Gratitude: A Strength to Embrace This Holiday Season

Written by: Erica Stokes, MAC, CPS

As Thanksgiving nears and the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time for reflection and gratitude. At the Community Service Board of Middle Georgia (CSBMG), we know that gratitude is more than a seasonal tradition—it’s a key strength that can enrich our lives and improve our work.

Gratitude, identified by the VIA Institute on Character as one of 24 Character Strengths, is a cornerstone of positive psychology, which emphasizes building on strengths to improve wellbeing. As members of the CSBMG family, embracing gratitude can enhance not only our personal lives but also our interactions with the individuals and communities we serve (VIA Institute on Character, n.d.).

What Makes Gratitude So Powerful?

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It involves recognizing and appreciating deliberate acts of kindness, like a colleague stepping in to help, or the spontaneous beauty of life, such as a brilliant sunrise on the way to work. It’s about the deeper feeling of having received a gift, whether from another person or from life itself.

Even if you’re not feeling especially grateful right now, that’s okay. Every person has the capacity for gratitude, just as we all possess different strengths. With intention and practice, gratitude can grow, becoming a powerful resource for handling challenges and improving wellbeing.

Gratitude and the CSBMG Workplace

Gratitude plays an important role in fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace. By expressing thanks to one another, we create stronger bonds, increase job satisfaction, and boost team morale. Something as simple as acknowledging a coworker’s effort or sharing appreciation for their unique contributions can create a ripple effect of positivity.

Remember, practicing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring difficulties or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it’s about choosing to focus on the good that coexists with the challenges.

Putting Gratitude into Action

This holiday season, take time to reflect on what you’re thankful for in your personal and professional life. Here are some ideas to cultivate gratitude:

• Start a Gratitude Journal: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day.
• Express Appreciation: Share your gratitude with coworkers, friends, or family members.
• Pause and Reflect: Take a moment during your day to notice the small joys, like a kind word or a moment of peace.

Resources for Managing Holiday Stress

While the holidays can bring joy, they can also be stressful. Gratitude is one tool among many to help manage holiday pressures. For additional tips, explore the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s (NAMI) holiday mental health resources (NAMI, n.d.).

As we move through this season of thankfulness, let’s celebrate the strength we have in each other and the work we do to support our community. Together, we can create a culture of gratitude that uplifts everyone at CSBMG.

References

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Tips for managing your mental health during the holidays. Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://nami.org

VIA Institute on Character. (n.d.). What are character strengths? Retrieved November 20, 2024, from https://viacharacter.org