Connecting Community through Graditude

Gratitude in Practice

Studies show that grateful youth have higher GPAs; experience more positive emotions; and, ultimately, go on to live more meaningful lives. In addition, gratitude among middle school students can foster an increased sense of hope and trust in others and fuel a desire to give back to their community. Giacomo Bono, a professor at California State University, Fullerton, has been at the forefront of that research and believes that the benefits of gratitude can be realized across the K–12 pipeline. The most recent findings, presented by Bono and his colleagues at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, suggest that practicing gratitude at a young age promotes later development of self-control and self-regulation, which Bono says are resources for lifelong success.

Grade 5 students recently reflected on the many individuals and businesses that contribute so positively to making Whistler such a wonderful community and wrote thank you letters. In addition to honing their business writing skills, we hope that this simple task also helps create a community of grateful individuals. We wholeheartedly agree with this student’s letter to Creekbread Pizza in Whistler BC.
We, too, are so grateful for Creekbread’s ongoing fundraising support of Whistler’s not-for-profits.

Read more about Bono’s work here: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/giacomo_bono