The importance of gratitude
Par Family Councils Ontario
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” Zig Ziglar1
All Family Councils are working towards something. All Council members are looking to achieve success and reach their goals. We understand the importance of creating smart goals, utilizing the skills and passions of every Council member, creating processes that support our goals, and how to evaluate our progress as we strive to reach our goals. What can be overlooked in our efforts to achieve success is the importance of gratitude: “a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives … As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals – whether to other people, nature, or a higher power.”2 Gratitude helps us connect to others, and through connection achieve success.
The benefits of gratitude are numerous and include both physical and mental benefits to those who practice it regularly.2 Practicing gratitude in your Family Council work can benefit you not only as an individual member and caregiver, but can also improve the relationships amongst Council members, and between the Council and others in the home (e.g. home staff, residents, volunteers). Specifically, research has shown that gratitude creates larger and stronger social networks which help individuals succeed and increase coping abilities.2 Other research suggests that “people with an “attitude of gratitude” experience lower levels of stress”.2 Given that caregiving is stressful and that Councils require strong networks within their group and between the Council and others in the home, it is easy to see how cultivating an attitude of gratitude as individuals and as a group will help achieve success.
So, how do we express gratitude?
- Regularly reflect on what you are grateful for. Every night, or throughout the day, think about all the good things that have happened to you and for which you are grateful.
- Apply this to your Family Council: At the beginning or end of each meeting, have each member say a recent thing for which they are grateful. Make expressing gratitude a regular part of your meetings.
- Express gratitude to people who have helped and supported you. Write them a letter or email, or tell them in person.
- Apply this to your Family Council: When someone- a staff member, volunteer, community member, resident etc…- helps your Council, write them a thank you letter from the Council expressing your gratitude for their support.
- Share widely what you are grateful for. Make expressing gratitude a regular part of life. Let others know for what you are grateful.
- Apply this to your Family Council: When sharing news or updates, share your gratitude towards people who have supported your progress and success. You can do this on your bulletin board, in a newsletter, or your meeting minutes.
In conclusion, cultivating and maintaining an attitude of gratitude not only helps us as individuals but also supports Council success. When we act with and express gratitude, we will have even more for which to be grateful. Make gratitude one of your values and express it regularly to achieve even greater success!
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Sources:
- https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/zig_ziglar_617744?src=t_gratitude
- https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-appreciation/
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