Share Gratitude a little Differently this Year
While we strive to live thanks every day, most people in this country are focused on thankfulness for one day each year. Well that big day is upon us and it can be a great opportunity to show others the gratitude path we have found. Many people ask how to get their loved ones to be more grateful. Well here are some tips:
- Be a role model – The best way to get others to do it is to share your authentic gratitude with them. You can show them what it’s like to find gratitude for the little things in life. You can also tell people about your gratitude practice.
- Remove the pressure – Instead of asking them what they are grateful for, hand them a sheet of paper to write their gratitude.
- Give them options – Give them a list of gratitude questions and let them choose the one they are inspired to answer. Let them know that even the words they use are a choice. Some gratitude alternatives: appreciate, thankful, grateful, humbled by, love, really in to, blessings, etc.
This Thanksgiving, instead of going around the table saying what you are grateful for, try a writing activity instead. This will allow the more introverted ones to feel just as included but without the pressure of public speaking. Afterward you can always have a discussion and invite people to share what they wrote.
I made this great printable placemat for just this purpose. It is 11×17, so unless you happen to have a giant printer you will probably have to take it to your local print shop. If you laminate it, you can use wet or dry erase markers and reuse it next year!
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/ThanksgivingPlacemat.pdf” background=”#e9e9e9″ color=”#000000″ center=”no” desc=”Thanksgiving Placemat PDF”]DOWNLOAD[/su_button]
[su_quote cite=”Ralph Marston”]Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/activity/” background=”#178fb3″]What do you appreciate about your day today?[/su_button]
My Gratitude Experience Last Week
You might remember that last time I was feeling down. Who would have known that only days later I would learn of the death of a client, friend, fellow musician and all-around kindred spirit, Chalotte Calanca. My heart is breaking for my dear friend Allisun who was very close with Chalotte. Does life send us the little ups and downs like I felt last week to help us learn our own resilience for dealing with bigger losses? Whatever it is I am grateful for the reminder to prioritize time with my friends and loved ones. Life really can be way too short.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for stopping to listen to the woodpecker in my neighbor’s tree … My lady who always takes the trash out and makes sure the dogs have plenty of fresh water … Reaching the half way point.
A New eCard
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
[su_table]
| Sun | 11/23/2014 | I’m grateful for playing Manu Chao way too loud and laughing about it again and again … I’m grateful for this beautiful documentary I am watching right now called Alive Inside that shows how listening to music from their past can help people with Alzheimer’s to reconnect with their memories, their eyes light up and the stories flow … I’m grateful for delivering silly joyful gifts just because … I’m grateful for watching Eva’s steps and her two teeth. |
| Sat | 11/22/2014 | I’m grateful for the new moon and another chance to create a visual depicting my future and knowing that it will be … A day of cooking delicious food to nourish us, it tasted exceptionally good thanks to all the love I put into it … Getting through the most challenging part of my knitting project. |
| Fri | 11/21/2014 | I am grateful to read the gratitude of others here on our collective, this place is such a breath of fresh air … I am grateful for two cups of the most delicious creamy hot chai … I am grateful for simplicity, sometimes the most obvious answers really are the best answers … I’m grateful for Surplus’s doggy sweater that somehow makes me so fucking happy to see each and every time … I am grateful for planning together and those plans including a gratitude dance party! |
| Thu | 11/20/2014 | I’m grateful to have such a close loving family, my mom and dad and four smart, grounded, risk-taking sisters, two loyal brothers in law, two nephews and three nieces … I’m grateful for the little family we have, my girlfriend and I and our three dogs … I’m grateful that my girlfriend’s family is so close and loving and welcoming … I’m grateful to have close friends, so close that we tell each other that we love each other, they are my chosen family. I am rich in family in so many ways. |
| Wed | 11/19/2014 | I’m grateful to live in Albuquerque and have so many connections in business, music, family, friends everywhere I go … I’m grateful for having a warm cozy house full of love to come home to … I’m grateful for cuddling up with my love and laughing our heads off at ridiculous antics … I’m grateful for two of my sweet doggies who like to cuddle up on the chair when I am at my desk. Look at these cuties! |
| Tue | 11/18/2014 | I’m grateful for green chile stew and getting my boots back from the repair shop and my new warm coat with a cozy hood … A root canal averted … A no-show class and instead running into my Auntie Laura … Excitement, hope and possibilities renewed. |
| Mon | 11/17/2014 | I’m grateful for inspiration, it didn’t come on my time frame but it came powerfully … I’m grateful for being wrapped in a big bear hug of love and support and encouragement … I’m grateful for talking to my best friend on the phone and feeling connected even though there are way too many miles between us. |
[/su_table]
[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″]
My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it!
A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide.
My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can to. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336.
Created by Antonia Montoya[/su_note]