Two People on a Mission of Gratitude and Thankfulness Share Their Vision with the World

(Oxford, CT   – May 10, 2010) – In today’s economy many people are having a hard time trying to find things to be grateful for.  People are losing their jobs, losing their homes, and finding it difficult to pay their bills.

Dave Block, from www.mygratitudelife.com, was in this situation.  He was facing foreclosure and unemployment.  Instead of being part of the problem, Dave chose to take action and be part of the solution.

“I want to set an example for others to follow that will inspire people to have vision, purpose and faith.”  Block said.  “I want to encourage people to take action toward their own personal goals through cultivating a habit of gratitude.”

In 2009 Dave started the “Gratitude Tour.”  Dave and his “Grat Pack” embarked on this journey that included random acts of kindness and encouraging a community of gratitude making joyful contributions to society. 

The 2010 “Gratitude Tour” kicks off on May 13^th in Miami and will include stops in Orlando, Cocoa Beach,  Atlanta, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, NYC, and ending in New Haven, CT on May 21^st. 

Dave has used the power of social media to spread the word about his mission.  He and Deanna Collins, creator of the Gratitude Jewelry Collection and the Gratitude Circle (http://www.thegratitudecircle.net), connected this way. 

“I’m really excited to network with other individuals working to share the power of a life lived in gratitude,” Dave said.  “I am happy to be able to connect with people like Deanna along the way so I can also help support the work she is doing with the Gratitude Circle.”

“Gratitude and being appreciative is a concept that really resonates with millions of people right now,” Collins said. “People are growing tired of the gloom and doom scenario and are longing to connect in a more meaningful way.”

Research has shown that there are tremendous health benefits to living a life full of gratitude.  The Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness, conducted by Robert Emmons (University of California-Davis) and Michael McCullough (University of Miami) has shown that grateful people have higher levels of positive emotion, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lowers levels of depression and stress.

“It becomes really clear to see the incredible impact something as simple as a regular practice of gratitude and thankfulness can have on your well being.”  Collins noted.

Dave will be filming a video during the 2010 Gratitude Tour with the objective of showcasing the gratitude community of the world.  Block and Collins will connect when the 2010 Gratitude Tour makes its last stop in New Haven, CT on Friday, May 21^st.

Dave Block, aka “Dave, the Gratitude Guy” is an emerging entrepreneur on a mission to spread the message of the importance of having daily gratitude around the world. Dave developed the Gratitude Ball, which once held in your hand and squeezed is a powerful reinforcement tool.  It’s a gentle reminder to feel positive energy—putting you in the right state of mind immediately. He is also the creator of the Gratitude Tour, a way to embrace and share the feelings brought about by a life lived in Gratitude. Dave is filming a video during the 2010 Gratitude Tour that will showcase the Gratitude community to the world.  The main purpose of this tour is to be surrounded by positive people, learn from their experiences, inspire others, and make a needed contribution to society. Dave wants to show what people are doing to make a difference in their lives and the people around them. His vision is to educate people about the true value of Gratitude and how making this decision to be grateful is the key to opening the doors of happiness.  For more information, please visit www.mygratitudelife.com

Deanna Collins, a life coach and jewelry designer, founded the Gratitude Collection in 2007.  The Gratitude Circle, the online community for the Gratitude Collection, aims to become the premiere online resource for inspiration and merchandise that cultivate a positive outlook on life and create opportunities for people to share their personal stories of gratitude.  Deanna is proud to showcase Kazuri beads in the collection.  Kazuri, a fair trade organization, provides employment for several hundred needy people, especially women.  It has created a source of income for many women who would otherwise have had few options to provide for themselves and their families, including many women with disabilities, single mothers, and women widowed by the Aids epidemic that has swept through Africa. To learn more about the Gratitude Collection, visit www.thegratitudecircle.net.  For more information about Deanna go to www.deannacollins.com.

It is important to realize that expressing gratitude does not have to be complicated.

Gratitude simply expresses your appreciation and shows the respect you have for others so keep it simple.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant or cost money – just express it and you will reap the wave of benefits. It just feels good!

By focusing on an attitude of gratitude, you will truly feel the power of giving and receiving.

Here are Five Ways to Express Gratitude:

1.    Keep it simple. Instead of thinking about how best to express your thanks, just say it.  Tell the person “Thank you” or “I appreciate it” and let that be the end of it.  Gratitude is something that can be easily expressed just as long as it’s genuine.  Expressing gratitude is as important as anything else in your relationships because it builds trust and respect.

2.    Write a letter. Sometimes the best thing we can do is use the power of the written word to express our thanks.  Get a thank you card or a piece of stationary and write a letter. It’s one of the most personal ways of expressing gratitude nowadays, especially since few people take the time to write by hand.  Again, you can keep it simple by letting the person know that you appreciate them.  You can hand deliver the letter or drop it in the mail so it can be a nice surprise in between the stack of junk mail and bills.

3.    Give a gift. When someone does something nice for you, a nice way to express your appreciation is to give a small “thank you” present.  This doesn’t have to be anything costly or extravagant, just something that shows that you appreciate what they have done for you.  For instance, you might give a coffee lover a small gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop, or buy a chocolate lover a gourmet piece of chocolate. It’s a simple gesture that can go a long way.

4.    Return the favor. If someone has done something nice for you, a simple way to show your appreciation is to return the favor by giving your time.  For instance, if someone has helped you during a time of need, see how you can help them – Do they have a project around the house that they need some help on?  Do they have children? – Maybe you could babysit so they can have a night out?  Are they homebound?—Maybe you could run an errand for them?  This lets them know you appreciate them and what they have done for you.

5.    Tell others. In the presence of the person or people you wish to thank, share your gratitude with others.  Public forms of gratitude are important because it shows just how much you appreciate and care for others.

Gratitude is an important part of all relationships, so today, let go and simply say “Thank you!” to all those around you!

You may think that you already have a success-mindset, and perhaps you do.  However, you can always benefit from strengthening that attitude and therefore increasing your chances for the success you deserve.

Follow these strategies for improving your attitude for success:

1. Find your inspiration.  Discover what inspires you the most and use it to jumpstart your motivation whenever you go.  Feeling inspired enables you to maintain the drive necessary to find success.  Do anything you can within your power to find inspiration.

* Make a list of your ultimate dreams, and then ask yourself if you’re on the right path.  If you are, you’ll know that everything you’re doing will be rewarded.

* If you don’t feel like you’re on the right path, perhaps it’s time for a change.  Maybe there’s a deeper reason why you’ve felt a lack of motivation. Reflect on what this reason might be, and then decide on how you can renew your drive.  When you’re on the right journey, you’ll feel inspired!

2. Surround yourself with positive people.  (One of my favorites!)  When you’re around positive and inspiring people, you’re more likely to adopt those traits into your own personality and go for your goals with enthusiasm.  Negative people, on the other hand, tend to make you negative also.  Energy is contagious whether it’s positive or negative.

* If you must be around people that continually bring you down, do your best to avoid absorbing their negative energy by listening, but not taking the negativity to heart.

3. Jump right in.  The best way to improve your attitude might be to just jump right into life. Don’t be afraid to take initiative and plunge forward towards your goals.  People who take action find success.  If you take action and start to see the results of your efforts, your attitude will only improve. The action doesn’t have to be big – it just has to be something!  Remember, small steps are great ways to get moving.

* The increased drive and motivation you get from your actions can be the difference between success and failure.

4. Strengthen your focus.  Your focus can also play a role in your attitude.  When you are driven toward success, it’s easier to have an optimistic attitude. If you have a lack of focus and don’t know where you’re going, it leads to being unmotivated and uncaring.  You just seem to go in circles.

5. Allow for mistakes.  You’re only human and you will make mistakes from time to time.  Be careful to avoid judging yourself harshly when this happens, as it negatively affects your self-confidence.  If you work on more of a “go with the flow” attitude, you’ll find that you’re able to pick yourself back up and continue moving forward when you do make a mistake.

The main things to keep in mind are that the combination of inspiration, positive thoughts, and proper motivation can lead you to a healthy and positive attitude.  Follow these strategies daily and you’ll boost your attitude for success.

I’ve had an idea for a while to profile some of my customers who have really become raving fans of the Gratitude Collection.  They love Gratitude:  it’s beauty, it’s message, and it’s versatility.  They live and embody a life lived with Gratitude, a positive attitude and abundance.

I am really excited to introduce my first Gratitude Girl.

Her name is Dorothy and she is one of my bff’s and an integral part of my group of Gratitude Girls.  I often talk about surrounding yourself with people who really inspire and motivate you.  These people know how to lift you when you’re down and always find the silver lining – the gratitude, the lesson in everything to create a positive experience from a negative.  They are right there to cheer you on when things are good, too – Dorothy is one of these girls for me!

In honor of my bff and being a Gratitude Girl, I am also SO excited to introduce the first of several new pieces.  The newest bracelet in the Gratitude Artisan Collection is the “Dorothy.”

It is classy, sophisticated and stylish just like Dorothy.  You can probably guess from the color what Dorothy’s favorite color is, which is why I chose it for this beautiful piece.  It symbolizes class and style, gratitude and thankfulness, friendship and hope, love and understanding.

The beautiful center piece carved barrel bead, which is handmade and handpainted in Kenya (click here to read more about it) is handwrapped in shiny sterling silver wire and encased with beautiful swarovski crystals.  I also hand selected the clasp to reflect Dorothy’s heart and love that she embodies.

I hope you check out the Dorothy and please read on to learn more about the personality behind this beautiful piece…

1.  What is your favorite place to shop?

The Gap for clothing and Pottery Barn for my home – clean and simple.
2.  Do you have any style or beauty tips?

Wear sunscreen every day!  Even if it’s raining.  Buy and wear only clothing you love and feel fantastic in.   Toss it or give it away if it makes you feel otherwise.  Do it now.

3.  What is your dream vacation?

Canyon Ranch or Miraval Resort.  Please don’t make me choose.  They are both in Tucson.  Perhaps I can do both on the same vacation.

4.  What is your favorite quote?

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears however measured and far away.” – Henry David Thoreau

5.  What is your favorite food?

Eggs. No. Cheese.  Oh eggs *and* cheese.

6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?

Summer weekends at my Nana and Papa Ken’s house on Lake Hopatcong.

7.  What is your favorite holiday tradition?

A quiet celebration of Russian Christmas at home.  Just the 4 of us.

8.  What are you most grateful for?

The gift of my two children and their birth mothers.  Evidence to me every day that God did indeed have a wonderful plan for me.

9.  What is your favorite piece from the Gratitude Collection?

Eclectic necklace – black base with pewter bead charm.  And.  The Dorothy.  Of course.

I host Thanksgiving.  My husband and I love to have this wonderful holiday.  We truly enjoy preparing the meal together and eating and relaxing with my family.  Of course, it’s a great day to watch football, too – one of my favorite things to do.

She had an idea that I just LOVED! I wanted to share it with you.  Her idea was to have a bowl of river rocks that you can get at the craft store (big enough to write on)….or you could even have the kids hunt for rocks in the yard and clean them up.

As a great conversation starter, she suggested having each guest take a rock and write what they are grateful for on it (family, friends, health, etc…) with a sharpie marker.  These gratitude rocks can then be sprinkled across the table as beautiful reminders of all the gratitude being shared at the table.  Also, these cute little rocks can be used a place card holders for guests.

Libby had several other great ideas for the perfect Thanksgiving tablescape.  Click here to head on over to watch the segment for more great holiday table tips!