At this time of year, in our classrooms and library story times, we usually begin discussing and exploring themes related to Thanksgiving – Friendship, Sharing, Family, Togetherness and Gratitude.
Gratitude can be hard to fully explain – especially to our little one’s who are two and under. But it can be modeled. And you don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving to do that!
Often, when I’m feeling down or in a bad mood I can’t seem to get out of – I make a Gratitude List. Sometimes it’s the last thing I feel like doing….but it ALWAYS helps. I might make a general Alphabetical Gratitude list, or simply listing the things I’m thankful for that day. I changes my focus and energy and the trajectory of my whole day.
That’s not to say we should ignore when we feel bad or sad or angry, or that bad moods are a bd thing. All feelings need to be honored and felt. But for me, it’s often hard to get out of the negative place once I’ve been there long enough. Practicing gratitude is a tool for learning to see the glass have full rather than half empty. What a great thing to teach! It falls in line with the meaning behind my album Every Day’s Your Birthday, and all of my work, which is: your attitude is up to you! You CAN live like every day’s a great day – it’s a choice to decide how to feel. One great way to change your mood is to start dancing and singing. And another – Gratitude!
So – that’s how this song from Sha Doo Be Doop got written. I was having a hard time writing, and needed to turn my mood around. Started writing a Gratitude list, and then thought “hey – let’s make THIS a song!’
Enjoy! I am so grateful for you, your kids and that we’ve connected. I’ll post the lyrics below, too, in case you want to sing along.
xoxo
Miss Nina
Grateful by Nina Stone (lyrics)
Verse:
Thank you for this day,
Thank you for a chance to play.
Thank you for my family.
Thank you for letting me be me.
Thank you for music and song,
Thank you for every sing along.
Thank you for poetry and art.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart….
Chorus:
I’m grateful la la la la la
Grateful la la la la la la la
Grateful la la la la
So grateful
Verse:
Thank you for electricity.
Thank you for every single tree.
Thank you for sunshine and for rain.
Thank you for helping me through pain.
Thank you for hugs and teddy bears.
Thank you for apples and pears.
Thank you for every piece of food.
Thanking you puts me in a good mood…..
Chorus:
I’m grateful la la la la la
Grateful la la la la la la la
Grateful la la la la
So grateful
repeat
Bridge:
Grateful to be here with you
Grateful for every thing you do
Grateful broken things to mend
Grateful for every single friend.
Chorus:
I’m grateful la la la la la
Grateful la la la la la la la
Grateful la la la la
So grateful
I’m grateful la la la la la
Grateful la la la la la la la
Grateful la la la la
So grateful
Grateful
I’m grateful la la la la la
La.
