Learning Gratitude

Gratitude is a concept that I have tried to remember in my own life, and to instill in my children. I've always believed that learning to truly be grateful for all the positives in our lives can ground us in a happy place. Not trying to be utterly Pollyanna about things, but being thankful for the good while acknowledging that things can always be worse is beneficial. And frankly, no one really wants to listen to anyone who complains ALL the time!

In our home, the habit is to try to maintain perspective , even if our gratitude statements are sometimes loaded with sarcasm. There is a difference if I jest that "I am grateful to be awakened at 3am with menopausal night sweats because that gives me extra hours in my day to get things done" than if I just go on a long description of complaint. The reality is that even in my over-tired state, I know that I am blessed to have slept for five hours in a comfortable bed in an air-conditioned house. I don't take that for granted, and that attitude of gratitude goes far for me.

A recent article in Body & Soul Magazine confirms this belief . "Thank You Therapy," by Terri Trespicio is an excellent read, and cites many studies done that give proof positive about gratitude. It is a great read. It points to the fact that gratitude does much more for us when it really becomes our thought base. Someone who is truly grateful and aware is less likely to become consumed with negative emotions like greed and jealousy.

I recently have been trying to put my gratitude into action in my business as well, in a sort of pay it forward way. When we hit the goal of 30 families in the co-op, I looked around at a few large families who are struggling to pay multiple college tuitions while still homeschooling other children at home. I knew that money was the only thing holding them back from participating fully.

My heart was for these kids, who I know and love. They belonged with their friends, and money is always secondary to what is right. I decided to act from the gratitude that I felt from all the support we had gotten thus far from other families and discussed the idea of offering full and partial scholarships with my assistant director, and then the board.

Our offers were received with such gratitude and almost disbelief. Each family jumped at the offer, and have their whole crew joining us all day long. The kids have been gushing with joy and excitement about the new year. Moms have stepped in to fill important volunteer roles in planning bigger events. And the best part? The warmth and joy we have received back in making this possible for them.

Not surprising then, is the fact that after we did this, we started receiving more and more enrollments from new families. Our numbers are at 40, with 2-3 new calls daily. At this rate, we might hit 45 families, and over 100 kids! All in four months time!!!

Girlie said it best, "Karma , baby, Karma!"