20 ways to spark gratitude

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November 26, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I hope everyone had something delicious to eat and someone lovely to chat with. This is going to be a short edition, as I am currently rusticating in the Smoky Mountains, and I'm sure we all want to get back to the hard work of relaxing and digesting several big meals.

We always talk a lot about gratitude this time of year. Heck, we can't escape the idea. It's on tea towels, house signs, sweatshirts, even yard flags: Be grateful! Be thankful!

You know, sometimes it's not that easy! But I have learned that you don't always need to cultivate gratitude. Sometimes it just grows, like a wild thing, in the broken parts of our hearts.

I've put together some thought-provoking questions to help you on your journey of thankfulness. They could make great journaling prompts or kick off a nice evening of conversation. Or, if you're finding it hard to be thankful right now, maybe you'll find a little something that speaks to you.

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend. As always, we are thankful for you, our brilliant Good Stuff family.

– AJ

If there's something you'd like to see here, drop us a line. Know someone who could use a little Good Stuff? Send them a copy! We hope you love it as much as we do.

20 questions to spark gratitude

1. When was a time you were truly proud of yourself?

2. What is the nicest compliment someone has ever given you?

3. Has a stranger ever helped you out during a difficult time? What happened?

4. What is something you thought you could never do, but you proved yourself wrong?

5. Have you ever had plans go completely awry, but you had a great time anyway? How did you make the best of it?

6. What's the best sound in the world?

7. Describe the most comfortable bed you can imagine.

8. Has a piece of music ever moved you to tears? What was it?

9. What never fails to make you laugh?

10. What was your favorite gift you received as a child?

11. Who was your favorite neighbor?

12. Describe something someone has done that has made you feel truly loved.

13. What was the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen?

14. Have you ever had a negative impression of someone that changed once you got to know them?

15. Have you ever had someone at a restaurant, hotel, airport or other place of business go above and beyond for you? What did they do?

16. Describe a smell that brings back happy memories.

17. Describe something interesting you've learned from someone from another culture.

18. What daily convenience are you most thankful for?

19. What's an item with absolutely no monetary value that holds great meaning for you?

20. What was one of the best days of your life?

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Heroes among us

CNN has chosen the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2022! For the next few weeks, we'll be highlighting each of these incredible people who are using their unique skills and experiences to make the world a better place. Read all of their stories here.

Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, who started a restaurant in Los Angeles that brings comfort and community to local refugees. Flavors from Afar features an ever-changing menu that features dishes from the homeland of a refugee or immigrant chef. A daughter of Ethopian refugees herself, Hussein-Cattan's restaurant also provides resources and support. Read Meymuna's story here.

Nora El-Khouri Spencer, a licensed general contractor and social worker. Her nonprofit, Hope Renovations, offers a free program that provides women with the skills and certifications to find well-paying jobs in the construction trades. Trainees also work with a professional construction team making safety modifications to senior citizens' homes. Read Nora's story here.

Daily voting is now open to determine the CNN Hero of the Year, so cast your vote before the big reveal on Sunday, December 11th!

Hear, hear!

I had no thought of violets of late,
The wild, shy kind that spring beneath your feet
In wistful April days, when lovers mate
And wander through the fields in raptures sweet.
The thought of violets meant florists' shops,
And bows and pins, and perfumed papers fine;
And garish lights, and mincing little fops
And cabarets and songs, and deadening wine.
So far from sweet real things my thoughts had strayed,
I had forgot wide fields, and clear brown streams;
The perfect loveliness that God has made,—
Wild violets shy and Heaven-mounting dreams.
And now—unwittingly, you've made me dream
Of violets, and my soul's forgotten gleam.

- Sonnet, by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson

Rec of the week

Brought to you by CNN Underscored

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Shameless animal video

There's always time for cute animal videos. That time is now.

I'm not ashamed to say I have a prejudice against turkeys (mean, aggressive, imperious birds). But even I have to admit these baby turkeys are incredibly adorable. (Click here to view)