Advocacy

Changing our attitude through gratitude

Hugh van Cuylenburg - Founder of The Resilience Project

Life has always had a way of throwing out-of-the-blue curve balls. Globally, the year 2020 is one that will not be easily forgotten by us or by history (and, we’re not even half way through the year yet!).

For many, life as we knew was suddenly up-ended. We’ve had to adjust to circumstances that may feel like they have come straight out of a sci-fi movie.

We could be juggling working from home with home-schooling, struggling with feelings of loss of a job or imagined future, managing isolation, or learning the challenging and devastating reality of Australia’s Aboriginal history as part of Bla(c)k Lives Matter. 

The insecurity caused by the continued shifting landscape, for many of us is generating new feelings of anxiety or fear, or amplifying existing ones. 

Thank goodness for Gratitude; as a simple, proven activity to help manage emotions and shift our attitude.  

“Times are challenging but in 2020 there is still so much we can do and places we can go. We can watch incredible things on Netflix, see concerts on-line and listen to great music, for example. By feeling gratitude for what we can still do and who we can still connect with, we can start to feel more positive emotions.

Research has shown practising gratitude increases our positive emotions and we need to experience positive emotions to develop resilience. And there has never been a more important time to develop resilience than now.”

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/

Here are some ways you can practice gratitude with children

• What were three things that made you feel happy today?
• Who is someone you feel really grateful for today? Tell us why.
• What is it about our home that makes it our home/special family place?
• What is something you are looking forward to tomorrow?