Here in the US, we are coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday. Many of us have spent time giving thanks, whether naming specifics around the dinner table or filling a gratitude journal. It is a good practice to be grateful.
It would be easy to end the story here, but it wouldn’t be the whole story. The whole truth is: although it is a good practice to be grateful, it is also hard.
Sometimes life isn’t warm and fuzzy. This is true both in and out of classrooms. There are times when I’ve decided to be grateful, even though I didn’t feel like it. Here are four ways to find grit for gratitude.
Think Small
Notice the details of your day. There are always small things we can claim as a gratitude. For example, are you wearing a comfy pair of shoes? Do you have a favorite pen? Did someone smile at you? Sometimes in the midst of hard things, it is easy to miss small things. Be on the look out for small bits throughout the day to name as a gratitude.
Go for a Walk
Even when it’s too cold or too grey for a walk, I alway find myself more grateful at the end of a walk than at the beginning. Fresh air is good and taking time to slow down the day by going for a walk often gives a fresh perspective.
Laugh
Laughter makes us feel better. Find a way to laugh every day. Spend time with young children, crack open a joke book, or watch funny cat videos on YouTube. (That last one is my 7th grade son’s recommendation.) If you’re going through the day without laughing, it’s time to adjust your radar and tune into the funny things happening around you. Humans are funny creatures. If you’re spending your days around humans — big or small — there are certainly reasons to laugh!
Be Inspired
I love this collection of quotes inspired by Thanksgiving on the PicMonkey blog. It’s an exceptional roundup and one that I think you will enjoy too. Take a minute to click over and see what’s waiting for you.
Why not start the practice of naming the things you are grateful for by leaving a comment on this blog post? Not only will it inspire others, but it will help us connect as a community.
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