Gratitude overflows from my life when things are going my way but not so much when I find myself in the midst of hard times. Join me in our ABC's of gratitude challenge to discover gratitude in hard times. Robert Emmons is the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude and he says in this article, Not only will a grateful attitude help—it is essential. In fact, it is precisely under crisis conditions when we have the most to gain by a grateful perspective on life. In the face of … [Read more...]
Planting the Seeds of Gratitude When They’re Young Matters & Simple Gratitude Activities
Below I share 5 simple gratitude activities your young kids will love. It's never too early to start! As my kids get older I see how planting the seeds of gratitude when they were young really does matter. Now that my kids are older I realize how important it was for us to cultivate the seeds of gratitude in them when they were little. I weaved thanksgiving into our day, on our walks at the park, at dinner, in our bedtime prayers and in song. I have three boys and one child in particular … [Read more...]
Our Absolute Favorite Family Games and Activities to Encourage Gratefulness
Our absolute favorite family games and activities to encourage gratefulness for children from 4 years to teens. If a mom with little ones would ask me, "What are 3 things I should focus on teaching my kids while they are little?" I would say, these are the five seeds we've planted and are continuously watering in our children--faith, integrity, gratitude, love and service. I know she asked for 3 but these are the 5 we've intentionally been tilling the soil for the past 12 years in our little … [Read more...]
The ABC’s of Gratitude for Adults
My mind can get overwhelmed with the busyness of life and I forget to look for the beauty around me. I don't what kind to get lost in that busyness. So let's pause and refocus on what is beautiful, lovely, good and all the many blessings within us, around us and in Him. The thing about gratitude is it may not necessarily change our circumstances but it does something even more profound. It does an inner work in our souls and slowly changes our perspective. It molds our heart and minds … [Read more...]
Gratitude Prompts Family Activity
These prompts stop us in our tracks and remind us to be thankful in the midst of the chaos. This Gratitude Prompts Family Activity will make it easy to remember to be thankful! Honestly, some evenings, I'm not thinking about how to instill gratitude in my children, much less feeling thankful myself. By dinner time I'm in task mode. Get them fed, get homework done, and get them in bed are my goals. My task-oriented self forgets about what my soul longs to do--instill gratitude in my children and … [Read more...]