Gratitude and happiness have a lot to do with each other. Inside you’ll read how a worldview can be shaped around gratitude to benefit you and your littles alike!
We often talk about worldview these days, and since this month is Thanksgiving, it’s a great time to talk about being grateful and thankful can inform our entire worldview, and that of our kids.
Gratitude is not only improved because of a healthy worldview, but gratitude is a healthy worldview.
Pull out these fun connecting questions to share some laughs with your precious ones!
Use them at:
- meal times
- car rides
- as a “calm down” trick
- for dinner time conversation
- or any time the day is getting chaotic or
- you need a reset to connect.
What's in this post...
First of all, gratitude greatly benefits us all!
Researchers believe that when a person practices being grateful, they are able to feel more happiness. Also… they have a higher well-being and are able to have a more positive outlook on life.
Aren’t these things that we strive for and want out kids to have?
For me, they certainly are! So, I try to improve our gratitude every day. One thing I do with my kids is write in our I Give Thanks Gratitude Notepad.
It helps us talk about things that matters and brings us closer together, too!
Want to help develop your child’s strengths Use these cards to dive into the character qualities and how your child does – and can in the future = exhibit them in their own life.
Learn MoreA healthy worldview will improve gratitude.
So, what is a healthy worldview?
Worldview can simply be defined as a philosophy of life. So let’s break this down:
Philosophy: What we have knowledge of, what we perceive our reality to be, and how we use that in our life.
Life (Our Life): The thoughts, emotions, and physical actions of our existence that are affected by environment, genetic makeup, and general outlook.
Let me tell you…
Last year I volunteered to be a “dugout mom” for my son’s t-balll team. I wanted to help the coach get the kids ready to field/bat when needed (and keep an eye on my 5 year old at the same time.) I cheered them on and encouraged them no-matter how they performed.
One particular girl was struggling a bit, but she seemed to be enjoying herself anyways.
Anyways, about half way through the season another parent stepped in to help me in the dugout. Turns out it was this little girl’s mom…
I don’t want to sound “judgy” or anything like that. I am just going to tell you how I felt.
Immediately the atmosphere in the dugout changed. This particular parent had the most negative attitude I have ever encountered.
Everything she said was a complaint. Every single time she spoke it was to cut someone down or spill out an insult.
And you know what?
The sad thing is I honestly don’t even believe that she knew she was doing that…
I remember one beautiful evening that we were just chatting while the kids were on the field. I looked up at the sky and said “wow, those clouds are beautiful!”
Without skipping a beat she replied “God, it’s hot and I hate it just before it starts to rain.”
It hit me. Her negativity had sucked every ounce of gratitude from her. She was miserable…
Her worldview was one of a dark, dangerous place. A world ready to trip you up and aggravate you at any minute. She couldn’t see even the slightest blessing ot beautiful thing in it.
And the sad thing… I saw it bleeding right over into her daughter.
Gratitude is a learned skill. Help avoid selfishness and entitlement by nurturing gratitude.
Learn MoreThis encounter got me thinking. Is my worldview (philosophy of live) one of Gratitude?
Are my children seeing gratitude played out in my life?
I truly believe that there is power beyond our comprehension in living a grateful life. Attitudes, overall wellness, and even generational curses can be broken with gratitude.
I don’t know about you, but I want my worldview to be one of gratitude!
Tips for teaching a worldview that produces gratitude:
- Allow your children opportunities to fail– It sounds backwards, but learning from mistakes is a skill that strengthens gratitude.
- Incorporate gratitude into your way of life– Show gratitude everywhere you go. From leaving a good tip, to writing thank you letters… gratitude will be contagious.
- Learn about places around the world– Educate your children about conditions in other countries or even where you live. They will be interested to see how other kids their age live. Oh, so many interesting discussions and lessons will come up!
Finally, gratitude is a healthy worldview.
Gratitude is not only improved because of a healthy worldview, gratitude is a healthy worldview.
We can benefit greatly from understanding the world around us, learning from our failures, and practicing gratitude.
So much so… that gratitude becomes our worldview. And, how amazing is it to be able to look positively on the things around us.
Start brainstorming rules to make your family life more peaceful, connected, and strong!
Current affairs, changes in politics, struggles with faith or family… all when seen though the lens of gratitude look different.
I believe that raising children with gratitude is the best chance we have of creating a peaceful and productive world.
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