A word from our Associate Vice President of Culture and Community
November is here, and I have been thinking about how the season of Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of a period when life’s stressors tend to kick it up a notch. Even the happiest of holidays can bring up tensions around family and finances, moments missing loved ones who aren’t here to celebrate with us, and feelings of being overwhelmed by having far too much to do and too little time to do it.
Given that reality, I think the timing of our annual Gratitude Challenge could not be more perfect. So many friends and colleagues of mine have spoken about looking back on the past 20 months and coming away with a new perspective on what — and who — matters in their lives. Embracing the Gratitude Challenge at this moment in time presents a great opportunity to continue that awareness and appreciation, and to keep centering the things that really matter.
As UG2’s Associate Vice President of Culture and Community, I have witnessed the ripple effect of gratitude firsthand, which is why I have found so much joy in presenting our team with our annual Gratitude Challenge and hearing from employees about the many positives they’ve experienced after practicing gratitude. From Harvard to the University of California at Davis, research into the benefits of gratitude practices have found increased happiness, greater life satisfaction and an elevated sense of well-being, while other studies have found impacts like improved sleep habits and even strengthened immunity.
Our 2021 Gratitude Challenge journal offers a full 30 days’ worth of prompts centered on 30 different themes, which holds even more promise when you consider that many experts say it takes 30 days to build a habit. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the practice of gratitude became second nature?
The journal offers a whole variety of prompts. Here are a few of my favorites:
Day 4: Strength. Strength comes in many forms — physical, mental, emotional, etc. — and today’s the day to focus on it. Whatever you consider your strength, celebrate that today. Or, if you prefer, look around you at the strength of others and take a moment to appreciate their strength. (Maybe even take some time to let them know how much you admire them for it!)
Day 10: Music. There are songs for every occasion and mood and hearing the right one at the right time can be life changing. What kind of music do you enjoy? What song are you most thankful for right now? What new music has come into your life this past year?
Day 16: Laughter. It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine. During difficult times, many people turn to funny things to improve their mood. What makes you laugh the most? When did you spend time laughing a lot? Use today’s prompt to reflect on the humor in life — and be sure to appreciate the times this year that you’ve had a good laugh.
Day 23: Color. Colors are incredible. What’s your favorite color? How does color play a role in your life? Today is a good day to reflect on the beauty of color and appreciate all of the hues that surround you. Color has a bigger impact on how you feel than you might think so pay attention to it.
Reflecting on these prompts takes just two minutes out of your day, but the ripple effects are immeasurable. I hope you’ll embrace the 2021 Gratitude Challenge and share it with someone you love.