Today's guest post is brought to you by an experienced teacher and district leader dedicated to building learning communities focused on learner-driven design, social-emotional learning, and online/blended learning. She is also the author of the BRAND NEW Bold Gratitude journal, ranking Amazon #1 New Release and Evolving with Gratitude which also proves to be a best seller.

Congrats and take it away, Lainie Rowell!

Guest Post by Lainie Rowell

The Power of Bold Gratitude in Learning Communities

Part 2: Express Authentic and Specific Gratitude to Nurture Relationships

Expressing authentic and specific gratitude is a powerful way to nurture and strengthen relationships. When we take the time to acknowledge and appreciate someone's actions or qualities with sincerity, it not only makes them feel seen, heard, known, and valued but also deepens the connection between us.

Authentic gratitude goes beyond generic compliments; it involves boldly recognizing and highlighting specific actions, qualities, or efforts that have positively impacted our lives. By being specific, we show that we truly pay attention and care about the details, which in turn fosters trust and intimacy in our relationships. 

Whether it's a heartfelt thank-you note, a personal conversation, or a small gesture of appreciation, expressing authentic and specific gratitude has the remarkable ability to uplift spirits, create a positive atmosphere, and cultivate lasting bonds with those we cherish. But how do we do this? 

As Jeremy Adam Smith explains, "the richest thank you's will acknowledge intentions (the pancakes you make when you see I'm hungry) and costs (you massage my feet after work even when you're really tired), and they'll describe the value of benefits received (you give me hugs when I'm sad so that I'll feel better)." 

Given this, we can start by identifying important people in our lives. This could include friends, family members, neighbors, teachers, mentors, coaches, and more. We can even complete the prompts that follow to think more deeply about the value of others.

People who…

• make me laugh are...
• cheer me on are...
• stretch my thinking are...
• love me unconditionally, are...  

Once we notice and name those who are important to us, we can take this practice to the next level by writing epic gratitude letters that illustrate our understanding and appreciation of the intention, cost, and value of the gifts we have received. This is mutually beneficial and nurtures relationships. 

Our focus is on connecting with others to make them feel seen, heard, known, and valued. And while I love a handwritten note as much as the next person, the reality is that we can make others feel special via text messages, emails, voicemails, etc., so I prefer to make sure the connection happens rather than create a barrier worrying about the medium of the message.     

- Lainie