Today is World Gratitude Day, a day to bring the world together to say a collaborative thanks. Although Thanksgiving is right around the corner, not everyone celebrates this holiday so it’s important for those who don’t to show their appreciation too. Here are just a few ways to mark this holiday.
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Try the Alphabet Letter Game: If you have small children, you could use the foam letters from their bath toys, an alphabet game or letter book. Each take a letter at a time and say something you are thankful for beginning with that letter. Some of these will be easy, ‘R- I am thankful for the roof over my head’ but once you hit the xs and zs in the collection, it may get a bit tricker.
Take pen to paper: Think about something that someone has done for you lately- baked a cake, looked after your child, taken the bins out/in for you- whatever it might be and write them a thankyou note. There is nothing more uplifting than knowing that you made a difference to someone’s life, even with a small gesture.
Get on social media: If someone has done something amazing for you and you want to shout it from the rooftops- why not tell all your friends what their actions did for you? If they are shy or modest, you don’t need to tag them in it, but simply tell your story of a kind stranger and they can read it anonymously.
Start a gratitude journal: If you struggle to find things to be grateful for on a day-to-day basis, a journal could help you to focus and seek things out that you would normally overlook. There are small joys to be found, you just need to retrain your brain to find them. Writing each one down could help you to shift your attention to a more positive place.
MORE: Top tips for practising gratitude
For every negative thought- counteract it with a grateful one: For instance- if you are annoyed that it is raining on the school drop off, be thankful that you have some shelter to go home to. If you have a bad day at work, it’s important to note that you have a means of supporting yourself and your family. If you put on a couple of pounds, be thankful that you have food in excess rather than too little.
Drop someone a text: If you are not in the writing mood, send someone a text to let them know how grateful you are for them. And if they come back with a ‘why?’- tell them all the reasons they add joy to your life. You could always leave a post it note or send someone an email too- it all depends on your preferred method of communication.
Play the gratitude game at dinner: Ask everyone at the table to share what they are grateful for today. This will not only honour the day but it might also spark some dinner time conversation as you all delve a little deeper into why you are appreciative for the things you are.
Happy National Gratitude Day!
MORE: What does it mean to dream about gratitude?
