The Pleasure Of Gratitude

By Margaret Shrum

November: a month of Thanksgiving and a reminder to be grateful for our loved ones and all the bounty that surrounds us all. Sometimes we are so used to the most obvious comforts that we forget what life would be like without them. I invite you to take a moment to make a list of some of the most basic, everyday things that you are grateful for.

Here is my list:

I am grateful for clean, running water, electricity, wifi, my laptop and smart phone.

I am grateful for fresh organic farmers and the weekly market, my gas stove and my daughter’s choice to be a vegan who makes our family eat healthier.

I am grateful for my health, my vision, my senses and the ability to experience all feelings.

I am grateful for my family and friends and for the freedom we have to live comfortably.

I am grateful for the beauty of mother earth, the oceans, the mountains, the deserts, the sunsets, moon, stars, waterfalls, flowers, animals and the change of seasons.

I am grateful for Ellen Lewis and Lingerie Briefs, for the luxurious lingerie we wear and the talented designers we get to meet and share their work with the world.

Thank you, Margaret: This is very kind of you to say

Now it’s your turn, what are you grateful for? Can you imagine if you woke up and began your day with 5 gratitude’s? One of my dear friends does that and she is so passionate about being grateful that she started a non-profit organization, The Gratitude House, which inspires us to take gratitude to the next level.

“Someday there will be Gratitude Houses throughout the world. They will be places where children can go, be surrounded by love, learn and share the notion of gratitude through the arts.”–Tara Dixon, mother and visual artist

WHAT IS THE GRATITUDE HOUSE?

The Gratitude House is, for now, a mobile concept. Tara Dixon, founder, brings The Gratitude House to you by visiting with groups of children through schools or organizations.

Curriculum includes:

Introduction to the topic of gratitude.
Group brainstorming defining “What is gratitude?”
Hands on activities include:
Gratitude Circle- Using a ball of yarn each child has the opportunity to share a gratitude.
Gratitude Journals- Using collage materials (including textiles, buttons, yarn, paints, paper, stamps, etc.) journals are made.
Painting, Drawing, Collage, Sculpting and Photography- Children are inspired to make art giving homage to what they are grateful for.
Projects include: self and family portraits, landscapes, pieces inspired by nature, still life’s of treasured objects.
The theme of gratitude is also explored through Poetry, Creative Writing, Music & Sound, Movement & Dance and Theater & Film