We have all kinds of parties. We have parties for special events & sports games. We have parties where we invite our friends, hope they will buy stuff and then we'll get free stuff! We have keg parties and costume parties and tea parties. If you like parties, the reasons to have one are countless. At my senior center we even have parties to celebrate the birthday of our tropical fish. I would like to suggest, on the eve of Thanksgiving, that we consider a Gratitude Party.
I was on a call last night with a group of wonderful coaches and the idea of a Gratitude Party was mentioned by Renee Canali. Renee is a delightful spirit who had the theme of Celebration last year and is anticipating the theme of Gratitude for 2008 so it makes perfect sense that she would combine the two and come up with the idea of a Gratitude Party. (To join Renee's Virtual Gratitude Party see the link below.)
My head has been spinning ever since. I imagine Gratitude Parties popping up all over the place. Shy about celebrating your birthday? Invite all of your friends over for a Gratitude Party. The possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Have everyone bring an object that represents something they are grateful for and create a piece of art with all of the objects or put them on a Gratitude Alter.
Ask each person to bring a quote or a reading that speaks to them on the subject of Gratitude.
If you invited people that know each other, you could spend time having them focus their gratitude on one person at a time. Can you imagine what it would feel like to stand in a room and have others tell you why they are grateful you are here?
You could have a contest where the first person to list 100 (or any number) things they are grateful for gets a prize. Then you could post the lists around the room for everyone to see.
You could pass a ball around and everytime the ball comes to you, you have to yell out something you are grateful for.
Want a bigger party? Explore a virtual party or a audio party using a service such as teleconference.com.
You could do many of the same things in the virtual world that you can do in the real world these days. You could share stories, quotes, ideas for embracing gratitude every day. You could create lists, express your gratitude for others or just learn from others who have so much to share on the subject. To join Renee's Virtual Gratitude Party, click here.
As I said, the possibilities are endless. Hit the comment button and let me know any ideas that come to mind. Help add to the gratitude movement!
A very wonderful Thanksgiving to you!!! May it be just the beginning!
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