Giving Thanks all year round
Cultivating a Family Culture
Feelings make us human. But how we react and what perspective we adopt is what sets us apart from the rest. Often the distillation of human nature is to focus on what we don’t have, what is missing in our lives. The job or promotion we did not get, the nasty back channeling about employers when we perceive being undervalued, the umbrage towards our partner for not pulling their weight, the resentment with friends who don’t come through for us, the frustration with children and family members who take up too much bandwidth. With Thanksgiving upon us, let’s swivel our perspective to get to a place of genuine gratitude and adopt habits to foster a positive mindset.
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can, like a wave, surge and tide over life’s challenge. With the holidays upon us, it is time to widen the arc and transform our families with the practice of gratitude. As we gather around the dinner table laden with food, let’s consciously integrate routines to cultivate a lasting habit of familial gratitude. Let’s dive into dynamic and impactful strategies that will transform our household into a haven of appreciation and positivity.
A Family Affair
Here are some of the steps I am adopting to reinforce thankfulness. Collective practice to strengthen family bonds and create a supportive environment for expressing appreciation. By consistently integrating these habits into our routines, I am looking to develop a lasting attitude of gratitude that enhances both personal happiness and relationships within our close circles. Verbalizing specific acknowledgements is a simple but effective tools to deepen connections and reinforce positive feelings. Expressing thanks to others is a small step with big dividends - and these can start at family gatherings.
Reframing negative situations by finding a silver lining is a big perception shift that can also help cultivate a gratitude mindset even during tough times. Going hand in hand is celebrating the small wins, an exercise which also appreciates progress no matter how minor.
Here are some concepts that might work for us:
· Establishing a dedicated time each week for family members to share what they are grateful for. This could be during meals, before bed or at the start of a weekend day. By encouraging dialogue, this fosters open communication and builds resilient connections.
· Another ritual is to create a gratitude jar or bowl, where each family member can write down things they are grateful for. It would be useful to set aside time weekly to reflect on these entries together. This exercise could evolve into one of self-reflection, writing and gratitude.
· Leading by example can be a powerful tool - as a parent or guardian, verbally expressing our appreciation for things is the perfect example for children to follow. This modeling behavior can significantly influence their attitudes towards gratitude.
· Participating in community service activities as a family can foster a sense of gratitude by helping others in need. Discussing the impact of these actions on both the recipients and your family, reinforces the value of giving back.
As we build gratitude, empathy follows. The ability to consider others’ feelings and perspectives deepens our connections and fosters kindness. Patience and kindness follows close on its heels and the circle of wellness widens, bringing more into its fold. Thanksgiving is a timely reminder to give thanks, voice appreciation, restate kindness and count our blessings. Dear readers lets' jointly commit to a more compassionate world and ensure Thanksgiving is an ongoing celebration all year round.
We are stronger together
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