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Thanksgiving asks us to be grateful.
But what if you are overwhelmed? What if your family relationships are strained, someone you love is missing, or the suffering of the world feels too big to set aside?
What if gratitude can't be called forth simply because the calendar tells you that it's time?
This Thanksgiving, I’d like to invite you into a different kind of gratitude practice, one that does not ask you to deny your grief, your loneliness, anger, fear or your &nbsp;uncertainty.
Thanksgiving Without Pretending&nbsp;is a seven-day email practice for meeting these holidays, and your life, exactly as they are.
Each morning from Monday through Sunday, November 17 through November 22, you will receive an email exploring one of the inner obstacles that can make gratitude and love difficult:
<ul><li>Overwhelm</li><li>Judgment</li><li>Disconnection</li><li>Scarcity and comparison</li><li>Jealousy</li><li>Sadness and loss</li><li>Isolation</li></ul>
You will not be asked to push these feelings away or replace them with positive thoughts. Instead, you will explore what becomes possible when you meet each experience with honesty, curiosity, and compassion.
Every email will include:
<ul><li>A short inspirational teaching</li><li>A guided meditation</li><li>A Zen koan or contemplative phrase</li><li>A poem</li><li>A simple practice connected to the holidays</li><li>A question to carry with you throughout the day</li></ul>
The practices will take approximately 10–15 minutes and can be done wherever you are. Regardless of whether you are preparing a large family meal, spending the holidays quietly, caring for someone, traveling, grieving, or choosing not to celebrate in the usual way the time spent in these practices will be a healing salve.
Gratitude is not pretending that everything is good. It is the willingness to receive what's here. It's remembering what continues to sustain you. It's allowing sorrow and appreciation, absence and love, to sit together at the same table.
Perhaps the deeper question of Thanksgiving is not:
What should I be grateful for?
But:
Can I meet this life with an open heart, and what becomes possible when I do?
I would be honored to practice with you.
Thanksgiving Without Pretending A Seven-Day Practice of Gratitude, Belonging, and Love
Dates:&nbsp;November 17-22, 2026 Cost:&nbsp;$50.00 Delivered:&nbsp;One email each morning Register here:&nbsp;https://IllanaBerger.as.me/ThanksgivingWithoutPretending

Local Event: Thanksgiving Without Pretending: A Seven-Day Email Practice of Gratitude, Belonging, and Love

Santa Cruz County

Pleasure Point

California

Thanksgiving Without Pretending: A Seven-Day...

Thanksgiving asks us to be grateful.
But what if you are overwhelmed? What if your family relationships are strained, someone...

Thanksgiving Without Pretending: A Seven-Day Email Practice of Gratitude, Belonging, and Love

 Lighthouse, 701 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060

This one-of-a-kind market takes place along West Cliff Drive in beautiful Santa Cruz, overlooking the iconic Steamers Lane surf spot—a favorite destination for both locals and tourists.The Outdoor market features one of a kind local vendors with unique gifts perfect for the holiday season .Also enjoy the food trucks while you soak up one of the best events Santa Cruz has to offer over Thanksgiving Weekend.

Local Event: West Cliff Thanksgiving Outdoor Market

Santa Cruz

West Cliff Thanksgiving Outdoor Market

This one-of-a-kind market takes place along West Cliff Drive in beautiful Santa Cruz, overlooking the iconic Steamers Lane surf...

Capitola Mall

Pleasure Point CA

Flynn Creek Circus

Bay Area

Capitola-Soquel

Scotts Valley

Watsonville

Santa Clara County

Los Gatos

Saratoga

Gilroy

Campbell

Cupertino

Los Altos

Illusive Comics & Games, LLC

All are welcome at Illusive Comics &amp; Games, located in Santa Clara. Woman owned and all spectrum friendly, we are a brightly lit, well organized, and welcoming shop. It's easy for anyone to come in and wander, and shop. Roll some gorgeous dice and play some boardgames if you have the time. We will you pick out the perfect item you're looking for! We have the largest selection of new comics in the Bay Area. You can also find Dungeons &amp; Dragons, Pokemon, Magic: the Gathering, and a huge selection of boardgames. We've got comic books for every age, starting with Superhero board books. We have a full weekend of events all of the time, which we update on our website each week. There's also space for free Boardgaming for you and your friends. Illusive has been a Santa Clara mainstay since 2007. We're on Stevens Creek at Lawrence Expy and 280, next to Harbor Freight, on the other end of the center from MicroCenter. Open every day of the year, our Holiday Hours for 2026/27 are Mon 11a-7p Tues 12p-7p Wed 11a-8p Thur 11a-7p Fri 11a-9p Sat 10a-7p Sun 11a-7p (Libraries, Teachers and Schools- contact us for bulk ordering discounts for your schools and fundraising options!)

All are welcome at Illusive Comics & Games, located in Santa Clara. Woman owned and all spectrum friendly, we are a brightly lit, well organized,...

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Illusive Comics & Games, LLC