There are no more words that can be spoken about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We refer you to all of the stories of help and support and comfort.
Instead, we would like to suggest a new exercise that we all should begin. It’s purpose is not to increase your heart rate – although that may happen. It’s purpose is not to decrease your weight – although that may happen. It’s purpose is to exercise our grateful muscle.
Being grateful is something that we tend to ignore. We just take for granted that we have a family who loves us. We know that our children or our parents or our grandparents love us. We know they are there and that they will be there if we need them. We just know.
The Grateful Exercise requires that you stop each morning – even before you place your feet on the floor – and write down three things that make your grateful. They can be huge or small, essential or trivial. What they are doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you take those precious moments before you start your day to acknowledge what you have. Every morning. And get your children involved. Ask them at breakfast or in the car on the way to school, or whenever is best for you and them.
Gratefulness is a state of mind. It’s a place we need to be right now.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
