Season of Gratitude
As we head towards the end of the year, many are undoubtedly stressed or anxious. The holiday season is about to start, and it will look different than most this year. However, it is important we take the time to look back, think about what we have accomplished and consider what we are grateful for. Maybe you were able to figure out how to work from home or you stepped in as a temporary teacher for your children. Perhaps you finished a renovation, picked up a new skill or habit, or took care of some of the things that have been on your to-do list for a while. Either way it is important to acknowledge your positive progress.
Some people keep a gratitude journal, writing down the wins they have had during a week. Some have started a gratitude pumpkin leading up to Thanksgiving, as a project to do with their children[1]. But whether you are putting it on paper or a gourd, keeping track of where there has been growth has proven to have a positive impact on our lives. It can calm individuals down before sleep, so they are well rested and focused. Recording what you are grateful for in a particular time period can also help center you on what you have achieved and then pinpoint the next steps you can take to make that accomplishment better. Or, as we head into the holiday season it can help center you on what went right during possible moments of stress or hecticness.
Further, when you are part of a team, be it your family or the people you work with, sharing your wins and what you are grateful for can help strengthen relationships and foster growth. If the entire team is focusing on what went right, they will be more aligned with progressing in the direction that will result in more wins for the team. Consider tracking what you are grateful for this season and check back in next week to see how you can pass on more than just wealth to your loved ones, something they may appreciate in the future.
[1] https://www.today.com/parents/thankful-pumpkin-makes-it-easy-celebrate-fall-kids-t140031