Learning Gratitude through Reflection
Today is a wonderful day to learn about gratitude, don’t you think? If you don’t know what gratitude means, it means: “the quality of being thankful.” What are you thankful for? Have you thought much about what you’re thankful for? Most people don’t think about what they’re thankful for very often. If they did, science says they would become happier. You want to be happy, right?
Why would you become happier if you started to increase your feelings of gratitude? An unknown person said it best, “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.” Or, in other words, being thankful for the things you already have.
Now that you’re convinced, let’s start working on your gratitude!
Today is a day for art! So, let’s pick up our favorite art utensil(s) (mine are colored pens), and a piece of paper. On your piece of paper, write down one thing from each topic:
- A person you’re thankful for.
- A thing or object you’re thankful for.
- An activity you’re thankful for.
After you have these three things written down somewhere, now comes the fun part. Draw or paint or color each of these three things! Put as much or as little detail into the picture as possible. As you’re creating, talk to a friend or a guardian about why you like each of the things you wrote down. Now is when you’re practicing gratitude. You are thinking of things in your life that you have, that you enjoy. Recognizing what makes you happy is a great way to feel good about your life. When you think of these people and activities you fill with joy, isn’t that great?
If you ever feel down about something, find this picture and look at it. You’ll get a reminder of those things that you’re thankful for. As you find more things you enjoy, add them to this picture! It can become a whole collage of happiness!
After you’re done coloring (send us a picture on the ICAN Facebook and Instagram) think about other things you’re thankful of. Maybe you’re thankful of a place, or a sound. Everything is worth being thankful for!
Please join back later to continue learning about mindfulness.