Becoming a “Gratidude”
Posted on 05. Jul, 2010 by Erin in Erin
These past few days I’ve been trying a small experiment.
The subject of my experiment is gratitude. Every night before I go to sleep I write down a list of five different things that I am grateful for.
Last night, this is what I wrote:
I am grateful for…
1) My parents and my brothers
2) Summer Vacation
3) My family’s economic stability
4) The fresh, clean water that flows from my tap
5) Peanut Butter!
I started my “experiment” after a friend told me about a study that observed the benefits of being grateful. After telling me about this study, my friend showed me a video on how to become a “Gratidude” .
Now some of you may be a bit skeptical right at the moment. But if you are, like me, not yet feeling daring enough to do the gratitude dance in the summer heat, start with baby steps and try writing your own “Gratidude” list each day. Once I started writing, I didn’t want to stop! My mind just kept on thinking of all the things in my life I have to grateful for: friends, a healthy family, a peaceful country, a good education, watermelon. Just thinking about it I started to feel all warm and fuzzy and uplifted. It’s remarkable how many little things in life we take for granted each day. Like the ability to walk without pain. Or the ability to see.
This summer I’m going to continue my experiment everyday. I’m excited to see what happens!
Joel
Jul 7th, 2010
I’m grateful for student blogs.
Elyse
Jul 13th, 2010
I always like to think I’m a grateful person but starting a list is genious!
I am grateful for:
1) My brothers’ health
2) A bilingual education
3) My dogs
4) The blessing of being able to travel
5) A family who is accomidating to my vegetarian diet/willing to try tofu!
Abid
Jul 14th, 2010
Great experiment, I think
Britt
Jul 22nd, 2010
Aw, such a great experiment!
This was ages ago, but I remember watching the initial 24 youth form a circle at the end of the very first Reach Lesotho orientation meeting at the University. The mentors asked for everyone to tell the group what they were most thankful for. One person, can’t remember who, said that they are thankful that people can change. I thought that was so great… it has stuck with me, and soemthing I didn’t often consider until then, but have since.