On Gratitude & Thankful Stones (+ a Giveaway!)

It's that time of year where we talk a lot about having an "attitude of gratitude" in my nest. I feel like we could really grow as a family in this area. Despite my efforts to teach and model appreciation to my girls, I still feel like they often behave with an air of entitlement. I know on some level this will change as they grow older and develop, but in the meantime, I'm always looking for new ways to help them count their blessings and creatively express gratitude. So, when I came across the idea of "thankful stones" in Jean Van't Hul's (The Artful Parent) e-book, The Artful Year, Autumn, I was intrigued.

The girls and I (and even daddy) spent some time over the weekend making melted crayon rocks and writing what we are thankful for on each of them. Selecting the crayon colors and then watching them melt and swirl together on hot rocks was a mindful - and mesmerizing - activity, allowing us time to really think and talk about what we are grateful for, and what we would write on our stones. Among the blessings we expressed are: food, love, friends, peace, the sun & the moon, family, nature, and even noses (yes, we should be thankful for our noses, I suppose!).

To keep the idea of gratitude in our consciousness, we've decided to each select a different thankful stone every morning to display on a side table in our family room, highlighting a blessing to think about and be grateful for during the day. Then, at the dinner table each evening, we talk about the stone we chose and why we are thankful for that blessing in our life.

How does your family cultivate gratitude? I'd love to hear your ideas.

 

*********** A GIVEAWAY! *************

 

WINNERS: Cheryl , Gina & SolDucky!!

The Artful Year, Autumn is full of many more creative, mindful ways to celebrate the season with fun projects and recipes for the whole family. Just in time for Thanksgiving, The Artful Parent is GIVING AWAY THREE E-BOOKS to Natural Nester readers! Here's how to enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post for one chance to win - tell me what you're thankful for right now.
• Stop by and "like" A Natural Nester on Facebook for another chance (be sure to leave another comment here and let me know).

• While you're at it, "like" The Artful Parent too (again, leave a separate comment here to let me know) for yet another chance at winning.

* Each comment counts as an entry! Winners will be announced on Friday, November 16th, at the end of the day.