Every Thursday, we hope that you enjoy “The Joy Factory: Insights on Joyful Parenting (Among Other Things)” by Ruthie Yarme. More about Ruthie below.
I believe in the magic of gratitude. Today, I have empirical evidence of its power!
Isabella took a huge fall at “school” this afternoon. Andre and I were playing soccer on the lawn while Isabella and her friends decided to run over to the playground. I kicked the soccer ball right into her path.
Ball and girl collided, tripping her in mid-stride. She catapulted into the air, landing completely splayed out on the hard concrete. Skinned knees, hands, elbows and a gigantic raspberry on her hip…screams, tears, blaming, anger. She tried to gather herself and continue to the playground with her friends, but it didn’t work. She couldn’t find her center. It was the “worst day ever.”
I persuaded her to ride home with me. Riding bikes along the creek with the sunlight beaming down on us, I could feel her returning to a place of balance.
We, then, hopped in the car to meet Adam for a treat at one of our favorite local bakeries. On the way, she asked if I could help her make an entry in her gratitude journal. Isabella has several gratitude journals- some paper, some electronic (like mother, like daughter!). This particular day, she was using a gratitude journal app that allows you to write your “gratitudes”, add a picture and rate your day.
She wrote:
My life
My health
My family
My friends
Then, she said, “I’m going to rate today as a ‘4’ since I had that big fall”. I looked at her, a little stunned. “Wow, 4 is pretty high for a day with a big fall.”
Adam was waiting for us, full of glee and silliness. We sat down with our cookies and sandwiches and chocolate milks and lattes, smiling and laughing. Isabella pulled out the iPhone, made a few taps and showed me that she had added another star to her day. “I’m making it a 5 star day, Mom. It was just a tiny ow-ie. It didn’t take up a star.”
Empirical evidence! I can read the headline now. “Gratitude Turns ‘Worst Day Ever’ Into a 5-Star Day.”
Following Isabella’s delightful example, I am off to write my own “gratitudes”.
1. I am grateful for the magic of gratitude!
Ruthie Yarme is a homeschooling mom, living in Santa Cruz, CA. She delights in walking among the towering Redwoods; watching her dog, Ginger, romp along the Pacific; listening to her husband play music of all styles; and pretty much doing anything with her two amazing gurus, Isabella and Andre.
You can find Ruthie’s essays here every Thursday. . She would love to hear your thoughts and stories on parenting, partnering and joyful living. Feel free to contact her at moc.camnull@emray
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, I love this! The fact that Isabella was even able to find gratitude on a lousy-no-good-rotten day is wonderful evidence that our spirits are like corks floating in water – they bob up to the top when we focus our attention on what *is* going well. We hold them down under the water when we focus on what isn’t.
The fact that a 7 year-old girl can do this so quickly and effectively is humbling and inspiring to me! Please give Isabella*my* thanks and appreciation!!! (And thank you, Ruthie, for capturing the story so beautifully!)
What a great idea to get your kids to start a gratitude journal. How old were they when they started?
Great story anyway. I learn from my two sons every day.
M
Stacey! Thanks for your ever-present enthusiasm for me, my writing, this website! I love you!
Mindful Mimi-
I always say that my kids are my gurus. I, too, learn from them every day! Thanks so much for your comment!
Isabella and I started a nightly gratitude journal when she was 5. I have outrageously beautiful entries from those days, written in her new-to-writing hand. I’m going to have to take a look at those old ones today!!
Andre, my youngest (almost 5 now), hasn’t been as interested in writing his “gratitudes” down, so we talk about things that make us happy as we go to bed. It all brings a smile to my face. Last night, when I asked him, he grabbed me in a huge hug and said, “YOU, Mommy!!” Be still, my heart!!
Oh my goodness, Ruthie! Finn said the same thing to me last night!!! You can read the whole story in my WAYA post tomorrow!
With mums like you, ladies, world peace, abundance, joy, creativity and celebration will become the norm on this planet.
You are the change.
Hi Nik! Thanks SO much for the sweet note! I’m just so glad there are so many men who are the change too!!! (Did you read Lance’s sweet and inspiring note on Monday?) To quote the great Beatles’ song “I am you. You are me. We are we. And we are all together!”
Stacey-
I love that Finn and Andre shouted out their love for us in exactly the same way on the exact same night… a continent apart! Amazing!
Nik-
Thank you! I love watching all of us come together to try to bring more peace, abundance, joy, creativity and celebration into our individual lives. I agree with Stacey….we are creating this change together! I’m so enjoying being on the journey with all of you!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Stacey and Ruthie!
Yes, indeed, we live in amazing times in each and every way.
Hello again Nik!
Thanks so much for your sweet note! The other day I read an interview with Thich Nhat Hahn. He talked of “sanghas” or beloved communities and that reminded me of your note about how we are more than communities – we are extended families. Thank you again for that!
Glad you liked the distinction, Stacey.
I will be writing an article to introduce the age of the extended families and how the new media revolution is empowering this global phenomenon.
Good morning, Nik!
Oh, that’s wonderful! I can’t wait to read it! Please let us know when it is available!
Will do and thanks for the interest, Stacey!
Hi Ruthie,
This is such a lovely story! Hello to you all, and love from your cousin, Hilary
Wow! Hi Hilary! What serendipity! I was just looking for a DVD for a friend (actually for Stacey whose blog this is) and found the CD that you sent me with all of grandma’s photos on it…just now!! So good to “see” you here. Hope that you and your family are well! love, Ruthie