Gratitude: Week One

In April 2016 my partner Rob and I took our first trip to Europe. Our first major stop was Budapest. A city that seems to always have picked the wrong side to support, in every conflict. We stayed at this hotel, which had been shelled non-stop for 8 hours when the Russians put down an uprising. In later years it was restored to its current magnificence. Travel enables feelings of gratitude for the life we live in Australia.

Reading Chapters 1 and 2 of Gratitude in Education: a radical view this week has reminded me of the power of gratitude, positivity and kindness. I acknowledge the concept of the "gift paradigm” – that the giver satisfies the needs of the receiver, which establishes bonds of mutuality and trust (Howells 8). I suspect that it is this concept that creates the culture of volunteerism in Australia, and Tasmania particularly; that seeing someone give time and effort for non fiscal gain, encourages others to do the same, to mimic the initial giver because they have earned our respect and trust. And then to discover that this creates:
"Increased gratitude (which) leads to:
– a greater sense of wellbeing
– increased optimism
– a tendency to exercise more often
– a decrease in depression
– a greater sense of connectedness
– a greater ability to deal with adversity
– improved relationships
– greater joy and satisfaction." (Howells 19)

In my teaching practice I like to collect clips, to share with students, that empower positive thoughts and actions, especially of people they know (and possibly admire), that have recovered from adversity or disappointment and established a wonderful life…and are grateful. Identities such as Tim Minchin and J.K. Rowling. I will share links to these in future blogs. Many of these I first encounter through facebook.

REFERENCES
Howells, Kerry. Gratitude in Education. Rotterdam: SensePublishers, 2012. Print.