Gratitude and Appreciation Lecture Presentation

Gratitude and Appreciation Lecture Presentation

1. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Gratitude and
Appreciation

2. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Introduction
The Power of Gratitude and Appreciation
•Gratitude and appreciation are important in community life
and in community building because they bring us into positive
and direct relationship with ourselves and others.
•In this Tool Box section, we will define and explain how shared
gratitude and appreciation can enliven the process and the
effectiveness of building community.

3. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Defining Gratitude and Appreciation
Many of us use these words interchangeably. But there
is a useful distinction to be made between them.
•The Oxford Dictionary online defines gratitude as “the
quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation
for and to return kindness.”
•On the other hand, appreciation is defined as the
“recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of
someone or something.”

4. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
The Importance of Gratitude and
Appreciation in Community Building
Gratitude and appreciation are not daily demands.
They will not, by themselves, keep the lights on or get
the staff paid. Although gratitude and appreciation
may seem abstract and postponable, or even
dispensable, they are just as important in their own
way.

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Situations Favoring the Promotion of
Gratitude and Appreciation
•Recognition for the food we are about to eat
•Expressions of love to our families and people in our community
•Appreciation for relationships
•Appreciation for colleagues
•Celebrations for group or individual achievements
•Acknowledgment for acts of service
•Humility and appreciation for the challenges of unresolved situations
•Interest and appreciation for the mystery and mastery of how the world
and how our lives are unfolding

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How to Use Gratitude and
Appreciation in Community Building
The Cycle of Gratitude and Appreciation
•When people come to your program, welcome them!
•Recognize and appreciate their efforts and skills.
•Appreciate and be guided by the cultural dynamics of the community.
•Engage in both planned and spontaneous acts of appreciation.
•Do something innovative. Take a small risk in addressing a priority.
•Invite both planned and spontaneous feedback.
•Give thanks for the opportunities your program has enjoyed.
•Celebrate with awards or other kinds of recognition.

7. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Developing and Promoting
Gratitude and Appreciation
A variety of gratitude practices help people and groups to relax and open up
to each other, and let a group’s positive qualities shine through.
•Beginning with Oneself: Self-Care
•Cradling Work
•Heart-Centered Meditation
•Journaling
•Savoring
•Micro-Moments of Love and Connection
•Developing Gratitude and Appreciation in Groups
•Collective Expressions: Festivals and Celebrations

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Challenges, Issues, and Questions
Potential Pitfalls in Expressing Gratitude and Appreciation:
•Trying too hard to be grateful
•Focusing on feeling grateful for someone or something that isn’t worthy
•Using gratitude to avoid a serious problem
•Downplaying your own successes through excessive gratitude
•Mistaking gratitude for indebtedness
•Making sufficient space and time to build relationships
•Overemphasizing
•Sticking to the mission
•Being authentic

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Potential Pitfalls in Receiving
Gratitude and Appreciation
•Receiving praise can make people feel uncomfortable
•Receiving recognition can reduce objectivity
•Receiving acknowledgement can be a distraction
•The cultural context may not be understood

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Conclusion
It’s reassuring to note that during these times of deep social, economic, and
technological transition, we can draw upon the power of something as
accessible and portable as gratitude and appreciation.
We have tried to show how you, as a community builder, can draw upon and
utilize these powerful spiritual qualities to advance your own community
goals. What practices of gratitude or appreciation have been successful for
you? How might you share gratitude and appreciation in your own
community-building work? We encourage you to reflect upon and answer
these questions for yourself, and then take the next steps forward.

11. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas