Gratitude Is a Funny Thing by Kathy Walsh is a fun and colorful book aim at explaining the concept of Gratitude to Pre-schoolers.
The 28 page book gives a young child an insight on what gratitude is. They are given explanations on what gratitude means and how they can experience and pass it on to others.
In the book Gratitude is liken to singing. It is something that can be felt in various degrees of intensity. It sings louder if you spread it out. It is something to be shared with others which will find it’s way back to you.
My thoughts
I read this book together with my four year old. She really enjoyed looking at the graphics while reading through the pages. It gave her a clearer understanding of the message which the Kathy was trying to convey through the story. The bright colors used in the pictures and child-like drawing also helped capture her attention while reading through the book.
The impact of positivity on a person’s outlook of life and how it has helped to turn their lives around are mentioned throughout the ten chapters of the book.
Gratitude is habit-forming. It doesn’t happen overnight and when it does exist you would find that you are more at peace with yourself and change the lens which you view the world.
Giving thanks for all that happens- good or bad- strengthens your relationship with the spirit and how spiritual prosperity manifests itself in the world.
Lesowitz and Sammons portray how the ordinary person is able to live a full and fruitful life despite having to suffer from various worldly ailments and personal hardships if they have gratitude in their lives.
Despite the physical and emotional pain that the people in the stories were experiencing they managed to follow their heart’s desires and passions. Even though they were suffering they were able to reach out and help others in need.
In one of the stories a family lost almost everything that they had in a flood and were really touched when the community reached out to them and helped them rebuild their home. Their neighbours and friends opened out their house to them and strangers donated both their time and money to their rebuilding efforts. It was a really show of caring and generosity for the responders who were really grateful for the help of others during their time of hardship.
My thoughts
I found the stories in the book extremely inspirational. It is not easy for one to be appreciative about the things that they have in life. It may seem that someone else is getting a better deal than you have or more fortunate then you.
Comparison only leads to bitterness and negativity. However once you start to realize that there are many blessings that you have in your life and start to show gratitude for what you have your outlook of live will change for the better.
With gratitude one will be able to pull through the difficult times in life like the women in all the examples given in the book. The positivity that they radiate gave them the energy to see them through all the trials and tribulations that they face.
Being positive also made it easier for them to go through and recover from trauma. Having appreciation in your heart also makes one more at peace and also increases the level of happiness felt on a daily basis. It’s certainly a great approach to life to adopt.
If you are looking to learn how to be happy and contented this is certainly the book to read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a compensation level of 3. Please visit Dominique’s Disclosure page for more information.
by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons is a book filled with stories and testimonials on how gratitude has changed ones life.