Your Thankfulness Rubs Off on Others

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “Your Thoughtfulness Rubs Off on Others” by Linda Martin Andersen

 

 

 

Linda Martin Andersen. Copyright 2017.

I saw four turkeys in my backyard last week.  Oops, it’s turkey season.  I hope no hunters are reading this.  Turkeys, Thanksgiving, and giving thanks go together, but I’d like to encourage you to think of thankfulness all year long.  I’m convinced your thankfulness rubs off on others. 

What does the expression “rubs off on others” mean? Check here for clarification:  http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/rub-off

An example:  A bad mood can rub off on you, but so can a good one, especially when the person shares their thankfulness.

Recently, I spoke to an employee at the gym I attend.  When I asked her how she was doing she said, “I am thankful.” When I asked her to say more, she said she was thankful for every day.  Just hearing her thankfulness made me feel a little more joyful.  In other words, her thankfulness was rubbing off on me.  The next thing I know I was writing a blog post about thankfulness.

Another place I’ve observed thankfulness was on Facebook.  Yes, Facebook.   Someone who was sick posted pictures and updates about kind deeds received.  Two examples:  There was photo of a meal brought to the home and words of thanks.  There were also post updates giving thanks for errands run, a chore completed anonymously, and other acts of kindnesses.  These posts and photos could be seen by friends other than the person responsible.  Posting such thoughts on social media could cause thankfulness to rub off on even more people.  That’s pretty amazing!  I wonder if Facebook predicted this positive influence?   It’s another version of a thank you note and it’s one that many can read and comment on.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic of thankfulness.  If you’re a parent with children at home, I hope you’ll use this post as a springboard for family discussions.  If you’re an educator, brainstorm writing prompts or teach lessons on friendship and courtesy.

Here are a few sample writing prompts:

1.  Name a time when someone’s actions or attitude rubbed off on you.
2.  What examples of thankfulness have you seen today or within the last week?
3.  Name a special way you show your thankfulness.  Give a specific example of when you’ve done this.

I look forward to your comments!

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!

Let’s Get Our Priorities Straight

 

A Writer’s Playground–a place to find wordplay, writing prompts, reasons to celebrate, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart  “Let’s Get Our Priorities Straight” by Linda Martin Andersen

 

 

 

This week, I posted on Facebook that I intended to reduce my online presence.  I felt I was spending too much time there.  Shortly after that, I noticed a sticker on the front page of my day old newspaper.  A photo of the sticker is below.  This sticker is another  reminder of “getting our priorities straight.”  Saying that and doing that are two different things.

Sticker created by Army Community Services (ACS)

 

Create your own Writing Prompts or ideas for Family Discussions based on this subject:

Samples:

1. What does it mean to get your priorities straight?
2. What makes this poster/sticker an example of getting your priorities straight?
3. Who do you trust to help you get your priorities straight?  How can this person help?
4. How do you go about getting and keeping your priorities straight?
5.  Saying that you are going to get your priorities straight and actually so are two different things.  What does this statement mean?
6. What priorities do you need to evaluate or re-evaluate in your life?  Who can help you with this?
7. What are good ways to keep communication open in families or with friends?
8. What are some ways to practice safe communication?
9. Does your family have rules about texting, talking on the phone, etc?
10. What do you imagine the child in this photo might be thinking or feeling?  Do you think she will tell anyone?  Why or why not?

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Come again soon and bring a friend. Please leave a comment.  Remember that children 13 and under need an adult to comment for them.  For more fun, sign up to follow my blog.  Thank you!