The Multiplier Effect: Why Gratitude is Better Together
Five years ago, I accidentally stumbled upon a truth that would change everything I thought I knew about gratitude.
When I say stumbled, I mean stumbled.
I didn't read it in a book, find it in a study, or discover it in a class.
Let me explain.
In July 2019, we hosted our first Gratitude Challenge. We sent a daily prompt by email and invited people to respond and share their responses on social media if they wished.
Several shared. When people engaged in sharing, a few received responses. There were small ripples happening.
However, sending the prompts by email presented its own set of challenges. Some people weren't getting the emails...for a variety of reasons.
We set out to solve our email delivery challenge. That's when we stumbled upon a community solution.
🤔 What if we made a community website and invited people who want to join the challenge to join us there?
We did. The creation of a community site successfully addressed the issue of sending prompts via email.
That was great news and a welcomed relief. 😮💨
EPIPHANIES HAPPENED!
But then came the epiphany. Actually, there were several epiphanies. Let me focus on two for now.
First, something amazing happened when people were sharing their responses to gratitude prompts in the community. Reading other people's responses to the same prompt helped us understand it better and made our conversations and interactions more interesting.
Expressing gratitude in a group helps you see things in new ways, makes you more grateful, and brings people closer together.
We noticed that people began interacting with what other people had shared by commenting, offering support, or sharing similar experiences. These interactions spread positivity and connection beyond the initial expression of gratitude.
Second, we discovered that gratitude is truly universal, transcending cultural, linguistic, and religious boundaries.
Regardless of background or belief system, participants found common ground in their expressions of appreciation. Gratitude's universality expanded and strengthened our community, connecting us on a fundamental human level despite our diverse backgrounds.
Those were mind-blowing🤯 and heart-expanding experiences💗. We've continued building on these epiphanies and experiences.
A NEW DISCOVERY
Fast-forward to May of this year. I discovered GratitudePlus, an app that seemed to embody everything we had learned about communal gratitude. It wasn't just about personal journaling; it was about sharing appreciation within circles of like-hearted individuals.
Excited by the potential, I dove in, joining and created two gratitude circles. Today, I'm on the verge of celebrating a significant milestone: my first 100-day streak on GratitudePlus. It happens tomorrow!
This 100-day gratitude streak isn't just a personal achievement. It's a testament to the power of sharing gratitude in community.
Over these 100 days, I've witnessed again how sharing gratitude in a community setting amplifies its benefits. The daily practice of expressing gratitude, seeing others' expressions, and engaging in this shared experience is transformative.
FRESH INSIGHTS ON SHARED GRATITUDE
I invited members of our gratitude circles to share their insights and experiences to celebrate the power of shared gratitude as many of them approach their own gratitude milestones. I posed two questions:
What's been the most surprising or unexpected benefit you've experienced since starting a daily gratitude practice?
How has your daily gratitude practice changed the way you interact with others or perceive the world around you?
The responses were rich and illuminating. With their permission, I'm sharing these valuable insights with you.
As we analyzed the experiences shared by our gratitude community members, four powerful themes emerged. Practicing gratitude together can have a transformative impact on our inner worlds and our interactions with others. The themes shared below exemplify the incredible impact of expressing gratitude within a community. From heightened awareness to profound personal growth, these themes encapsulate the multifaceted benefits of communal gratitude:
Increased Mindfulness and Presence
Shift in Perspective and Outlook
Improved Relationships and Interactions
Increased Confidence, Courage, and Self-Awareness
Let's explore these themes by listening to our community members and understanding how gratitude has improved their lives and led to personal growth.
Theme 1: Increased Mindfulness and Presence
Devin Keane : "I've felt more aware than I ever have… Gratitude has caused me to have an increased presence in the moment."
Valerie Probstfeld: "It allows me to be present in the moment… Gratitude shifts our perspective to the present moment."
Alyssa Towns : "I've caught myself pausing and feeling more present, recognizing how interactions and people make me feel."
These responses highlight how a daily gratitude practice can increase mindfulness and presence in daily life. It's about being more aware of the present moment and savoring the experiences and interactions with others.
Theme 2: Shift in Perspective and Outlook
Christy Kern: "It's less about 'look at all these awesome things in my life' and more about collectively bearing witness to the grace tucked within each day."
Valerie Probstfeld: "It is like putting on a different pair of glasses. One sees the world from an entirely new perspective when you actively search for gratitude."
John Horsley: "Multiple unexpected surprises… I’ve often crawled into the ‘shoulda’ trap which reinforces doubt and shatters present confidence. Instead of shoulding on myself (lol) I’ve started being grateful for the learning and thinking about its application."
These responses show how a daily gratitude practice can shift one's perspective and outlook on life. It's about focusing on the good, finding the lessons in challenges, and approaching life with a more positive and optimistic mindset.
Theme 3: Improved Relationships and Interactions
Sondra Norris: "The opportunities, the conversations, the massive increase in the number of conversations and people I've now met."
John Horsley: "I approach things with such calmness and peace… I've been able to approach difficult conversations well, make hard decisions with grace and humility."
Devin Keane: "It's allowed me to connect much more deeply with people, as long as they are open to that."
These responses demonstrate how a daily gratitude practice can improve relationships and interactions with others. It's about being more present, empathetic, and kind in our interactions, leading to deeper connections and more meaningful relationships.
Theme 4: Increased Confidence, Courage, and Self-Awareness
Dr. Gina Anderson: "The most unexpected benefit for me personally is it has opened my own courage to be completely transparent."
John Horsley: "My self-confidence has improved because I’m living in the here and now without regret from the past and anxiety from the future."
Sondra Norris: "I have experienced a huge increase in how I believe in and act from my intuition."
These responses highlight how a daily gratitude practice can increase confidence, courage, and self-awareness. It's about being more authentic, living in the present, and trusting one's instincts.
Please add your responses to these questions in the comments below.
AN INVITATION TO GRATITUDE IN COMMUNITY
As we reflect on the power of shared gratitude and its ability to enrich our understanding, enhance our experiences, and enliven our conversations, I invite YOU to take two simple actions to experience this for yourself:
Start Your Own Gratitude Circle: Whether it's with family, friends, or colleagues, create a small group dedicated to sharing daily gratitude. This can be as simple as a group text, chat, or a regular meet-up. Or, you can use GratitudePlus. Remember, the key is consistency and openness. NOTE: I can help you do this in your company and tie it into other gratitude initiatives and group experiences – contact me.
Join the I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU (IGFY) Circle on GratitudePlus: If you're ready to dive into a broader community of gratitude practitioners, I warmly invite you to join our IGFY Circle on the GratitudePlus app. Here, you'll find a supportive environment to express your gratitude, gain new perspectives, and connect with others on a similar journey. To join, simply download the GratitudePlus app and search for the 'I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU' circle. Send me a message letting me know you've joined us!
By taking these steps, you're not just cultivating personal gratitude; you're becoming part of a movement that's spreading positivity and appreciation across the globe. Remember, gratitude is better together. Let's enrich, enhance, and enliven our gratitude practice as a community and IN a community.
Join me here next week as we dive into the idea of INFUSING gratitude into your life and leadership! I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU... thanks for joining.