The Simple Practice That Changed Me

Sunday Supper Newsletter

Welcome to Sunday Supper!

Set the Table

Say your grace

Prayer - Dear God, Help me never forget to say, “Thank you!” Amen.

Affirmation - I choose gratitude.

Gratitude - I am grateful for memories connected to food.

I am grateful for every reader, subscriber, commenter, and those who share this newsletter with others.

The Main Dish

Dig in

The Simple Practice That Changed Me

Gratitude is an intentional practice. It’s not a required part of the human experience, but for me, it is necessary for joy and peace.

Finding Joy in Isolation

I started a daily gratitude practice in 2020 while recovering from Achilles surgery. I was isolated due to the pandemic and quite depressed because I couldn’t walk.

I decided to start each day with gratitude to help me manage my emotions. Before I opened my eyes to see the new day, I paused and thought about the things I’m grateful for: the rose bud I saw yesterday, people who love me, and those who helped me recover. These daily, early-morning gratitude sessions worked. I felt better, my depression went away, and I made a full recovery.

A Sacred Start

Since gratitude worked for me then, I continue to incorporate it in my life. I don’t know what each day will bring, but I do know that I have control over the time before I get out of bed. There aren’t family demands taking place at this time, the preverbial to-do list isn’t at the top of my mind, the emails are still in queue, and my silence is not yet interrupted by a buzzing phone. This early-morning pause, a moment of intentional silence, is my sanctuary.

Gratitude Through Reflection

Reflection is a part of my gratitude practice. This week, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my dad, who was promoted to ancestor in 2018. He was a wonderful husband, father, and community member. I thought about his candied yams, pecan (puh-khan) pie, and even the excellent breakfasts he made. He made the best rice, and we often ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. His food was a portal that gave me comfort. The patience and love he showed in the kitchen, like how he meticulously cut onions, peppers, and celery for my mom’s Thanksgiving dressing, was the same patience and love he showed to family, friends, and strangers. Each cut served a purpose, and the perfectly diced vegetables helped make my mama’s dressing perfect. Teamwork! My grief from his transition to ancestor lingers, but reflective gratitude helps me find joy in these beautiful memories.

From Reflection to In-the-Moment Joy

Initially, my gratitude was all about reflecting. However, my gratitude practice grew from just a reflective practice to include an in-the-moment practice as well. When I’m playing my guitar, enjoying a concert, on a date, or even when I see an adorable baby, I make time to show gratitude in the moment. This gratitude sparks joy. I spent too much of my life rushing, never stopping to smell the roses. Now, I must stop, take in those special moments, and show gratitude.

Gratitude Practice

A gratitude practice is not limited by age, socioeconomic status, gender identity, or location. It is a free and accessible way to discover joy and peace.

Gratitude helped heal me in 2020, and it continues to heal and strengthen me.

Lessons

I want to learn from you. Do you practice gratitude? If so, what do you do?

Pot Likker and Cornbread Crumbs

There’s flavor in the small things.

Gratitude is a powerful practice.

Table Talk

Join the Conversation

What are you grateful for?

Potluck

From Our Community Kitchen: Book, Music, Art, Substack

Book

I’m grateful that I have “The Black Family Reunion Cookbook” in my collection.

Music

I’m grateful for the ancestors who prayed for me.

Art

I’m grateful because my mom taught me to set the dinner table.

Table setting is an art form. I love mixing real and faux elements into table centerpieces, especially when I can’t find flowers in the color scheme I've created. The centerpiece below is from last year’s Thanksgiving table setting.

Substack Recommendation

Check out Talicha’s Substack. I am grateful that I learned about contrapuntals at 9 AM.

Contrapuntals at 9AM

Recipe Exchange

What’s on the menu?

I never know who’s going to stop by my house for Thanksgiving, so I always have enough food for the “just in case they come” guests.

This year, the menu includes:

• Chicken and dressing

• Smoked Turkey

• Ham

• Greens (Vegan and With Meat)

• Cornbread

• Jambalaya

• Candied Yams

• Pasta Salad

• Macaroni and Cheese

• Green Beans

• Sweet Potato Pie

• Tea Cakes

One of my favorite dishes is candied yams. Every time I eat or make candied yams, I think about my dad. He made the best. He is the only person I know who sliced his sweet potatoes vertically. When I want to cut my potatoes quickly, I cut them into rounds, but when I’m feeling nostalgic, I cut them like my dad.

The recipe below is very similar to how my dad used to prepare candied yams. He never used brown sugar, but the other ingredients are similar to those of the chef. If you try this recipe, let me know.

Dessert

A Sweet Send-Off

I often get lost in the archives of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I found this picture while perusing those archives, and it brought me joy.

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Princetta R. Newman, March 12, 1967