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5 Tips for Celebrating World Gratitude Day 2021

In 1965 the official start of World Gratitude Day began at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. A meditation guru named Sri Chinmoy, who also served as director of the United Nations Meditation Group, was hosting a Thanksgiving dinner to honor a group. During dinner, he suggested World Gratitude Day as a potential globally unifying day. Those in attendance pledged to host a gratitude gathering annually on September 21 in their home country.  The UN Meditation Group celebrated World Gratitude Day on September 21, 1977, at their New York City, New York headquarters. World Gratitude Day is celebrated worldwide.

  1. Be grateful for your local community: It is easy to take people for granted. Instead, take time to show appreciation to your barista, baker, butcher, police officer, doctor, firefighter, nurse, trainer, trash collector, or food server.
  2. Show gratitude to your partner or spouse: When we feel stressed, we tend to take it out on those closest to us and those we love the most. Take this opportunity to express how grateful you are for their love and support throughout the year.
  3. Appreciate your crazy family: Celebrate your differences and avoid criticizing them. Maybe your parents and siblings view things differently than you do. Let’s cherish the memories and joys that we share. Take a moment and share with your family how much you miss, cherish, and just how proud you are of them.
  4. Begin or continue a gratitude journal: It can be as simple as recording 3 things you are grateful for daily. The physical and mental benefits of a gratitude journal are well documented.
  5. Create a social media post: Surprise that special someone with a unique post expressing your gratitude. Challenge them to pay it forward by posting about someone else they are grateful for so love, appreciation, and gratitude are spread worldwide.

Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.

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