A grateful heart is a beautiful thing—something we want for our children. So, how do we begin to grow gratitude inside of them?
Thankfulness often starts when they see it in us.
They watch and take note of how we respond at restaurants or grocery stores; however, being thankful to strangers or public servants is often the easy part. Home is sometimes the last place we live out gratitude.
Here are five tangible ways you can being cultivating an environment of gratitude in your home, today:
Serve it. Look for ways your family can serve. What are some chores your children can do to be of service to the family? Then, look outside the immediate family. How can your family be of service to others?
Say it. One of the best ways to show gratitude is with words. Saying thank you at restaurants, to teachers, clergy, neighbors, and friends is crucial, but sadly, it’s often neglected. Kids take cues from parents. Let them hear you being thankful for the people in your life.
Sacrifice it. In our society, we don’t hear much about sacrifice. It’s not popular to give something up. But it’s still a valuable lesson to teach our children. I think true gratitude is born in sacrifice.
Show it. Sometimes the best way to show gratitude is through tangible means: a gift from the heart, an encouraging email or a plate of cookies can really make someone’s day.
Search for it. Life isn’t always easy and, during difficult times, it’s tempting to focus on the negative. It’s during these moments, we have to look for the silver lining in life’s trials. Perspective often changes our attitude.
Gratitude is a way of life. Thankfulness is stopping long enough to say it or show it and making sure your pause long enough in your busy day to receive it. Being thankful is an act of beauty.
Article courtesy of HomeLife Magazine