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PRESENTSCHAPTER 6: GRATITUDE

IntroductionGratitudeFeeling gratitude can change us, and those around us, in profound ways. The simple action of paying attention to the small things in our lives that bring us joy and saying “thank you” can make a difference. Gratitude can be life-changing when we incorporate it into our daily lives. It can impact our sleep, improve our immunity, lower our stress and anxiety levels and - my favorite - cultivate stronger relationships. Gratitude brings up feelings inside of us such as kindness, warmth, generosity and love. My wish is that after experiencing this chapter of The Duet Project, you’ll find more ways to bring gratitude into your life more often and that it has a positive impact on your whole being.2Click Here to Listen!

3Conversation StartersWhat does gratitude mean?Remember: The younger person is tasked with initiating the conversation.In what ways do you like to show gratitude?In what ways do you like to be shown gratitude?Do you think it’s important to say “thank you?”How often do you say “thank you” to others?How does your body feel when you feel appreciated?How does it feel in your body when you feel unappreciated?How do you manage your feelings when you feel unappreciated?

What’s Inside4Introduction2Podcast Link2Conversation Starters3How To Guide5What You Will Need5Instructions6Reflection Prompts8Gratitude In Action10Printer Friendly Sheets14Amy’s Tip: Click to interact with the different sections of this chapter!

5How-To Guide for Prayer Flag Banner What You Will NeedClick Here to Watch! Newspaper to protect surface Fabric Garland Puffy Paint- multi color Puffy Paint- black Tacky Glue Needle Ribbon- Find some ribbon or fabric around your house to use or buy some at a local craft store.Click Here to Purchase Supplies on AmazonPlease note: The list includes choices for various garlands, with different sizes and colors. Only order the one you like the best.

6InstructionsCreation Session #1Brainstorming GratitudesBrainstorm together about all of the things you each feel grateful for and write down everything you can think of... use your imagination. From small things, to big things, it ALL MATTERS. Your ideas should be meaningful to you. Once you have your list, condense them to match the number of flags you have. Begin your conversation with the younger person asking the Conversation Starter questions!Creation Session #2Decorating with Ribbons & JewelsIf you are able, remove the flags from the ribbon. They can be connected again when the painting is all finished. Use an even number of flags for each person. Protect the work surface before starting. If you can find a piece of cardboard to use as a placemat for each flag, it will be easier to transport to a space to allow them to dry. Decorate the flag using the ribbon and jewels you find around your house or at the craft store. To attach the ribbon and jewels, use a minimum amount of glue. Design your flags anyway you like! Cut the ribbon or keep it whole. Use the jewels, or don’t. It’s always up to you! Allow to dry completely.Ask the questions!

7InstructionsCreation Session #3Once all the flags are decorated and dry, use the puffy paint to write or paint your Gratitudes. SHAKE the paint to the tip of the bottle before starting– and often.. Skipping this step could result in paint splatter. There can never be too much shaking! The shaking allows the paint to go towards the tip to avoid bubbles, and helps the paint flow easily. Ask the questions! Repeat with each of your flags.Once your flags are dry, use the plastic needle to thread the ribbon through the flags. Consider alternating your flags or hanging them back to back. Display in a public place to remind you that there is so much to be grateful for!

Reflection PromptsGratitude Prayer FlagsGratitudeFavorite Part of the Project:Something that surprised me this month:Things I want to remember about this month’s experience:Click Here For a Printer Friendly Download8Date:

“I don’t ‘do’ art. That’s what I thought before my mom and I started doing the art boxes together. But after simple and even therapeutic crafts, I’ve learned to unleash my creativity! The monthly activities are so much fun and the questions have brought my mom and I closer, while making things I’m proud of!”“I have enjoyed each project you’ve sent me and my mom. It is great to share something with her. Your projects are so fun and great for bonding! I have fun every moment of it” - Founding member, age 10. A Pathway to Connection9in every session

My husband Donald is a wonderful provider for our family in both small and big ways that have lasting impact through his actions and words. Early on in raising our family, he gave me reassurance and instilled a belief in me that I am a good mom, despite making mistakes and the not knowing. Our girls have a calmer and more confident mom because of him, his perspective and his support. Can you feel my gratitude?Donald always has our family at the forefront of his mind when making decisions about his work, our investments and the ways we spend our time together. Experiences are important to him and he is more of an out-of-the-box thinker than me, so we’ve done some fun things together as a family based on his ideas…. Like a 4 night river rafting trip, or working together to create a weekend experience for our daughters’ bat mitzvahs, or getting married at Disneyland so that our extended family would have a fun vacation while in California. Sometimes I witness gratitude in action. Like the time we were at the airport and there was a gentleman taking his first ever airplane flight and didn’t speak any English. He needed to work something out with customer service and Donald was able to assist since he is fluent in Spanish. The gratitude this man expressed towards Donald was so touching. 10Gratitude In Action

11Gratitude in ActionThere are times when our daughters have questions about their life, and I know the guidance he provides is thought-provoking, loving and intentional. He is a man of reason, a clear guide for us and a creative thinker. Grateful that our daughters know that he will always be there for them and that there is a whole wide world waiting for them. It’s also the plethora of small things he does…. Like keeping the toilet seat down so that I don’t fall in in the middle of the night. Or how he lets me choose the restaurant. And how he lets me drive because he knows that is my preference. Grateful that he supports me in all of my ideas (even the crazy ones!) and allows me the space to figure things out, while offering a listening ear to help. It’s the willingness to listen when I really need to talk it out, too. I’m grateful for his partnership in this life. Some of my favorite times we spend is when we are being creative together. From picking out the paint colors for our house (inside and out), to envisioning a magical outdoor space to, working together to create large, beautiful mosaics in our backyard. I love listening to his ideas and incorporating them into our collaborative art pieces.

12Gratitude in ActionGrateful that we can have fun together in the planning, implementation and enjoyment of our spaces. Did I mention that we realized our dream of owning a second home in the mountains? Something we are continuing to create together - and have already begun enjoying it with our immediate and extended family and friends. This home will be used to make memories for our family for years and generations to come. I feel so blessed to be married to him, and grateful to have raised our daughters to be strong independent women, and now looking forward to making many more memories together.What fills you with gratitude this month?

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Reflection PromptsGratitude Prayer FlagsGratitudeFavorite Part of the Project:Something that surprised me this month:Things I want to remember about this month’s experience:Date:Reflection PromptsGratitude Prayer FlagsGratitudeFavorite Part of the Project:Something that surprised me this month:Things I want to remember about this month’s experience:Date:

Reflection PromptsGratitude Prayer FlagsGratitudeFavorite Part of the Project:Something that surprised me this month:Things I want to remember about this month’s experience:Date:

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