Sixth Class - SPHE 11th

This week, we are going to try something a little different. A song has been provided below, one which has a very strong and underlying message. The song is encouraging us to appreciate the small things, value what we have and be happy with whom and what we are. So, each day this week pick a time where you sit down in a comfortable environment and try to really listen and experience the lyrics of the song. In times of difficulty, this song might be a very useful tool to make you smile again, make you appreciate again and most definitely make you grateful again.

Jewel - Grateful - This week's song to work with, listen to, appreciate and use to build our gratitude and self-worth.

Journal Work

Before we speak about this week’s journal task, read the following quote from Anne Frank and try to appreciate the importance and power she grasped from journaling - “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” Anne Frank. What do we all think? A powerful quote indeed! It is hard to argue that writing, reflecting and journaling help us make thoughts clearer, ideas simpler and moments easier.

So, let’s get going. This week, the journal task is to create five goals early in the week that you would like to accomplish or achieve by the time the end of the week trickles in. These goals should be realistic, achievable and motivational.

Here are a few examples to get the thinking caps dusted down;

1. This week I would like to offer my school work a set period of time each morning.

2. I would like to help, support and offer my time to those in my family this week – cleaning, sorting and listening.

3. I would like to make contact with two friends and tell them that I am thinking about them and that I value their friendship.

4. This week I would like to offer myself some more ‘me time’. This could be allowing myself time to read, write, listen to music, doodle etc.

5. This week I would like to tell someone in my house how grateful I am for their help and support.

Expressing our Gratitude

This week the challenge for our gratitude focus is posed in a slightly different manner and direction. Instead of journaling about things, people, items, moments etc. we are grateful for, we are going to carry this out orally throughout the week, in a consistent and regular way.

Expressing your gratitude is both rewarding for you and the person who is on the receiving end. It can make you feel happy through speaking and noticing positive things, things we might sometimes take for granted. The person receiving your gratitude will see their confidence, mood and sense of self-esteem jump into great heights.

So this week show your appreciation to someone who did something nice to you or for you. Be consistent, make it a habit for the week and try to notice how it makes you feel and those receiving your kind words feel.

Here are some ways you might word your gratitude offering - "It was really kind of you to…" "It really helped me out when you…" "You did me a big favour when…" "Thank you for listening when…" "I really appreciated it when you taught me…" or "Thank you for being there when…."

This week, a new positive quote to live by, appreciate and work into our everyday lives!

"By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not already there"