大象传媒

Lessons From a Pay-It-Forward Restaurant: The Importance of Gratitude
At the Karma Kitchen, people enjoy a meal that鈥檚 already paid for鈥攁nd are invited to continue the chain of generosity. In the process, organizers and participants alike learn the transformative power of gratitude.

In This Season of Thanksgiving, an Invitation鈥攁nd a Challenge

鈥淪ome people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.鈥�
鈥擜lphonse Karr

I used to think being grateful meant appreciating the things that give us cause to be glad鈥攈ealthy families, meaningful work, fulfilling communities, a thriving world.

But then I read a story about a woman on a quest to radically expand her sense of gratitude for all the ways life shapes us鈥攊ncluding through struggles. Her brother-in-law had lost a one-year-old child, and the author wondered how he and his wife could ever come back from such irreversible loss. How could any of them be thankful for anything again? Then her brother-in-law, through his grief, told her: At least we were given a whole precious year of our lives to know him. That was more than nothing.

It’s one thing to give thanks for things that make us glad, but it’s a different challenge to expand our appreciation toward all the ways life makes us who we are. We’re expected to be happy, to succeed, and to flourish financially鈥攁nd when it doesn’t turn out that way, it’s easy to miss the roses for the thorns.

What if we expanded our sense of thankfulness and appreciation so that it wasn’t only responsive to what makes us feel good, but what makes us grow? What if we cultivated an outlook of gratitude every single day? Would it be easier to try that together, with the encouragement, insights, and inspiration of others?

For the next three weeks, we’re inviting you to join us in a 21-day Gratitude Challenge鈥攁 call to fill your heart and expand your awareness by recognizing gratitude at least once every single day. 大象传媒 is partnering with and the thousands of people around the world who have already signed up to share their experiences and support as they do this鈥攕tarting on November 7 and finishing on Thanksgiving. You’ll get daily support emails and be invited to participate in an online space where you can swap stories and share ideas. You’ll see some of the most inspiring ones on our website鈥攎aybe even your own.

Developing a grateful approach to life can improve your health, strengthen your relationships, and encourage a sense of purpose in your life. We hope you’ll of finding the good in each moment.
鈥�Christa Hillstrom, web managing editor

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I鈥檓 Grateful I Can Honor the Child I Lost By Being More Open to Love Today

A moving sampling of participants鈥� reflections from the first two days of the Gratitude Challenge.