Accessing the Power of Gratitude

The practise of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone, or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.

That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Remember that gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.

There are many things to be grateful for: colourful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, fresh eggs, warm jackets, tomatoes, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What’s on your list?

Some Ways to Practice Gratitude

•                Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly, or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.

•                Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures.

•                Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.

•                Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation.

•                When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.

•                Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks for gratitude.

As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work.

Moments

Moments worth celebrating in a career of teaching. 

A new teacher had a student come up to her at recess and said to her, I hope I am in your classroom. A moment at the start of a (hopefully) long and rewarding hcareer

A  retired teacher was having breakfast with his wife at an I hop and a former student of his, from about 25 years ago, stopped and talked to him. The student remembered the teacher and talked about how the teacher had made the math class interesting and fun. A moment after a 40 year career.

They talked for about ten minutes and the former student left, with his family. As the former student was leaving he came back to his ex teachers table and dropped an envelope on the table and said thank you again, and he left. The retired teacher opened the envelop and there was a gift certificate for $30.00, enough to pay for his and his wife's breakfast.

As a former teacher, I know that we as teachers touch lives. We make a difference to all we come in contact with over our careers. To all my teacher friends who are hanging in till the first big holiday, you too will have your moments. Cherish them and keep on touching and changing lives.

Its always nice to hear about....

We arrived home to day and while I was checking my very large list of emails that I had not read, I read this one. It is interesting that every now and then when you need it you get emails that remind you that what we do impacts people, this is one of those emails.

Dear Royce,

We've spoken on the phone and emailed back and forth a few times so I hope you remember me..

I published a blog post that took me many years to think about and months to write. It was difficult to articulate what I was trying to express about what teaching the Humanities co-op means to me. Every now and then I send you a thank you for choosing to do what you did when you were asked to create a "work experience" program in the district.  And I also send a thank you to your wife who suggested " Just ask them"... 

Here is the blog post.. It's very long so I'll understand if you don't have time to read it.

Regards,

Lizanne

I did read her thoughts and found them to be very interesting and well articulated piece of writing that I would recommend to all of you to read.

Appreciation

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.  Margaret Cousins

How does this quote shift the way you perceive your world? 

How does this inspire you?  How does it mentor you? 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving everyone

From my home to yours--Have a happy thanksgiving day with family and friends

Some History as you enjoy this special day.

Many thanksgivings were held following noteworthy events during the 18th century. Refugees fleeing the civil war in the United States brought the custom of an annual thanksgiving festival to Canada.

Early European thanksgivings were held to give thanks for some special fortune.

An early example is the ceremony the explorer Martin Frobisher held in 1578 after he had survived the long journey in his quest to find a northern passage from Europe to Asia.

From 1879, Thanksgiving Day was held every year but the date varied and there was a special theme each year.

The theme was the "Blessings of an abundant harvest" for many years. However, Queen Victoria's golden and diamond jubilees and King Edward VII's coronation formed the theme in later years.

From the end of the First World War until 1930, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day were celebrated on the Monday closest to November 11, the anniversary of the official end of hostilities in World War I.

In 1931, Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day and Thanksgiving Day was moved to a Monday in October.

Since 1957, Thanksgiving Day has always been held on the second Monday in October.

Its never to late

It's never, never, never too late, to give thanks in advance for the help you stand in need of, as if you've already received it. Because you just wouldn't believe how much you can accomplish in no time at all. 
It is also never to late to say thank you for the help others have given you over time, nor is it too late to say thank you for the joy people bring into your life.

On another note, Happy Birthday to my daughter (Canadian time, not Australian) who has brought me joy and laughter over the years. Have a Happy day or I hope you had a happy day yesterday in Australia.