If ever there was a time to be grateful for the “little things” it is this year - 2021. For most of us last year’s Thanksgiving was celebrated in non-traditional ways. Thankfully many time-honored Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions will be enjoyed once again this year. A BIG gratitude!
But what about the other days of the year? How might we practice gratitude every day for the events, people, and circumstances experienced in the ordinary days, weeks, and months?
Some ideas can be found in these definitions:
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Gratitude describes the state of being grateful by consistently noticing the positive, good aspects of life and being thankful for the things we have.
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Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends and family, transportation, technology, seeing people in person, etc.
Noticing. Awareness. Mindfulness. One practice I hope we can all indulge in, both as we reflect on 2021 and enter this holiday season, is being aware of and pausing to enjoy the little things. Those events, people, and circumstances which fill our ordinary days.
There is a certain wisdom I have gained simply by living multiple decades, plus the added joy of being a grandmother. This combination has taught me it is the simple, often fleeting moments, where our greatest blessings can be experienced!
In a CBSG® Program group the focus is on connecting with the children and youth, giving them the experience of belonging, being acknowledged, and valued. Reflect upon those you have made a difference for this year. What are some of the moments you treasure in your heart?
We are born with the need to connect—with one another, with nature, with our Higher Power. I encourage you to take time between now and the end of the year and reflect on the moments of connection you have experienced. Fleeting as these moments may be, they leave an imprint on our hearts and souls.
Here are some of my 2021 gratitude moments to help you begin your list!
- My dog being wildly excited to see me after just an hour’s separation.
- Seeing how happy my niece is on Instagram as a Sophomore at Texas A&M.
- Listening to my grandson learn to play the viola.
- Watching my daughter perform in a musical (her happy place).
- Receiving a text reminding me I was being prayed for.
- Soaking in the magnificent Fall colors and pressing fallen leaves to have as a reminder.
- Having the courage to step out on a high-level ropes course to join my grandson.
- My husband going to the grocery store.
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Launching an updated CBSG Facilitator Training with an incredible team and participants.
- Catching a trout on my first fly fishing adventure.
- Making s'mores over a campfire with my grandson.
- Taking a few minutes to compile this list. (it is longer but for brevity I shortened it!).
With heartfelt gratitude for all you do, the Rainbow Days Training Team wishes you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Cathey Brown, Developer
November 2021
