We tend to thank colleagues, teammates, or parents -- but we often neglect to be grateful to ourselves.

Gratitude Activities

• For one day, recognize the gifts of words and deeds you receive and take a moment to feel grateful; on another day add some expression of your gratitude. What are some differences?
• Take a walk and count the gifts nature gives you daily. Make a list, and share your observations with family or friends.
• What was the best advice someone ever gave you? Send the giver a postcard acknowledging the effects of that gift. Be specific.
• Make a list of your 10 most valued material possessions. For what would you trade them?
• Create a mind map of all the gifts in your life. A mind map is a shape divided into all the sub-components -- such as physical, emotional, cognitive, material, and spiritual gifts.
• Ask someone how they would most like to be acknowledged (Publically? Privately? With words, deeds, or objects? What kinds of words?), then acknowledge her/him in that way.
• In your journal, begin a section called “Thank Me,” and in that section, give yourself thanks each time you take care of yourself, honor yourself, or work to improve yourself.
• Create a web page with stories of gratitude. Send the URL to staff@6seconds.org and we will make a collection of the pages.

Books/Movies for Older People

• A Grateful Heart, MJ Ryan. 365 inspiring writings on gratefulness from Buddha to the Beatles, organized by season.
• Michael -- a jaded reporter is trying to get “the scoop of his life” and finds the miracle of his own heart.
• Erin Brokovich -- a single parent with three children uncovers a scandalous environmental poisoning that affects hundreds of families, and she builds ties of gratitude.

Books/Movies for Younger People

• Fireman Small, W. Yee. Grateful friends unexpectedly thank the town’s only fireman for his tireless dedication.
• Circle of Days, R. Lindbergh. St. Francis of Assisi’s words are brought to life; the natural world is given thanks.
• Stuart Little, E.B. White - a mouse’s adventures help him appreciate his human family.

Role Models

• The Sierra Club - founded by John Muir, pivotal in preserving the wilderness and building appreciation of the natural world.
• Sarah Ban Breathnach – author of Simple Abundance; inspired people around the world toward gratitude.
• Squanto -- initiated the peace treaty that allowed the first Thanksgiving celebration to occur.