Growing up in the UK, I was always jealous of American Thanksgiving.

The holiday all about gratitude, the earth's abundance, the kindness of others, family, and

of course, food.

It's a lovely concept.

But like so many holidays, it can mean many different things than many different people.

It might be one you're incredibly fond of.

Or it might be one you find deeply painful. Or perhaps it's one you don't celebrate at all.

Let's just take a moment and feel what arises in the body when you think about Thanksgiving.

Is it warmth, tension, ambivalence, anger?

Whatever it may be, let's name it, and sit with it for a moment.

Even allowing multiple of these feelings to exist all at once. I know that this season can feel challenging for many people.

So in that spirit, for this special I know that this season can feel challenging for many people,

so in that spirit, for this special episode of meditative story,

I'd like to share three different practice ideas for you to try over the holidays.

The first is for people who don't have anywhere to go.

Music The first is for people who don't have anywhere to go. Loneliness is really hard.

And for all the Thanksgiving mythology that portrays everyone wrapped up in the warmth of a large and largely welcoming family,

the reality for many of us is that there can be a time

spent alone and isolated. Loneliness can manifest in a number of different ways, and I found that

one of the most useful mindfulness techniques to try during a difficult experience like this

is one developed by the great Tara Brach called Rain. It's a four-stage process that might help you find a little space

in a situation that otherwise might feel too much to bear.

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