Gratitude - A noun, a verb, a mindset

Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday of the year. Colourful autumn leaves paint the landscape, delicious meals are shared, and family & friends come together without the stress of gifts that typically come with Christmas. Plus, you get a day off work, which I like to use for cuddles with my couch and multiple naps by the fireplace (#blessed).

But really, the best part is that Thanksgiving prompts me to pause and think about all that I have to be grateful for. Studies show thatgiving thanks makes you happier - not things, not more money, not more followers on your Instagram.

Every Monday morning, we hold a staff meeting in our Workshop. We start the meeting off with a quiet minute, we call “Attitude of Gratitude”. Yes, we literally set a timer for 1 minute to think about 3 things we are each grateful for. It might sound fluffy but it sets the tone for our week and is a big part of our culture at Rocky. It helps us to be better, kinder humans to each other and live out our core value ofPositivitude.

I even do this at home some days, especially when I find myself in a cantankerous mood (most likely because I’m hangry). My better half makes me recount the happiest moments of the day or recall three things to be grateful for that day and pretty immediately, Mr. Hyde turns back into Dr. Jekyll.

So whether at work or at home, let this season remind you to practice gratitude. Truly, it takes practice! Here’s some simple ways you can do just that:

1. HANDWRITE A THANK YOU CARD: The days of handwritten notes are not dead. I refuse to let that happen. When you can, a handwritten card is always better than a thank you email or text. Why? Because it takes more time, effort and thought. Plus, there’s the suspense of the recipient opening the envelope, like it’s a mini present.

2. BE PRESENT: In today’s tech-centered world, it can really mean a lot when you have 100% of someone’s attention. Turning off your cell phone, keeping it tucked away in your bag or, here’s a crazy thought, leaving your phone at home shows the other person that you’re there for just them. Don’t forget that cell phones didn’t always exist and we managed just fine.

3. REFLECT: Whether it’s a moment to think or 5 minutes of jotting it down in your journal, taking a moment to count your blessings rewires your brain to look for the good in your environment, especially if you’re doing it daily.

4. SAY IT: Don’t expect that people can read your mind. If you’re thankful for that big or small thing that someone did, verbalize your thank you. It tells them that you noticed. A little thank you goes a long way and sometimes that’s all it takes to make someone’s day.

5. GIVE A GIFT: This one may seem obvious, but when is the last time you gave a gift for someone when itwasn’t for their birthday, Christmas or another special occasion? I for one don’t do this a lot but am always touched with someone goes the length to get me a little gift as a ‘thank you’. It can be home baked cookies, a bottle of wine or a beautiful bar of soap. OurGratitude gift set also makes for a really special thank you.

Written by:

Mackenzie Crafty cardmaker| Flags nerd| Hopeless romantic