What is Gratitude?

Before we begin our chat, we want to remind you that we are coming together to learn from one another. This means that this is a safe place to share our ideas and questions. Please take the hand of the person to the right and left side of you and share one of two possible affirmations.

Option 1

“I am happy to share my ideas with you.”

Group Repeats


Option 2


Please repeat after me …

“You are my other me.”           

                   Group Repeats

“If I do harm to you”

                   Group Repeats

“I do harm to myself.” 

                   Group Repeats              

“If I love and respect you”

                   Group Repeats

“I love and respect myself.”

Group Repeats

1. What do you think gratitude means?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

  • Some people think gratitude means focusing on the good in life
  • A lot of people believe gratitude means being thankful
  • Many people think gratitude means showing kindness to others

2. Can you name some people and things you are grateful for?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

  • Your family
  • Trees
  • Rainbows
  • The sun and moon
  • Stars
  • God
  • Love
  • Happiness
  • School
  • Your home
  • Food
  • Sleep
  • Kindness

3. How do you show gratitude?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

  • A lot of people show gratitude by giving big hugs
  • Most people use their voices to give thanks and show gratitude
  • Some people will show gratitude through prayer and meditation
  • Many people show they are grateful by being kind and thoughtful towards others
  • A lot of people will show they are grateful by drawing pictures or writing cards expressing why they are grateful

4. Many people use the words “thank you” or “thanks” when they are grateful. What do you mean when say those words?
[Go around the circle and have everyone take a turn answering the question]

  • Some people believe saying thank you is a wonderful way to let other people know how great their actions have made you feel
  • A lot of people say thank you because they know those two words will make the person they are thanking feel good
  • Many people say thank you as a way of letting others know how appreciated and loved they are

Thank You

Materials Needed:

  • Your Thoughts

We have just spent time showing gratitude and talking about what the words “thank you” really mean. For this activity, let’s sit in a circle, close your eyes and join hands. Picture in your mind all of the things you are grateful for. Try to see these things clearly in your mind and feel them deeply in your heart. When you are able to see the things you are grateful for clearly in your mind’s eye, share one of the things you are grateful for out loud and gently squeeze the hand of the person sitting next to you. As each hand is squeezed, each person in the circle gets a turn sharing something they are grateful for.

[Feel free to play one of our recommended songs while the kids work on this activity]

How did it feel to picture things you are grateful for in your mind? Was it easy or hard? As you were focusing on your gratitude, how many things or people came into your mind? Were any of the things you were grateful for surprising to you? When we give thanks and show gratitude towards others, we are showing the important place they hold in our lives. Saying thank you and showing gratitude is one of the best ways to share your appreciation with others.

[Invite the group to find a relaxing position, take a mat or towel, if you are working on a hard floor. They may sit on the floor or lie down to be comfortable.  Speak slightly slower in a soft, soothing tone throughout, pausing briefly between sentences. You may also play soft, instrumental music in the background]

Welcome to our Meditation Time: The time where we relax and connect to our spiritual center.  Quietly sit or lie down and rest with your hands on your tummy, as we start our meditation.

[Wait until all are settled to begin.]  [Optional: Begin music]

Close your eyes and let your muscles relax into the floor.  Take a slow, deep breath in – into the center of your body… as you silently count 1, 2, 3.  Now you slowly breathe out, thinking 1,2,3.  Breathe in — 1, 2, 3 … breathe out – 1, 2, 3.  Keep breathing in and out slowly and steadily.

It’s been said that if the only prayer you ever said were the words “Thank you”, it would be enough.  Gratitude is showing appreciation for all the good in our world.  [Pause.]  What can we appreciate?  Anything and everything.  Think how you can show appreciation to your parents, teachers, and friends for the happiness they bring you.  Will you give them a hug?  Write a nice note?  Do them a favor?  Tell them what you appreciate the most about them?  It will make them feel to know that you are grateful for them.  An attitude of gratitude makes everyone feel good.  Think about someone who you are grateful for, and why you are grateful for them.  [Long Pause.]

 Now let’s take one more deep breath in – 1, 2, 3.  And one more deep breath out – 1, 2, 3.  Now slowly open your eyes, and end our meditation by saying “Namaste.”  [Follow direction.]

[Optional: Turn off music]
[Optional: Say:  Please return your mat/towel to its starting place]

Closing — Choose One:

Closing Affirmation — Option 1 

Turn to the person to your right, look them in the eye and say “I am happy I could share this time with you and hear about your beliefs.”

 Closing Prayer — Option 2  
The light of god surrounds us
The love of god enfolds us
The power of god protects us
The presence of god watches over us
Wherever we are, god is and all is well!

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