Did you know that the word appreciate has two meanings – to be grateful for, and to grow. That is exactly what gratitude does in your life – the more you appreciate the things, people, experiences in your life, the more you seem to notice things to appreciate and the more good stuff you attract.
Teaching kids this basic daily practice is easy and fun – on your way to school get into a habit of taking turns to express things that you are grateful for. It is such an uplifting way to start the day and it helps kids to focus on the positive in their lives – an attitude that will serve them in everything that they do.
There are so many things to be thankful for if we stop for a moment and take notice – these can be big or small and could include things like…
- I’m grateful for the beautiful tress on the way to school.
- I’m grateful for my family.
- I’m grateful that today is swimming day.
- I’m grateful for the person who let me in in the traffic.
- I’m grateful for the cup of tea that was made for me this morning.
- I’m grateful for my health.
- I’m grateful for the car that we’re driving in.
- I’m grateful for…
Listing the positives is easy once you get going. I like to take this to the next level and say thank you for the negatives in my life too…
- I’m grateful for the headache I have right now.
- I’m grateful for my grumpy boss.
- I’m grateful for this traffic jam.
The mind is a funny thing, and when we start saying thanks for things that appear to be negative, then it starts wondering, “why am I doing this” and then proceeds to come up with answers… “I’m grateful for the headache because it’s reminding me to drink more water before my kidneys pack up; I’m grateful for the grumpy boss so that I don’t get too comfortable in a job and instead keep pursuing my dreams of working for myself; I’m grateful for the traffic jam for giving me time to really reflect on what I’m grateful for!”
Gratitude is like magic in the way it can transform your life – every day list, name, or express your gratitude for at least five things – try it for a month watch how the magic grows. Teach your kids to do this and see what magical lives they create for themselves!
trained in both in traditional therapy, with a BA in Psychology and a certification in Trauma Counselling, and in various alternative therapies including Neuro Linguistic Programming, Life Coaching, Hypnotherapy, Stress Biofeedback, and Time Paradigm Techniques. For more information, please visit her Website for further information
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