Gratitude When Others Are “Winning”…and We Aren’t
As adults, we know how bad it can feel when it seems like everyone else is winning or thriving, and we just…aren’t. This is hard for our kids, too. They might see other kids get awards and recognition, when they…
Gratitude for Food
During this week, in particular, we find ourselves grateful for all kinds of delicious foods. We feast on the bounty, and it is a wonderful time to celebrate and express our thankfulness! I’m wondering, though, how grateful we are for…
Gratitude for Modern Appliances
In the last 24 hours, I’ve used a stove, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher–some of them multiple times! Most of us can’t imagine our daily lives without the use of these appliances, yet we take them for…
Gratitude for Beauty
No matter where we live, beauty can be found. Trees, grass, flowers, hills, mountains, water, sky… Natural, God-made beauty is all around us. Beauty can also be found in paintings, drawings, sculptures, writings, music, film, photography, handwork, design… SO much…
Gratitude for Talents and Abilities
Each of us is gifted in some way. It might be in sports, band, dance, drawing, painting, martial arts, choir, writing, editing, crafting, photography, memorization, storytelling, comedy, baking, sewing, woodworking, conversing, listening, gardening, knitting, decorating, problem-solving, doing magic tricks… The…
Gratitude for Health
Our health can be something we easily take for granted–especially when we’re young. As we get older, we start feeling (and talking about) the effects of aging. But even if our bodies have become more achy and less flexible, we…
Gratitude When We Feel Anxious, Worried, Overwhelmed, or Depressed
I have dealt with each of these feelings a lot in recent weeks (and years), and I’m betting I’m not alone in this. Some of us are more prone to these feelings, but none of us is immune to them.…
Gratitude for Teachers, Coaches, Directors, Etc.
Some of the most influential people in our children’s lives are often their teachers, coaches, directors, and others who are in positions of leadership over our kids. These are some tough, tough, jobs, but they are so important. Probably most…
Thankfulness: 5 Tips for Teaching Our Kids to Look Beyond Themselves
An attitude of thankfulness is sometimes hard to find in our increasingly me-centered society. Attitudes of selfishness and entitlement seem to run rampant, while attitudes of service and gratefulness are often squashed or might even be considered to be weak. …
Gratitude for Music
Music… Whether we sing, play an instrument, or simply listen to others do so, each of us probably has a real appreciation for music. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like music in at least…