End of School-Year Gratitude Practice

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The end of the school year can be a whirlwind. Celebrations, summer plans, goodbyes add up to scheduling madness. It’s hard to keep up, both for adults and kids. Often things get lost in the shuffle and sometimes we forget why we are celebrating in the first place.

Endings and beginnings are a perfect time to pause, reflect and take stock of how far we have come before focusing our energy on what’s next. 

It’s not happy people who are thankful. It’s thankful people who are happy. ~ Unknown

Take a moment to be thankful for this year, either solo or with a group with this simple
4-Step Gratitude Practice.

  1. Find a quiet, calm spot in your home, your classroom or in nature. Sit comfortably either cross-legged on the floor or on the edge of a chair with both feet firmly planted on the floor. Rest your hands in your lap. Close your eyes gently and take three long, deep breaths in and out through your nose.

  2. Say aloud something you are grateful for and why. Notice how that person, thought, or thing makes you feel. Breathe in deeply and imagine you are breathing in all of that feeling. Breathe out slowly and imagine you are sending that feeling out into the world.

  3. Continue as long as you like. Take turns if you are doing this with someone else or in a group. When you are finished, bring your hands over your heart and take three more deep inhales and exhales. You may wish to journal, draw, dance or otherwise express anything that comes up for you.

  4. Make this a daily habit! Once you get the hang of it, gratitude can happen any time…walking down the street, when you wake up, before meals, before bed - whatever works for you. Involve your family, friends and anyone around you. Everyone loves to feel appreciated.

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“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.” ~ Rumi

 

 

What are you grateful for this year? We thank YOU for another wonderful, fulfilling school year. You have inspired, challenged and supported us. Your readership and participation are essential to our community.

In gratitude,
Rachel, Dan and Team Yo Re Mi