Active gratitude really does have a good effect. Whilst it doesn't make difficulties, sadness, grief go away and if you are in dire straits like many people in the world are, it is a good practice.
Some people worry about toxic positivity- this is where you force people to try and be happy by being overly and falsely positive (I think... from what I've read?) . This is something very different.
Actively stating your gratitude for YOUR situation without expecting anyone else to respond in kind, IS positive and inspiring.
My lovely friend Ally wrote a thanksgiving post about this, my great friend Ang frequently shares things she is thankful for and I have tried to write posts reminding myself of what is good.
I've been very anxious in recent times. Anxious about a lot of things. I'm not sleeping very well at all and I am permanently exhausted as I wake early and worry about a lot. But I have so much which I am grateful for which I give thanks for- home,family, job, health, skills, hobbies,food, stabillity. Beyond that, here are some things that gave me joy this week:
1. Had a genius idea of getting 2 girls involved with orchestra as 'Orchestral Managers'. This is a bonafide role within a pro orchestra. Both girls are super mature and helpful and wanted to be involved in orchestra (but one of them, maybe not allowed to play in for religious reasons). I asked them if they would consider this role and they were super excited! Their responsibilities involve: organising and setting out chairs, photocopying music (well, I will photocopy but they will come with me and take them back to where they need to be and organise), distributing music, acting as librarians, taking the register, chasing up non-attendees. They had their first day yesterday and they were BRILLIANT! They were discrete, helpful and efficient! Our conductor thought this was a genius move!
2. All of our school nativity costumes seem to have gone missing or been chucked out or ruined since our last nativity in 2019. This is gutting. All of our drapes and material were also chucked out in a big staffroom decoration and renovation. Luckily, I snaffled away and saved some pieces of material and was able to give these to KS1 to try and use for our production in a week and a half's time. I also had a pair of angel wings in my cupboard! Very glad to be able to help!
3. I'll get to see my friend Lara tonight as I am page-turning for her for her harpsichord part for Brandenburg 5!
4. Managed to cobble together a variety of dinners this week despite low energy and busyness.
5. Added a new task and challenge to an established unit of work in year 6 to address a particular target and was pleased with how quickly the children completed it and also the way I did it gave them more ownership over learning for themselves this year.
6. Managed to rehearse ALL the 36 readers for our KS2 Christmas performances yesterday.
7. Finished the book that has taken me 2 weeks to read! (I usually read much quicker than this!)
8. FOUND the missing 2 boxes of handbells which went AWOL last Christmas. The last time I'd seen them, one was in the library at school and one was in the year 6 classroom. After our 'performance', I was off sick for the rest of term and when I returned in January, they were nowhere to be found.I sent countless emails and searched for them. I was trying to put away some resources last week and I opened a cupboard which I haven't opened in over a year (as I wasn't in the room and had to just make do with things I had). I discovered that SOMEONE had put one box of bells on each shelf on top of all the books. Why on earth they were put in there, I have NO idea but at least I have them back!
9. I am still so grateful to be back in my own room at school. Life is SO much easier, despite it still being VERY busy!
10. I will get to see my family tomorrow at my niece's 14th birthday party. I am grateful my sister has these annual parties so we get to see each other.
11. It was Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary on Thursday. I am so grateful for the joy this programme gives me.
What are you grateful for?
xx