Blog - Gratitude

Gratitude

I think there's an important milestone that is often overlooked, if even acknowledged. It's the first time your child says
"Thank you" without being prompted. And not the kind of "thank you" that comes from realizing this is a social obligation
from receiving something. But the kind of "thank you" that you can see in their eyes, hear in their voice; the kind of thank
you that comes from genuine gratitude that is warming them from within. Learning to live genuine gratitude is one of the
greatest gifts we can give our children.

I believe we are all born with this ability to feel and express genuine gratitude. When a caregiver feeds a baby, they
instinctively smile and coo in response to their need being satisfied. Kids know how to fully appreciate the pure joy evoked
from simple things like seeing an airplane land, swinging at the park, or hearing their favorite story read for the zillionth
time. They savor the taste of their favorite food, delight in bubbles and balloons. My 5 year old proclaims, "This is the best
day of my life!" at least once a week. And it's not over monumental stuff. Life feels more magical for him over finding a cool
rock, getting the free giveaway from the grocery store, or the 2 minutes a neighbor spends tossing the football with him.
As adults, can we say our lives are transformed by the simple with such frequency?

For many adults, the art of gratitude is lost over the years from lack of nurturing. We tire of promptly writing thank yous to
others, especially for small tasks others do. We don't have time to really ponder the time and effort behind the giver's
thought, or the circumstances of a situation. And we lack the energy to really sit with emotion evoked from receiving
something, be it a gift or a turn of events. It's one more thing to do on our never-ending list of things to accomplish at
work and home. Moreover, years of stress and misfortune can make a person jaded.

Yet, recent academic studies have shown that gratitude has positive effects on physical and mental well-being, and overall
health.

Gratitude is more than the obligatory "Thank you" uttered after receiving a gift, or a favor, or a blessing. It is the lens
through which we see life. When gratitude is pure, it rejuvenates us, warms our souls, and leads us to view the richness of
life in any situation.

While genuine gratitude is an important milestone for our kids, genuine gratitude is also one of the greatest gifts we can
rekindle for ourselves. We must consciously be mindful of favors, gifts, and happenstance - acknowledging them, pondering
them, sincerely feeling the emotion or connection they evoke. We must respond to that uplifting and centering feeling by
expressing it, by living it.

It is by living with gratitude that our lives become continuously enriched. We not only more fully appreciate things in life,
but we find more things to appreciate. As the old spiritual law goes, the more you have and are grateful for, the more you
will be given.

"Gratitude is the heart's memory." - French Proverb

Something our kids seem to know. Something for us to consider this holiday season.