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February 2 - Strengthening Bonds through Connection

Writer's picture: Anna KlinmanAnna Klinman

gratitude

“Let us rise up and be thankful,

For if we didn’t learn a lot today,

At least we learned a little,

And if we didn’t learn a little,

At least we didn’t get sick,

And if we got sick,

At least we didn’t die;

So, let us all be thankful.”

Buddha

 


gratitude

“Like other forms of practice, gratefulness makes us more resilient and flexible, and also offers a way to frame and learn from everything that unfolds in our lives.” Kristi Nelson


gratitude

“I sustain myself with the love of family.” Maya Angelou


gratitude

“Grace and gratitude belong together. Grace evokes gratitude like the voice an echo. Gratitude follows grace like thunder lightning.” Karl Barth


Gratitude is not a mere act of repaying debts; it is a profound expression of our interconnectedness and the relationships that sustain us. In our pursuit of gratitude, we discover that the path from "me" always leads to "we." It takes us beyond ourselves, forging connections with others in a web of mutual reciprocity.


As individuals, we can practice gratitude as a personal ethic, laying the foundation for a fulfilling life. However, gratitude is inherently social, and its true beauty shines when it brings people together in festivity, play, and ecstasy. One of the most tangible and positive manifestations of gratitude is hugging, a simple yet profound act that bridges the gap between individuals, nurturing warmth and fostering relationships.


Studies have shown that touch plays a significant role in enhancing feelings of gratitude and strengthening communal relations. A friendly and noncompetitive touch promotes a sense of warmth and connection, magnifying the experience of gratitude in both the giver and the receiver. When a gift is combined with a touch, the feelings of gratitude intensify, creating a beautiful feedback loop where gratitude and touch reinforce each other, enhancing the bond between individuals in friendship and community.


While gratitude can be felt even without physical expressions of care, its effects are more potent when accompanied by gestures of connection. The benefits of gratitude are truly unlocked when we take the gratitude we feel and share it with those responsible for evoking such feelings within us. By expressing gratitude to others, we find ourselves reminded of the goodness in our relationships, and it binds us even closer to the recipient.


In our busy lives, we sometimes assume that our loved ones know how we feel about them. However, putting gratitude, appreciation, and love into concrete words holds a profound and lasting meaning. Expressing our gratitude in written form can deepen our connections and remind us of the importance of actively appreciating and acknowledging the positive impact others have on our lives.


Gratitude is a transformative force in relationships, allowing us to recognize and cherish the interconnectedness we share with others. Emmons tells us that gratitude binds people together in relationships of reciprocity. Gratitude is one of the building blocks of a civil and humane society. It is a bridge that leads us from individuality to community, where festivity, touch, and expressions of appreciation bring us closer together. By embracing gratitude and expressing it openly, we enhance the warmth and depth of our relationships, ultimately leading to a more compassionate, loving, and fulfilling life for all of us.


Activity: Take selfies with your loved ones and get the photos printed in 4 x 6 size. On the back, use it as a postcard to share your thanks and gratitude about what is happening in the photo and what it means to have them in your life. Mail them by snail mail and surprise them with a special keepsake.


book

Are you interested in learning more about human values? Join me as I explore fourteen human values and offer strategies for modeling and practicing these with children. With this link, you can get my first book for a greatly discounted price!

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