We are entering the holiday season filled with shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, decorating, and fun times. Getting everything done is stressful enough in normal times. While there is reason for optimism, winter 2021 is not the normal we remember. In addition to finding the right gifts and fulfilling family commitments, we are juggling COVID tests and getting booster appointments before gatherings. With so much going on, it is necessary to remember that there is much to be grateful for. Learning to see the good during hard times is a powerful coping strategy. Gratitude helps us realize and appreciate what we have, and not to focus on what we don’t have. It also reinforces values such as respect, responsibility, and generosity.

There are many ways to practice gratitude. You can create a gratitude journal where you write down a few things each day for which you are grateful. You can designate time at the dinner table where you ask each person to tell of something that they were grateful for that day. This is a great activity for the whole family, even young children. You can also express gratitude for others—give compliments, tell people thank you, or send a note to a friend letting them know you are thinking of them. All of these activities can lead to feelings of appreciation, compassion, generosity, and love, and decrease negative thoughts.

CEEK Wellness Challenge of the Month.

We challenge you to find a way to express gratitude each day this month. Start a gratitude journal, initiate a daily gratitude discussion at the dinner table, or send a nice text to a friend. Small grateful acts everyday can uplift us and make a difference for others. Practice gratitude and…CEEK a Better Way!

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has” Epictetus

Suggested Resources
Gratefulness.org
Thechangeblog.com