Living your life full of gratitude is a great way to be happier with your life. Unfortunately in this day and age of Me Me Me! It is hard and harder to do. We are constantly bombarded with new fancier gadgets, and trinkets. The commercialism in everyday life is overwhelming. As adults we have more of a choice in the matter, but the children fall most greatly to all this pressure. I often see one of two situations, children asking and getting or children asking and getting yelled at. Neither of these methods tech children gratitude. Now a days children have just about no concept of money and how people go about getting it.
Now there are some people who say that children are ungrateful little mongrels, always whining and demanding. I simply don't believe this is the case, mainly because these behaviors are taught. If we want our children to have an attitude of gratitude, then we need to have one ourselves.
I know for me sometimes it is hard. Some people seem to have an easier time just being thankful where they are in life. I always want something better. I'm not super materialistic, it's not stuff for me( all the time) but it's places and doing things with the kids. I know I am plagued at times with thoughts of "if we had more money...." This is not good thoughts to have. You don't need more money, stuff or time. You need to be thankful for what you have. Yes we all need more money and time! But if we are thankful for what we have, the other stuff will come.
Express appreciation to people when they help you. This is more than just a simple thank you, sometimes it is actively acknowledging what it is that you are thankful for. Look at people and smile when you express your thankfulness.
Try this. For one month take each day to really be thankful for something. Be specific and genuine. Follow through on your gratitude. If you are thankful for someone, let them know. People do like to know that they are appreciated for the hard work the do. You children will see this, they are surprisingly observant.
Now I'm not saying be dramatically thankful, be genuine. Give it a real effort and see what happens.
Are you up for the Challenge?
.
Now there are some people who say that children are ungrateful little mongrels, always whining and demanding. I simply don't believe this is the case, mainly because these behaviors are taught. If we want our children to have an attitude of gratitude, then we need to have one ourselves.
I know for me sometimes it is hard. Some people seem to have an easier time just being thankful where they are in life. I always want something better. I'm not super materialistic, it's not stuff for me( all the time) but it's places and doing things with the kids. I know I am plagued at times with thoughts of "if we had more money...." This is not good thoughts to have. You don't need more money, stuff or time. You need to be thankful for what you have. Yes we all need more money and time! But if we are thankful for what we have, the other stuff will come.
Express appreciation to people when they help you. This is more than just a simple thank you, sometimes it is actively acknowledging what it is that you are thankful for. Look at people and smile when you express your thankfulness.
Try this. For one month take each day to really be thankful for something. Be specific and genuine. Follow through on your gratitude. If you are thankful for someone, let them know. People do like to know that they are appreciated for the hard work the do. You children will see this, they are surprisingly observant.
Now I'm not saying be dramatically thankful, be genuine. Give it a real effort and see what happens.
Are you up for the Challenge?
.
I couldn't agree more. That's why I used to do my Thankful Thursday posts. I haven't been very consistent lately, but am always still thankful. And about the wanting more, one of my favorite quotes is "Comparison is the thief of joy". I love that it speaks to being thankful with what you already have. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea Aily. My son and I will make this part of the goodnight process for November. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great reminder. Some friends and I just discussed this recently. Gratitude is a way to overcome fear and worry. When we're grateful, it's really hard to be afraid.
ReplyDeleteNo better teacher then us parents--GREAT POST!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLast November, my children and I made a Thanksgiving Tree. We painted it onto some poster board and cut out large colourful leaves. Every day, we thought of something we were thankful for, wrote it on a leaf and stuck it on the tree. By Thanksgiving Day, our tree was full. We've already started our tree this year. I'm hoping that simple things like this can help them to be thankful, grateful, happy and content individuals.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts here,
Kristina :)
Great post! I am working on this this month for my husband...I need to show my gratitude for all that he is and does for our family.
ReplyDeletevery well said... gratitude 'lists' are a part of my daily routine with my kids. I am somewhat materialistic, but I think over the years I've improved dramatically; I am okay with where I am... but, like you mentioned, which, really struck a cord with me; going places and doing things with my kids. I am going to pay close attention to that. I'm also going to work on gratitude for the people in my life. Loved this post... thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete