The Threads That Weave Us
A time to remember the departed, and practice gratitude
“We are always connected to our ancestors; our bodies hold the memories of those who came before us, whether it is the features we inherit or a disposition that is etched into our soul.” - Alyson Richman
If you’d like to practice gratitude, cultivate community, and gain perspective, remembering your ancestors is a good practice.
What is the “Ancestor Effect”? In 2010, researchers found that people who think about their ancestors perform better on cognitive tests, and may have greater feelings of agency and higher motivation to achieve self-goals.
This is a time of year when we use traditions to remember our ancestors: Halloween, All Saints Day (Western Christianity), Day of the Dead (Mexico), and Fét Gede (Haiti). These traditions during other parts of the year include Pchum Ben (Cambodia), Ghost Festival (China), and Obon (Japan).
Remembering our ancestors reminds us of our gifted existence — how we are literally the product of their intentional choices, chance encounters, and love.
May we appreciate our ancestors, practice gratitude for their gift, and ponder the threads that weave us into existence.
And may we see our ancestors in our children.
