The Power of Gratitude
The Power of Gratitude: How Practicing Thankfulness Can Increase Joy This Thanksgiving
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, we’re often reminded to focus on gratitude. But did you know that gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion but a practice that can transform our lives and increase our capacity for joy? According to renowned researcher Brené Brown, joy and gratitude are deeply connected. Her research shows that people who actively practice gratitude lead more joyful, resilient lives. The simple act of regularly acknowledging what we’re thankful for can create profound changes in our emotional well-being, and this is a message we can share with our teens during this season of thanks.
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Family Gratitude Challenge
The Family Gratitude Challenge is a month-long activity designed to help families connect and practice gratitude together during the Thanksgiving season. With fun prompts and daily activities, it's a simple way to teach your kids the amazing power of gratitude and is free to join.
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We Start November 1st!
Brené Brown’s Insight: The Gratitude-Joy Connection
In her studies, Brené Brown found that “without exception, every person she interviewed who described living a joyful life or described themselves as joyful actively practiced gratitude.” Gratitude, according to Brown, is not an attitude but a practice, one that takes intention and mindfulness. When we slow down to reflect on what we are grateful for, we open the door to deeper connections, greater contentment, and a heightened ability to experience joy in our daily lives.
As parents, this is a powerful lesson we can pass on to our teens, especially during the Thanksgiving season, a time of year that already encourages reflection on thankfulness. By fostering gratitude in our teens, we help them build a foundation of emotional strength and well-being.
Gratitude Activities for Families to Try This Thanksgiving
Here are some fun, meaningful activities you can do with your teens to practice gratitude and create more joy in your family this Thanksgiving. I have tested each of these activities out with my own kids and teens and they were all a big hit! For a ready-to-go schedule that makes it easy to incorporate these gratitude activities all month long—plus access to more free resources—join the Family Gratitude Challenge today! The challenge is totally free to join and is a lot of fun!
Create a Gratitude Jar
Set out a jar and encourage each family member to write down something they are thankful for every day during the month of November. On Thanksgiving Day, gather together and read the notes aloud, reflecting on all the blessings that have been recognized. This simple practice can help teens see that gratitude is something we can express daily, not just during a holiday. Use these Thanksgiving Dinner Prompts if your kids need a little help coming up with meaningful things to write about.Gratitude Video & Family Discussion
Watch this video on gratitude together as a family, and explore how practicing gratitude can positively influence brain functioning. I like to show this video to my kids at the beginning of November to kick-start the season and get them thinking about how they can incorporate gratitude activities throughout the month. It’s a great way to get them thinking about how gratitude impacts their emotional and cognitive development.A Year of Gratitude Challenge
Set a meaningful family goal to cultivate gratitude throughout the year with this Gratitude Kit. This kit includes 52 stunning foil cards for gifting, along with a journal to capture the experience, all beautifully packaged in a high-quality gift box. It's perfect for sharing gratitude year-round or throughout the month of November. Our family likes to set a goal on November 1st to hand out all the cards before Thanksgiving Day. You can follow our experience all month long on Instagram @brittneykingcoaching. Make this a transformative experience that brings your family closer together, and discover the lasting impact of daily gratitude!Gratitude Journal
Encourage your teen to write in a gratitude journal in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. Then, have everyone share something from their journal at the table during Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s a fun journal you can use to help get started.Thanksgiving Table Gratitude Game
Make Thanksgiving dinner fun and reflective by turning it into a gratitude game. Before the meal begins, pass around a basket with slips of paper containing different prompts, For a list of “done-for-you” Thanksgiving Dinner prompts, click here. This activity can spark deeper conversations and remind everyone at the table of the power of gratitude.
The Lasting Impact of Gratitude
When teens actively practice gratitude, they not only experience more joy but also become more resilient in facing life’s challenges. As parents, fostering this practice can help create a positive emotional habit that will benefit them throughout their lives. Thanksgiving provides a beautiful opportunity to start or renew this practice, but the goal is to make it a daily part of life. By cultivating gratitude as a family, we create a deeper sense of connection, joy, and fulfillment that can last long after the holiday season is over. Join a community of caring, intentional parents as we come together all month long in the Family Gratitude Challenge to celebrate the joy of the season.
This Thanksgiving, take time to reflect on the role of gratitude in your family’s life and find ways to bring more thankfulness into your everyday moments. After all, as Brené Brown teaches us, it is through practicing gratitude that we open the door to true joy.