Mindset: An Attitude of Gratitude

An Attitude of Gratitude

One mantra that has been helpful for me throughout my career is to “give thanks in all things.” If you know my story, you know that I grew up with a single parent with MS. My mom certainly had cause for seeing life as a glass half empty, but she chose to see the positives in life and greeted each day with a smile and a word of thanks.

Gratitude is a vital mindset for teachers, parents and students because it truly affects how life is viewed.  Anita Kuhnley, reports in her book The Mister Rogers Effect, that gratitude equals relationship glue.  The science of gratitude engenders hope. We know that gratitude helps us optimize the way our brains function so we bring the best of ourselves to relationships. Gratitude is relationship Miracle-Gro that keeps relationships growing and flourishing.”

I believe that thankfulness is something that can and should be taught. Gratitude is both a skill and an attitude that should be integrated into our school music programs and booster organizations. By expressing gratitude for a job well done or for a good effort, we create a positive atmosphere that people want to be a part of.

According to relationship researcher John Gottman, the magic ratio is 5 to 1. It takes 5 positives to balance 1 negative interaction. His research concurs with Anita Kuhnley  who says:

”For relationships to make it for the long haul, research reveals the number of positive interactions needs to be greater than the number of negative interactions—specifically about five times as great. So, for every negative interaction, there need to be at least five positives to create an overall atmosphere of emotional positivity.”

Let’s quickly explore some simple ways to create a positive atmosphere of gratitude:

- Send a text message to boost morale and offer encouragement.

- Smile and add a quick word of praise, such as "Well done."

- Write a note of gratitude after a multifaceted fundraiser.

- Send an email expressing thanks to all the various committees involved in an event.

- Look for positives in challenging situations; for instance, when...

- Conclude each booster meeting with "Thank you for your service."

- Start each booster meeting by saying, "I’m grateful for your help, as we couldn’t function without you."

- Take time during each meeting to "Celebrate Your Wins!" whether they are large or small.

- Give away $5 gift cards accompanied by a note of appreciation.

- Consciously recognize individuals doing things right and comment positively, either aloud or in writing.

Gratitude starts with you and spreads throughout your organization.  It is the glue that will keep your boosters going in good and bad times.

Resource:

Mister Rogers Effect by Anita Kuhnley

https://books.apple.com/us/book/mister-rogers-effect/id1525934512