Full of Thanks
Gratitude, however tricky a subject to teach children, is no doubt one of the most rewarding attributes to have when the lesson is learned. Most children start off with the ‘me-world’, where everything that they experience (and own) belongs to them and them alone. As a result, they gradually get habituated in their sense of self-centredness and would sometimes find it difficult to share their toys with others or would become jealous when their parents display attention to other children. Hence, parents, caretakers and educators are constantly on the look-out for children who are overly possessive or demanding.
Gratitude, when instilled at an early age, benefits the children later in life. The correlation between happiness and gratitude is commendably a strong one. It has been widely noted that grateful people display higher levels of happiness and optimism, and as such are less stressed or depressed. Additionally, those who spend more time expressing their gratitude whether through acts or words, tend to be substantially happier than people who don’t. By learning gratitude, they naturally develop empathy, become more aware of the feelings of others, and most of all, discover the joy of sharing.
Granted that it may not be easy to instil gratitude to children in this world of material temptation – the latest action hero toys, the fast paced electronic gadget, the latest fashion, etc. are tantalising the young minds at all times, suggesting that they’ll be left behind if they do not own any of these. Yet, with proper guidance towards the awareness and expression of gratitude, everyone can feel the love and gratitude ingrained in them!
Take time to try out these gratifying practices…
Write Thank You notes
We can easily utter a quick ‘Thank You’ when we receive a favour. In time, the utterance becomes an automatic process as a form of social response with little awareness. Wouldn’t it be more meaningful if we can take a little time off to compose a Thank You note for the people whom we are grateful for? Surely, there are many people whom we are thankful for – parents, family members, friends, teachers, team mates, etc. We don’t need to wait for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day to express our gratitude to our parents. Slip a surprise Thank You card under their pillow for them to find. It will surely leave them grinning from ear to ear!
List at least 3 good things that we are grateful about for the day
This is a simple practice for all of us to draw ourselves out of self-centeredness. At the end of each day, before going to bed, list at least 3 things that we are grateful for, whether it’s a person, an event, or a deed bestowed upon us. This practice keeps us happy and joyful and good sleep is assured!
Sending our love and appreciation to the big things AND the little things
Be sincerely thankful for everything that we have. Spend some quiet time to do this visualisation – sit in a comfortable position and visualise yourself sitting among the things that you are grateful for and send your love to them one by one (remember to include even the finer and smaller things, say, a packet of tissue or a piece of stationery!) Visualise that all these things are enveloped with joy and love, including yourself!
Pose it!
Mentally expressed our gratitude when we attempt Yoga poses – thank the trees when we are in the Palm Tree Pose, thank nature when we are in the Mountain Pose, thank the inventor and manufacturers of wheels when we are in the Wheel Pose, thank the architects and builders who constructed the bridges when we are in the Bridge Pose, and etc. You will find that your yoga practices will be much more joyful and meaningful!
This article was featured in YogaMail Jul-Sept 2013 issue.
