Expressing Thanks

Given recent events, I woke the other day determined to make a choice ..... resume my ridiculous “pity-party” or, slap on a smile and Give Thanks for the new day. Dusting off my neglected “Gratitude Journal” ~ then spending quality time in reflection ~ has made such a difference! Tucked inside I found this story .....a unique, but sweet example of expressing thanks:

It tells of a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a spider-web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso; a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside the Golden Gate bridge) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off; the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her …..a very dangerous proposition! One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers said she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them gently – she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time and he will never be the same.

“May you and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And may we be so filled with gratitude that we swim in circles of joy!”

A most blessed Thanksgiving to you all!