At assembly on Wednesday this week I spoke about a very familiar word  –  Gratitude.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines gratitude as the feeling of being grateful or thankful. Gratitude is something that we should be able to express on any occasion – no matter how big or small.

So what are you grateful for? I am grateful for my health, family, friends, colleagues and opportunities. Sometimes those opportunities may be viewed as challenges but nevertheless they are opportunities all the same.  Opportunities to see something differently, think differently and do something differently. This week I have had the opportunity to be grateful for being able to;

• vote freely in the NZ election last Saturday (and to celebrate the election of a past Carmel student, Barbara Edmonds –  as the MP for Mana)
• attend the first whole school assembly since August 11 while acknowledging that millions of school students around the world are still in or returning to lengthier lockdowns and school closures
• to attend the Mass again after so many months of lockdown
• to recognise student musical accomplishments on Monday night at the Music Showcase – the first live performance of 2020 for some of the performers and conductors
• to taste some of the delightful treats from the Faith Cafe
• to celebrate sporting successes at the Sports Awards on Tuesday evening
• to “pop in “ to a few classes around the school and see our students cheerfully engaging in their learning.
• the people around me who are offering their assistance and care.

And…. although I smile and say thank you each day (just as my mother taught me) I probably have not reflected sufficiently on the big things that I am thankful for. I am not quite sure how I am going to be more reflective. Some people keep a Gratitude Journal, others pray or meditate, I haven’t quite decided but I think it is a bit more than allocating time in my calendar.

I leave you with a challenge: Join me and reflect on one thing you are grateful for today and think about who you might tell and then …..tell them. Don’t procrastinate!

And last but not least, remember the words of that well known philosopher and talk show host, Oprah Winfrey –

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”