Practicing gratitude: what are you grateful for today?

Gratitude is appreciating all the things that you have in your life and this in turn can boost your mood and give you a more positive mindset and outlook. Practicing gratitude can be done anytime, anywhere and there is no better time to do it, than now.

In all our Ladder programs, we practice gratitude with our young people in a group-based setting. Each participant receives a football, and we encourage them to write down what they are thankful for. This could be in the form of key words, sentences or pictures.

Many of our participants express their appreciation for the support, effort and growth that they experience within the group. Whether it’s acknowledging the other participants, their Ladder Development Coaches or their own progress, this reflection encourages them to focus on the positives and reinforces a sense of unity and shared purpose.

The practice of writing grateful thoughts on footballs also serves as a visual reminder for ongoing reflection. These footballs, decorated with messages of gratitude, provide participants with something tangible to revisit throughout the program.

As they look at their written thoughts, they are reminded of what they’ve learned, what they appreciate about their teammates, and the personal growth they’ve achieved. This reflective process helps individuals stay motivated, develop resilience, and maintain a sense of appreciation for the journey, making gratitude an integral part of their collective experience and personal development.

What are you grateful for today?