Gratitude Letters Series

Challenge Day 1 Activity:

Choose a friend or family member or several that you feel gratitude for especially in the current environment of this year. We all have worry and stress, dealing with the pandemic and the ramifications of the changes our society is going through, but we need to take a moment and appreciate the silver linings where we can. So take some time away from those wonderfully engaging shows that we all love to binge watch and sit down with a legitimate pen and paper, and find your own words to express appreciation for those that have supported you this year and/or have made a difference in your life.

Some tips to get you started:

1. Write as though you are addressing the person directly.
2. Don’t worry about perfect grammar or spelling.
3. Describe in specific terms what this person did, why you are grateful to this person, and how this person’s behavior affected your life. Try to be as concrete as possible.
4. Describe what you are doing in your life now and how you often remember his or her efforts.
5. Try to keep your letter to roughly one page (approximately 300 words).

Keeping safe during delivery is also important, sending the letter by mail instead of hand delivering it, or better yet, schedule a video call and read it to them directly so that they can hear the details directly from your own mouth is a great way to express that gratitude. It will do wonders for both you and the recipient.

It is key to note that this is different from just writing a simple “Thank you” note or letter. Being grateful is about appreciating what one has, as opposed to what one wants, while thanking someone, you are acknowledging your thanks for something that has been given to you.