Gratitude


In my daughter’s high school graduation day, the program included a 5-10 minutes “Thanks Mum and Dad!” video clips, with all the Year 12 students in groups or individually saying: “Thanks, Mum and Dad!”.  It was very heartfelt and nice feeling to see that the young people acknowledge their parents’ hard work for raising them up.

Raising a grateful child is the greatest blessing for parents and the whole family.

In our lives, more or less, we own favors from others.  When we are young, we receive the kindness and love from our parents, families, friends, teachers, classmates and others; when we become older we accept the support and care of the younger generation who work and care for us.

Gratitude education is not about expecting children to give back but to let our children know that they are enjoying the efforts of others and that their lives are happy because of the works of the others. 


From the moment a child was born, he/she is surrounded by his/her parents' and family’s love.  Parents do whatever they can to provide home to shelter the storm and hails from outside world, to let their children grow up safely and healthily, to nourish them and provide education opportunity to the best they can.

Children brought up with gratitude, can have the courage to deal with obstacles and unfair treatment if they encounter setbacks later on in their lives; they will have a strong sense of happiness, as gratitude unshackles us from resentment and toxic emotions.

"In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.  Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships." (Harvard Health)

I read an article "I got an ATAR 99.95 but the true high achievers are my parents" in Sydney Morning Herald a few years ago, written by Daniel Hu, who was a graduate from the Sydney Boys High School and achieved a full mark of his ATAR.  It was a heartfelt and inspirational story.  A child like Daniel is already half way on his future success in his career and family life.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Femto Photography – Catch Light Speed in Motion