LIFE LESSONS | SET 4:3
DAY 3
GRATITUDE IN ACTION
Today, let's intertwine kindness and gratitude. Expressing gratitude is a profound act of kindness that connects hearts.
• GRAB YOUR JOURNAL AND ANSWER THIS ONE •
What's one thing you're genuinely grateful for today?
Express gratitude to someone in your life—let them know why you appreciate them.
GRATITUDE IN ACTION : THE BRIDGE TO KINDNESS
Gratitude and kindness are like two sides of the same coin. When we're truly grateful, we're naturally inclined to be kind. And when we're kind, we often inspire gratitude in others. This beautiful cycle creates a bridge that connects hearts and fosters a more positive, compassionate world.
Let's explore this connection through one of Paw’s stories. Despite fathering a math phenom, Keith struggled in math. This was compounded by several years of teachers who let him slide by. Then in high school, there was Miss Thieme who became one of his favorite teachers ever. She worked with Keith to help him understand difficult concepts and it changed so many things in his life. It was a virtuous cycle. Her kindness inspired Keith’s gratitude. And his heartfelt appreciation fueled her kindness and motivated her to do what no one else had. Miss Thieme was reminded why she loved teaching, and I bet it motivated her to offer additional help to other struggling students.
Then one day many years later, Keith got an ovation of praise from numerous college professors and professional mathematicians across the U.S. for his tremendous representations of how manifolds and other objects behaved in multi-dimensional space. These were drawings Maggie used when she gave presentations at math conferences across the country on her research in geometric topology. I couldn’t grasp it and I’m sure Miss Thieme couldn’t either. But what mathematicians described in numbers and words, Keith was able to demonstrate in his drawings. Miss Thieme’s kindness gave him the curiousity and confidence to work with Maggie to make beautiful math art.
This story illustrates how gratitude can fuel kindness, which in turn inspires more gratitude. But how can we put this into practice in our daily lives? Here are a few ideas:
Keep a gratitude journal: Each day, write down three things you're grateful for. This practice helps train your mind to notice the good in your life. Noticing the good in your life is one of the absolutely foundational habits for happiness and well-being.
Express your appreciation: Don't just feel grateful – show it! Tell people how much you appreciate them and their actions.
Pay it forward: When someone does something kind for you, look for opportunities to do something kind for someone else.
Practice mindfulness: Take time each day to pause and notice the good things around you, no matter how small.
Volunteer: Giving your time to help others can increase your awareness of the blessings in your own life.
Remember, gratitude isn't just about saying "thank you" – it's a mindset that recognizes and appreciates the good in our lives. When we cultivate this mindset, we're more likely to treat others with kindness and compassion.
As you go through your day, try to approach each interaction with a grateful heart. Notice how it changes your perspective and influences your actions. You might find that gratitude is indeed the bridge that leads to a kinder, more connected world. We love you! - Granny & Paw
Start a "Gratitude Jar" where you jot down things you're thankful for. On not so happy days, empty your jar and read through them.