11/26/2025
Gratitude and hope are much more than good feelings, and they work together in powerful ways! Studies show that both gratitude and hope strengthen our mental health, physical health, relationships, and outcomes in work, school, and goal achievement.
So how do they work together? Hope is a mindset and science made of three parts: clear goals, multiple pathways to reach them, and the willpower (agency) to keep going. Gratitude helps fuel the “pathways” and “willpower” parts of hope. When you feel grateful, you experience more positive emotions and perspective, which makes goal-setting and problem-solving easier. Practicing gratitude makes setbacks less crushing and keeps you engaged with your goals.
3 Easy Ways to Build Gratitude & Grow Hope
Nightly “One Good Thing”: At dinner or bedtime, take turns sharing one good thing that happened and one small goal for tomorrow. This helps us link gratitude (what went well) to goal-setting (what’s next).
Gratitude & Goal Jar: Each week, family members add a little note with one gratitude (who helped you? what are you thankful for?) and one tiny action toward a family goal (e.g., “help clear the table” or “practice piano 10 min”). Read the notes together each Sunday to celebrate progress and practice gratitude.
Model & Narrate: Look for opportunities to talk to your kids about how gratitude helps you, like: “I’m grateful for that call from a friend. It gave me a boost and encouraged me to try _____ this week.”
Remember: When we make small, repeatable gratitude practices part of our daily lives, we don’t just feel better. We become more hopeful, more resilient, and better able to reach the goals that matter to us!
