World Gratitude Day

Today is World Gratitude Day. World Gratitude Day first began in 1965 in Hawaii when a group of people from around the world decided that it would a great idea to have one day in the year to formally express their gratitude to others. World Gratitude Day is celebrated to bring the world together in a day of thankfulness, and to show our gratitude to one another in different ways, while reminding people of the importance of expressing our appreciation and gratefulness. For whatever is happening in the world at the moment, there is always something to be grateful for, and experiencing that of gratitude can have a further positive impact, both for yourself and potentially for those around you. By reflecting on what you are grateful for, you can positively shift your own mood. At Ascent Rehabilitation, our team are celebrating World Gratitude Day by reflecting and sharing our thoughts on what we’re grateful for, and how to show gratefulness to others today.  

What are you grateful for this World Gratitude Day?

Adelaide: I am grateful for time spent with my friends and family, including at work. I am very grateful for the beautiful days that I get to spend with my husband and my puppy, and the weekends that I get to spend with my family. 

Bronwen: Every night before I go to sleep, I take a few moments to identify at least three things I am grateful for. Developing this practice has helped me to appreciate that gratitude is an attitude we can deliberately develop. Even on the most challenging of days, there is so much I can be grateful for: my family, the weather, a great cup of coffee, the sun shining, and getting a courtesy wave when you let someone merge. One thing that is regularly on my list is that I am so grateful for our team. I feel incredibly privileged to work with such exceptional people. 

Christel: I am grateful for a lot. I am grateful for my family, living in a safe country, being in a place where there is less crime, seeing a bright blue sky, having friendly and supportive colleagues, my lovely clients, and for my and my family’s health. 

Damien: I think we take for granted family and friends, and the little things as well. We tend to get hung up on the big things in life, but I think it’s the little things every day, like a cup of coffee (which I am very grateful for), that we forget about. I think it’s those things and small moments that we share every day that I am grateful for. 

Jessica: I am grateful for Spring. I am grateful for the flowers that are coming out, and with the warmer weather coming along, because it was very cold over Winter. I am grateful for my family, and my connections. I am so grateful for the sunshine at the moment.

Jonathan: I’m a Christian, so I’m grateful for God. I’m grateful for my family. I’m learning to be more in the moment in what I’m grateful for, such as spending time with family, how things are at work, and being able to appreciate the relationships I have with people. 

Megan: I am grateful for everything. There’s nothing that I’m not grateful for. I’m grateful to live in a safe country. I’m grateful to have a warm bed. I’m grateful for a supportive, fun family. I’m grateful that we have healthy bodies that enable us to go out to hike, swim, ride our bikes, row our boats, and all sorts of things. The list of what I’m grateful for just goes on. 

Naomi: I am grateful for my family. My family have always been there for me and is my main support system. I am extremely grateful for my two Jack Russell Terriers, Blossom, and Opal. My precious Blossom and Opal bring me so much joy and love, and I am grateful for them every day.

Simbar: I am grateful for life, my health, and my family. I am grateful for being a part of Ascent Rehabilitation. It was a big move in my life to come here to Australia, and become a team member of Ascent Rehabilitation. In my practice, I’ve always desired to work in Occupational Rehabilitation, and I’m glad for this opportunity to be able to do this.

What do you think is one way to show and spread gratefulness to others this World Gratitude Day?

Adelaide: I think telling people that you’re grateful for them. I also think it’s important to express that you’re grateful for things, such as the weather, or your supportive team members. I think people should go take a minute from their day and be grateful to someone else, and help them think about what they’re grateful for too. 

Bronwen: In our team, I often say that “it’s nice to be nice”, and as a team, we try to actively spread our gratefulness to others by noticing and actively thanking them for their work. I think the simple act of writing a thank you email, or even better, yet an actual card, and thanking a person can be such a lovely thing to do to spread gratitude.

Christel: By being kind to others, and saying thank you when someone does something that you appreciate. When someone is doing something for you, you should acknowledge that and appreciate what they’re doing. Also, be positive to people every day, and verbalise that positivity to the people you appreciate.

Damien: A thank you message. It doesn’t have to be a big present or gift. I think if people either give a thank you in person, an email, or a text that is recognising something someone has done for them, then it’s always best to do so. I think by thanking people that it goes a long way, even further than giving a gift. 

Jessica: I think the connection we have with others is really important for gratitude and gratefulness. Whether that’s smiling at somebody on the street, making a point to connect with a friend or a family member that you haven’t connected with for a little while (just make that phone call), or saying something nice to the cashier at Woolworths. I think connection helps gratitude come through when you make someone else feel nice, which makes you grateful.

Jonathan: I think it’s about being able to help people appreciate others, and slowing down. I think in the world we live in now, everything is twenty-four-seven and constant. I get the sense a lot of people are feeling constantly bombarded, and they don’t have the time to stop, reflect, and be grateful for things. I think it’s about trying to help people sense or identify ways they can slow things down, or create a space for gratitude. 

Megan: I think one of the best ways to let people know you’re grateful for them is by being there for them as their support. By being there for someone, whether you’re doing it actively or unconsciously, you’re telling them that you appreciate them. Your attitude and how you engage with those people can also reassure them that you are grateful for them.  

Naomi: I think it can be hard to recognise the things that people can do for you every day. It’s things like, doing the dishes, making you a cup of tea, or asking if there’s anything you need from the store. I think it’s important to be grateful for those ordinary things, and thank the people who do them, because they’re doing it for you because they care about you and support you. 

Simbar: Through giving and complimenting others, and acknowledging other people for who they are, what they do for you, and for being there with you. I think that helps because you appreciate them, and you’re showing that you appreciate what they do.

A number of things to be grateful for may include your family, your friends, having clean drinking water, the rain and the sunshine, the electricity in your home, your favourite movie, your favourite sports team, your beloved pet, or having access to the internet to name a few. Whatever you are grateful for today, take a moment to reflect on it. Consider actively showing the people in your life, who you are grateful to, that you appreciate them and what they do for you. At Ascent Rehabilitation, our team are grateful for each client we have, the people we work with, our team, and the important work we do every day.