The Wonderful Awesome Ripple Effect Gratitude Creates is Joy

On my desk there’s a box of stones.

To me they are special.

There is a word inscribed on each that says simply:

GRATITUDE

The rocks are different sizes and shapes. Some are engraved with silver letters, some with gold. One batch came engraved on both sides. Over the last few years, I have given away more than a thousand of these little treasures to people I encounter every day, from crossing guards to police officers, from flight attendants to cashiers at the grocery store. Anyone I come across who I think needs a little thank you and encouragement receives a gratitude stone.

I used to just pass out the stones and say, I hope this rock brings you good luck. I must admit that sometimes the people seemed a little puzzled by the gift. Eventually a story evolved, and I changed the ritual.

Now I say this each time I gift a stone:

“This stone says gratitude. And today I am grateful to you for … (I explain why). Do you know why I chose a stone? What happens when you toss a stone into a pond? That’s right, the water ripples; just like gratitude. Today you made me smile and I appreciate you. Tomorrow you will be grateful to someone else, and the ripples will continue.”

Then their eyes light up and smiles break out and it is a wonderful moment. I might have just gifted them a gold coin or something much more precious than a simple stone. A random act of kindness goes a long way.

I am a big fan of tokens and rituals. The token of carrying a small stone in my pocket is an easy ritual that reminds me of my many blessings and all the things for which I should be grateful for.

Now, I often get stories from the people who have received these little treasures. I have a dear friend in the UK who says every morning he makes sure he has his phone, his wallet, and his gratitude stone I gifted him. He doesn’t leave home without it. He told me that when he was going through a particularly tough time with his business, he would grip that stone tightly and tell himself that everything was going to be all right, that he had so much to be grateful for in his life. I love that story. That is the ripple effect of gratitude.

I was recently in Las Vegas for a conference and met a lovely woman who was scheduled to give a speech the next day. She was very nervous because she had never spoken in front of a crowd that large. I coached her with a few tips on public speaking and then gifted her a stone. She kept it with her during her speech and told me that she “CRUSHED IT!”

She even sent me a photo. How fun. More ripples.

Another story that touched my heart was a note I got from a new friend whom I had sent a stone. He told me that he went to the funeral of his father-in-law, and in the Jewish tradition, he brought the stone to place on the headstone. When he

realized his father-in-law's son didn’t have a stone of his own. He showed him the gratitude stone and asked if he would like to place it on the grave. He sent me this photo.

Ripples again.

Over the Independence holiday our niece’s little girl, Harper, made a little puppy toy and named him “Gratitude.” I asked if she would like a stone to go with her little friend. She said yes, and now she knows the story of how gratitude gets passed along. She is the next generation of gratitude, and I think that is wonderful.

Who are you grateful for in your life? Have you shared your gratitude lately with someone you love or even a perfect stranger?

I promise that goodness will ripple in ways you can’t imagine. You have countless thanks to give; and it will warm your heart, and the hearts of the people you have helped along the way with a simple act of gratitude.

The world needs more kindness. I hope you will join this growing group of good people who are helping ripple gratitude all over the world. As for me, I am grateful for you and the time you take to read and share the stories I share. Thank you!

Love + gratitude,

ANXIETY AT WORK PODCAST

Each week, my co-author and dear friend,?Adrian Gostick, and I get to talk to leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension and cultivate calm.?

Key Highlights??:

??John's transformative gratitude walks that helped him conquer his struggles.

??Positivity isn't about denying reality, it's about crafting a better one with optimism, faith, and belief.

????Unraveling the 'Five D's' - doubt, distort, discourage, distract, divide - that hinder our peace.

Our guest is?Jon Gordon, bestselling author and keynote speaker. Jon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His books include The Seed, The Garden, Stick Together, The Power of Positive Leadership, and the timeless classic, The Energy Bus with over 2 million copies sold.

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