What are you thankful for? It’s the question that always comes up at Thanksgiving dinner. It puts kids and adults alike on the spot to come up with the perfect answer. I can remember stuffing a spoonful of vegetables into my mouth when my turn came just to buy some time.
This year, rather than trying to think of that one reason we’re thankful, we should strive to think of all the reasons we’re thankful, no matter how big or small, and keep them in mind for more than just one day.
National Geographic Kids sent us a copy of this awesome book called “100 Ways To Be Thankful“. In its pages, we found prompts, tools, and ideas for putting ourselves in a mindset to realize all those things we have to be thankful for. There are also some great ideas for showing that gratitude, as well.
What Being Thankful Means
Being thankful means paying attention and acknowledging the things going right in our lives instead of dwelling on what’s going wrong.”
Lisa M. Gerry, “100 Ways To Be Thankful”
It’s a simple idea. The more we focus on the bad things happening in our lives, the more we tend to notice other bad things, and it begins to seem like nothing good ever happens.
Being thankful is turning that upside-down. By focusing on all the good things, we will train ourselves to notice them more, and the good will multiply instead of the bad.
As a result, we’ll find ourselves being kinder and more generous. And just think of how great the world will be when we all get into that mindset!
10 Ways (out of 100) to be Thankful
Here is a small sample of ways to be thankful from the book that jumped out at us.
Gratitude Jar Pumpkin
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.
Aesop
Writing down the things you are thankful for is a great way to remind yourself of all the good things in your life. Instead of a jar, we are using pumpkins. And each day, we’re jotting something on the pumpkin that we’re thankful for.
Be In Awe
Don’t forget to sit still every once in a while and wonder at it all.”
Lisa M. Gerry, “100 Ways To Be Thankful”
We often feel like there isn’t enough time in the day for all the things we need to get done. We hardly ever make time to just take it all in and appreciate the world around us.
Just reading this suggestion brought to mind our impromptu hike and that feeling of awe we had when we reached the top and saw the view.
Jump At The Chance To Travel
Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
Gustave Flaubert
While we do not travel nearly as much or as far as we’d like, we still try to do so as often as we can. Nothing makes you appreciate home like visiting different places. And the more places you visit, the more you realize just how big the world is.
Celebrate Everything!
The more you celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
Oprah Winfrey
Life is short, so celebrate it! Every occasion can be a reason to throw a party. Turn something as simple as watching a movie into an experience! Decorate for every holiday, no matter how small.
Be A Bookworm
There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”
Walt Disney
Reading is a favorite pastime in our house. It’s one of the best ways to learn, even when it’s fiction! In many ways, it’s like traveling… without going anywhere!
Learn Your Family’s History
We all carry inside us, people who came before us.”
Liam Callanan
Each of us is continuing the story of our family. Learning our family’s history is more than just jotting down names in a tree. It is learning about their lives. Take time to listen to your family members while you can.
Embrace Boredom
We all need empty hours in our lives or we will have no time to create or dream “
Robert Coles
It’s okay to be bored. In fact, with all the days we have when we are crazy busy, a little boredom is a welcome rest. So enjoy the boredom when it comes along. You never know what ideas you might come up with once you stop being so busy.
Play
It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Find time to play. Being playful has so many benefits for adults and kids. We came up with 10 ways to put more play in your day.
Practice Mindfulness
The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Practicing mindfulness is such a simple concept, yet it takes effort because we are so used to dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Most times, it’s the past or the future that gets in our way of being grateful for the present.
Say “Hello” and “Goodbye”
To return to my own trees, I went among them often, acknowledging their presence with a touch of my hand against their trunks.”
Ruskin Bond
How many times have you walked into a room only to feel ignored because no one looked up or bothered to say hello? Probably as many times as you’ve failed to say hello or goodbye when someone else left a room.
It’s a small thing. But it means so much to know that you are noticed. Saying hello and goodbye tell people that we know that they are there, and when they are not.
“100 Ways to Be Thankful”
“100 Ways To Be Thankful” is written by Lisa M. Gerry and published by National Geographic Kids. It retails for $9.99. You can find it on amazon, or other booksellers.
And this week, we’re giving away a copy to one lucky reader! Enter below. The winner will be chosen on Tuesday, November 19th!
“100 Ways To Be Thankful” National Geographic Kids Book