Thanksgiving is tomorrow, marking the beginning of the hectic holiday season. That time of year when all family members gather together under one roof to laugh, love, and fight. As part of my own gratitude journey, I wanted to take a moment in this calm before the storm to reflect with fondness upon a family tradition.
Every year at our Thanksgiving dinner when the adults were squeezing in elbow to elbow at the big table and the children were jockeying for position at the kids table, my father would stand and proclaim, “before we say grace and eat, we are going to go around the room and each one of you needs to tell everyone here what you are grateful for.”
Expressing gratitude is not just one of our family traditions, its roots run deep in ancient philosophy and continue to be a central theme in many cultural traditions. The Stoics, for example, regarded gratitude as a cardinal virtue. In many religious traditions, gratitude is seen as a spiritual practice that brings individuals closer to their communities and the divine.
When I was young and sitting at the kids table and listening to what the others were saying about what they were grateful for, I was just thinking about being witty or clever. But when I began sitting at the adult table, the moment took on a whole new meaning for me. This simple act of shared gratitude became a spiritual event. Listening to my older family members bearing their souls, being honest and vulnerable, fostered a feeling of empathy and compassion. The shift in focus from what was lacking to what was present provided a powerful antidote to my feelings of anxiety and inadequateness. I realized how much I had and that, big or small, we all have something to be grateful for.
I have discovered that at its core, gratitude is the appreciation for what we have rather than what we lack. It involves recognizing the kindness of others, expressing thanks, and, as a result, feeling a sense of joy and contentment. I know now how important a character trait gratitude is, especially as a business leader. Each day I strive to express gratitude towards my therapists, administrators, leaders and, of course, myself.
Here are 7 strategies to enhance your gratitude journey.
- Model Gratitude
Children learn by observing their parents, so it is essential to model gratitude in your everyday life. Express appreciation openly and frequently, whether it is thanking your spouse for cooking dinner, thanking a colleague for covering your shift, or acknowledging a stranger’s kindness. Saying thank you, writing a quick post it, or shouting it on a public platform all go a long way in modeling.
- Create a Gratitude Ritual
Infusing gratitude into family traditions can create lasting memories and deepen bonds among family members. One way to do this is by establishing a gratitude ritual before meals, where each person shares something they are grateful for that day. Not just on holidays, but at all meals. This practice not only fosters open communication but also helps family members understand each other’s experiences and perspectives. It opens up dialogue and I bet no one will complain about the food.
- Encourage Volunteering
Get your children involved in community service projects. Volunteering helps children appreciate what they have and fosters empathy for others. It does not need to be a time-consuming commitment; once a month is a good starting point.
- Teach Thank-You Notes
Writing thank you cards has become a lost art. Remember how nice it was to receive a sincere, thoughtful, handwritten thank you card? Ah. Bring it back by encouraging your kids to write thank-you notes after receiving gifts or attending events. This practice helps them connect their feelings with words and actions.
- Use Gratitude Jars
Have each family member write down things they are grateful for on slips of paper and put them in a jar. Review them together periodically, once a month, to remind everyone of their blessings.
- Limit Materialism
Instead of focusing on material rewards, emphasize experiences and relationships. Encourage your children to find happiness in moments and memories rather than possessions.
- Discuss Challenges
The greatest challenge to teaching gratitude is societies’ obsession with materialism. Children are bombarded by advertising and a consumer culture bent on having the newest and most fashionable items. It is important to talk to your children about how advertising works and that people are trying to talk you into buying their products. Take a picture of what they want and tell them they can revisit it in a few weeks (most likely they forget!).
As parents, we intuitively know that teaching gratitude is the right thing to do. I can thank my father for our wonderful thanksgiving gratitude tradition and for instilling this character trait into me and my siblings. Now I strive to pass it on to my children and model gratitude as a leader at Blue Bird Day, Merlin Day Academy and Eyas Landing, an umbrella of pediatric therapy services in the Chicagoland area.
The Role of Gratitude in Personal Development
According to psychologists, gratitude plays a pivotal role in personal development by nurturing a mindset focused on appreciation and positive thinking. When individuals actively practice gratitude, they often experience enhanced self-awareness, gaining a clearer understanding of their values and priorities. This increased introspection allows for a more intentional approach to personal growth, as it drives individuals to seek experiences and goals that align with their sense of fulfillment. By focusing on gratitude, people can build a foundation of resilience, enabling them to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs with grace and perseverance.
While gratitude is often associated with psychological benefits, its influence on physical health is equally significant. Studies have shown that individuals who regularly practice gratitude tend to experience fewer symptoms of physical illness, such as headaches or chest pain, and report improved overall well-being. The consistent practice of gratitude not only enriches one’s personal journey but also influences the way individuals engage with the world around them, creating a ripple effect of positivity and connection.
Products to Teach Gratitude
This colorful and engaging book is perfect for young children, encouraging them to discover and reflect on the things they are grateful for in their everyday lives.
Designed with children in mind, these journals help kids practice daily gratitude and reflection, fostering a positive mindset and emotional growth.
A creative and visual way for children to express their thankfulness. They can add leaves with grateful thoughts, turning gratitude into a fun, interactive activity.
This 52-week guide is tailored for older kids and teens, helping them develop a consistent gratitude practice that promotes emotional resilience.
A lively game that inspires conversations about gratitude and kindness, making it a great tool for families to reinforce positive values and actions.
Cultivate Gratitude into Everyday Life
Cultivating gratitude in everyday life transforms how you perceive your circumstances and interactions. Practicing acts of gratitude can be easily integrated into daily routines, leading to profound changes in outlook and well-being. Incorporating gratitude into everyday life does not require grand gestures; often, it is the small, consistent practices that make the most significant impact. Simple actions, such as thanking someone who serves you, noting down a positive moment from your day, or even appreciating your own accomplishments, can cultivate gratitude.
Over time, gratitude practice becomes a way of life, encouraging you to slow down, stay present, and savor the moments that make life fulfilling. By embracing gratitude daily, you can nurture a mindset that improves both personal well-being and social relationships.
I want to personally thank all my staff, clients and community supports. I am grateful for my leadership team and their service to our clients and families. I know everyday how incredibly blessed I am to fulfill my passion to build the best pediatric therapy clinic in Chicago!
Remember this holiday season and each day from here that an attitude of gratitude not only enhances your mood but also shifts your perspective, allowing you to recognize the abundance in your life.
Learn More About My Programs
Blue Bird Day is a rotational therapy program structured like a preschool or kindergarten, but instead of teachers all our staff are therapists! This program is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation, and learning for children ages 2-7 and helps provide children the tools they need to succeed in a traditional classroom.
Eyas Landing is an outpatient therapy clinic that provides services for children ages 0-21. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists provide ABA, developmental, occupational, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy along with early intervention, social work, counseling, and neuropsychological testing at our West Loop clinic, in-home, at school, and virtually.
Merlin Day Academy is a therapeutic day school for children ages 6-14. Our proprietary model utilizes daily therapeutic and educational rotations to support children’s growth, learning, and their transition into the least restrictive environment possible.
