Hello readers,
There’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot and wanted to share it with you. About six months ago I wrote a short story about a kind of “social experiment” I did with my high school students. I had them keep a gratitude journal and had them make an entry in the journal for the first five minutes of every class. At first, they were resistant to the idea, saying they couldn’t think of one thing for which they were grateful. But after a few weeks, they began to seem to enjoy taking the time to write down the little things for which they were grateful.
Something happened to the tenor and ambience of the classroom: there was more of a sense of peace and happiness. This was something I had not expected. Further, during the Thanksgiving break they asked if they could take their journals home and make a daily entry over the holidays. To my great surprise and happiness, nearly every student did just that.
The idea began with my minister, who, in one of his sermons, said that the more we are grateful, the more good things come our way. And I could see that happening with the students. For example, one girl found out over the holiday break that her boyfriend was seeing another girl. Instead of being angry and resentful, she wrote, “I’m so glad that I found out now instead of after we got married.”
How about it? Begin a gratitude journal and see what transformation takes place within YOU. Then let me know. I’d love to hear your story.
Standing by.
