Gratitude and Appreciation

Introduction The Power of Gratitude and Appreciation Gratitude and appreciation are important in community life and in community building because they bring us into positive and direct relationship with ourselves and others. In this Tool Box section, we will define and explain how shared gratitude and appreciation can enliven the process and the effectiveness of building community.

Defining Gratitude and Appreciation Many of us use these words interchangeably. But there is a useful distinction to be made between them. The Oxford Dictionary online defines gratitude as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” On the other hand, appreciation is defined as the “recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.”

The Importance of Gratitude and Appreciation in Community Building Gratitude and appreciation are not daily demands. They will not, by themselves, keep the lights on or get the staff paid. Although gratitude and appreciation may seem abstract and postponable, or even dispensable, they are just as important in their own way.

Situations Favoring the Promotion of Gratitude and Appreciation Recognition for the food we are about to eat Expressions of love to our families and people in our community Appreciation for relationships Appreciation for colleagues Celebrations for group or individual achievements Acknowledgment for acts of service Humility and appreciation for the challenges of unresolved situations Interest and appreciation for the mystery and mastery of how the world and how our lives are unfolding

How to Use Gratitude and Appreciation in Community Building The Cycle of Gratitude and Appreciation When people come to your program, welcome them! Recognize and appreciate their efforts and skills. Appreciate and be guided by the cultural dynamics of the community. Engage in both planned and spontaneous acts of appreciation. Do something innovative. Take a small risk in addressing a priority. Invite both planned and spontaneous feedback. Give thanks for the opportunities your program has enjoyed. Celebrate with awards or other kinds of recognition.

When You Are Familiar with the Community Setting Examples of communication strategies and activities you might use: With consent, take photos or videos of people while they are building community. Take on-site before and after shots of building or project development. Share physical or mental images of what is challenging your project. Send out brief progress reports with visuals. Show and tell people specifically how their contributions will be used in the project. Write and send notes of gratitude to people who might not have been sufficiently acknowledged in previous events.

When You Are New to the Community Setting Ideas for individual community workers sharing gratitude and appreciation for people outside the community: Center yourself to overcome any of your own feelings of stress, isolation, or separation. Show your appreciation for the opportunity to get to know them. Reflect on the community members themselves. Invite community members to share what they are grateful for. Share food, flowers, art, or something you love. Become intentional about your gratitude practices.

When You Are New to the Community Setting For organizations, networks, and funders: Ask each participant what they recognize as strengths in your program. To enrich or increase trust, especially when trust is necessary. To deal with a crisis or situation when there is no planned strategy. In transitioning from a crisis, or when you are refocusing and regrouping, ask people to state directly some of the things they are thankful for.

Developing and Promoting Gratitude and Appreciation A variety of gratitude practices help people and groups to relax and open up to each other, and let a group’s positive qualities shine through. Beginning with Oneself: Self-Care Cradling Work Heart-Centered Meditation Journaling Savoring Micro-Moments of Love and Connection Developing Gratitude and Appreciation in Groups Collective Expressions: Festivals and Celebrations

Challenges, Issues, and Questions Potential Pitfalls in Expressing Gratitude and Appreciation: Trying too hard to be grateful Focusing on feeling grateful for someone or something that isn’t worthy Using gratitude to avoid a serious problem Downplaying your own successes through excessive gratitude Mistaking gratitude for indeptedness Making sufficient space and time to build relationships Overemphasizing Sticking to the mission Being authentic

Potential Pitfalls in Receiving Gratitude and Appreciation Receiving praise can make people feel uncomfortable Receiving recognition can reduce objectivity Receiving acknowledgement can be a distraction The cultural context may not be understood

Conclusion It’s reassuring to note that during these times of deep social, economic, and technological transition, we can draw upon the power of something as accessible and portable as gratitude and appreciation. We have tried to show how you, as a community builder, can draw upon and utilize these powerful spiritual qualities to advance your own community goals. What practices of gratitude or appreciation have been successful for you? How might you share gratitude and appreciation in your own community-building work? We encourage you to reflect upon and answer these questions for yourself, and then take the next steps forward.