The main focus of Week of Gratitude is to cultivate gratitude for ourselves and the people around us! Gratitude helps us recognize the good things in our lives and feel more connected to what makes us happy. Practicing gratitude is a simple way to shift our focus from negative thoughts to positive ones, helping us feel more balanced and thankful for what we have.
Cross-Cultural Expressions of Gratitude Panel
Monday, February 10
3-4 p.m.
Virtual
A panel discussion exploring the diverse ways gratitude is expressed across cultures, highlighting the importance of understanding and appreciating cultural differences in communication and traditions.
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Gratitude Mile Fun Run
Tuesday, February 11
7-7:30 a.m.
Performing Arts Center Lawn
This mile run will start at 7 a.m. at the PAC Center. During the course runners will see quotes inspired by Joshua Becker’s book Things that Matter. There will be a Gratitude wall at the end of the race where runners/walkers can write inspiring messages.
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Keynote Speaker, Author Joshua Becker
Tuesday, February 11
10-11:15 a.m.
Agave 1240 or Virtual
Joshua Becker’s most recent book Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life was published in April 2022 and spent several weeks on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List—peaking at #1.
He considers it his most important book as it extends the principles of minimalism to help us overcome the most significant distractions surrounding us that keep us from meaning, fulfillment, and joy.This book and talk will help you identify the pursuits that matter most to you, recognize how distractions keep you from happiness, and embrace what you’re truly passionate about instead of planning that next escape.
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Gratitude Mile Fun Run
Wednesday, February 12
All Day
Williams Campus, Engel Lawn
This mile run will start at the Engel Lawn. There is no official start time. During the course runners will see quotes inspired by Joshua Becker’s book Things that Matter. There will be a Gratitude wall at the end of the race where runners/walkers can write inspiring.
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The Distraction of Fear, Gratitude in the Now
Wednesday, February 12
9-10 a.m.
Williams Campus, Higley Room or Virtual
Based on Joshua Becker's book, this lecture delves into the powerful influence of fear in our lives and how it often serves as a barrier to living a purposeful, minimalist existence. Fear, whether rooted in anxiety about the future, insecurity about our abilities, or a sense of inadequacy, can easily distract us from our true priorities and goals. By the end of this lecture, you will have a deeper understanding of how fear distracts and paralyzes, as well as a clear roadmap for how to break free from its grip and reclaim your focus, purpose, and clarity.
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Gratitude of Movement
Wednesday, February 12
10-10:30 a.m.
Performing Arts Center Lawn
For this event, fitness center supervisor, Corey Wick will lead a 15 minute cardio workout, connecting your body, mind, and heart through movement. Additionally, Faculty member Kelsy Martinez will guide you through a meditation focused on body awareness, breath, and visualization. You will engage in a series of stretches to offer gratitude to ourselves and each other.
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Outdoor / Nature Sensory Writing
Wednesday, February 12
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
ETC Garden
Join Dr. Kate Hope in the ETC (Environmental Technology Center) in the gardens on the north end of campus to engage in some Gratitude-in-Nature writing activities. It might be chilly, so dress appropriately. Be sure to bring a pen and a notebook to capture your writing!
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Gratitude of Nature
Thursday, February 13
10-11:15 a.m.
ETC Garden
During this presentation, Dr. Colleen Wilkowski and her ENG 101 students will provide a guided tour of the Environmental Tech Center (ETC). Additionally there will be a seed starting activity in which we will be focusing on gratitude for and from the earth. Being able to grow fruits and vegetables in this climate is not easy, and is a testament to ancestors' past who made this arid region a hotspot of agriculture. We will start seeds of plants that are in season and you can take them home and watch them flourish.This event is facilitated by Dr. Colleen Wilkowski and ETC manager Kendra Stanger.
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CommUNITY: Chandler Nature Center
Friday, February 14
8:30-11:15 a.m.
Off-Site
Projects would include creating a new trail around the project site, fence painting, and doing some landscape work on site like building raised boulder beds and planting permanent signage in the ground. LONG PANTS and CLOSED TOE SHOES are REQUIRED. Bring a water bottle.
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Reasons to practice gratitude:
- Gratitude reduces depression and anxiety and increases happiness.
- Gratitude improves physical health.
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
- Gratitude increases empathy and reduces aggression.
- Grateful people sleep better.
- Gratitude improves self-esteem.
- Gratitude fosters resilience.
Amy Morin. “7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude That Will Motivate to Give Thanks Year Round” Forbes, November 23, 2014.
These events are sponsored by Student Life & Leadership, Multi-Cultural & Co-Curricular Programs.
If you have any questions on how to participate as an individual (student or employee) or as a group (class or department) please reach out to multicultural.cocurricular@cgc.edu