety, and soothed my scattered thoughts.
It just took a few minutes, but this simple meditation was an effective tool that helped me to regulate and calm my mind.
***
I am grateful for these simple and beneficial practices. I am grateful for sincere friendships, and I am grateful for those of you who take the time to read or listen to these monthly musings.
I hope this month of February has treated you well, and I hope that March will have many blessings and meaningful lessons to offer all of us.
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Please visit the MMM homepage HERE for the current collection of hand-knotted malas.
I’ve also included the link to the Lama Yeshe article about the OM. AH. HUM. meditation that I referenced earlier, if you’re interested.
(Photo credit: Manoj Balotia courtesy of Unsplash)
Peace and strength to all of you—
Warmly,
Teresa