Behind the Lessons: Gratitude!
When I was a kid, I remember getting the J.C. Penney catalog and scouring over the pictures, circling all the things I wanted for my birthday and Christmas. One year in particular, I wanted Peaches and Cream Barbie SO BAD. I grew up in a middle-class home, but life was so different than what our kids experience today. I didn’t have everything I wanted, nor did I get everything I wanted. That Christmas, I did get Peaches and I loved, loved, loved her. In fact, 35 years later, my youngest still plays with the peach dress she came in and it brings backs a rush of nostalgia. I often wonder if my kids will have a memory like that. So much has changed – increased access (hello, Amazon) and a ‘keeping up with the X’ mentality.
In the age of ‘stuff’, the desire for more often clouds our perception of what will make us happy. Getting stuck in a comparison trap and/or keeping up makes us focus on what we DON’T have, rather than what we DO have.
Faith, our mascot and lead character in the 2021 curriculum, helps participants reflect on this joy zapper and refocus their energy on being grateful for the blessings in their lives.
Expressing gratitude is important and has proven health benefits. Studies show that adolescent girls who make gratitude a part of daily life experience a boost in psychological health, increased empathy, and improved self-esteem. Like any skill, practicing gratitude is learned. It takes regular practice and a committed approach for gratitude to become a habit. BIO Girls provides participants with the opportunity to practice gratitude by acknowledging their blessings and challenges them to make a gratitude practice part of their regular routine.
A simple, ‘I’m grateful for…’ statement before you get out of bed in the morning and before you close your eyes at night brings benefits aplenty. How easy, yet powerful!
What are you grateful for today?
