After finishing Week 1, the theme was “Treat yo’self” because, seriously… you deserved it. And you still do. But also, let’s expand that.

Gratitude- or appreciation- is essential to our happiness. Happiness researchers (yeah, that’s a real field of study) debate the value of smiling or random acts of kindness. But they all agree gratitude is essential for our wellbeing.

Gratitude is at first a mindset. With an ‘attitude of gratitude’ we think of what and who we are grateful for. We then must turn those thoughts into emotion and behavior. Expressing our gratitude (in a text, call, in-person) grows it beyond ourselves. That’s when gratitude moves from being a thought that we hold alone, to a reality that we share with others.

Reflect. If it's your style, take some time to draw or write about your experience this past week and share some appreciation with those you appreciate.