This simple activity is considered one of the most powerful positive interventions by leading positive psychology scientists around the world. Creating a Gratitude Letter will have an immediate impact on enhancing your personal well-being AND the well-being of the person you are expressing feelings of gratitude towards.
Keep it simple. Just get started. Here’s a suggested opening you can use (or write your own words). Dear (Person’s name): I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you. It might be surprising to get a Gratitude Letter out of the blue but I wanted to tell you why I am grateful to you.
Then just list a couple of things for which you are grateful. Give specific examples if you can since this makes it more powerful.
Expand the joy.
If you want to get the MOST benefits from this positive exercise…. It’s even more powerful when the person writing the gratitude letter gets to read the letter to the person receiving the gratitude letter. If you can’t do this in person, perhaps you can read it to them over a video chat or the phone. Or you can mail the letter.
Here is an example that a Soaringwords supporter sent to us.
Dear Hannah,
I know I don’t say this as much as I should, but I just wanted to take the time to thank you. When I was dealing with my chronic pain at its worst a year ago, I really felt like I could count on you. It didn’t matter that you didn’t always know what to say. The fact that you were trying and you were there for me — it meant everything to me. I remember on my birthday, you stopped by to give me a cupcake and a card. I have that card hanging up in my bedroom now, as you might have seen. It was a small touch that showed your endless compassion and empathy. I am so grateful for your friendship. Also, thanks for letting me text you whenever I wake up in the middle of the night from pain. I know you love your sleep! See, you make sacrifices for the people you love. That’s something I want to pay forward to you and other friends because you make me feel so loved. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
When children and teens are ill, they experience many different feelings that are hard to express. Digging Deep: A Journal for Young People Facing Health Challenges, is an exercise journal created by Rose Offner, MFA and Sheri Brisson, MA to empower children and teens with medical conditions to build resilience through their challenge. You can download the individual journaling worksheets here in English or Spanish. Subjects include: Circle of Support, Treatment and Hospitals, My Life, Moving On, Identity and Self-Esteem, Feeling Exploration.
Click here to download different theme pages and to start writing your unique journal.
Idioms are expressions that use nature or animals or common actions to make a point in a fun and dramatic way. When something comes easy to you without too much effort you might say, “it was a piece of cake” meaning that it was simple. If someone says “a penny for your thoughts” they want to know what you are thinking.
Choose an idiom below or think of your favorite expression to make a message and artwork to give to your nurse, someone in your family, or another hospitalized child. Your gift will “Make someone’s heart sing!” which means it will make them feel really happy (and make you feel great as well).
Choose an expression or think of your own: At the drop of a hat: without hesitation, right away Ball is in your court: it’s up to you to make the next decision Best thing since sliced bread:a great idea or invention Can’t judge a book by its cover: cannot judge based on appearances On the ball:when someone understands the situation well Once in a blue moon: when something happens rarely Raining cats and dogs:heavy rain See eye to eye: when two or more people agree on something Sitting on the fence:when someone does not want to choose or make a decision Take it with a grain of salt:not taking something too seriously To hear it straight from the horse’s mouth:right from the source
Here’s How to Get Started:
1) Pick your expression and write it on the blank line at the top of the border. 2) Think of the best way to illustrate it, fill the whole page with your drawing. 3) Sign your name on the bottom and share what you made with the others in the room. 4) “Pay it Forward” – give your special message and artwork to someone else. Go to Soaringwords.org to make more and invite your family to make a SoaringExpression message for you!
When you love someone or something it makes you feel really happy so your heart expands with joy. Many different cultures have LOVE symbols to communicate this powerful positive feeling.
Native Americans consider the Hummingbird to be a symbol of love
Chinese people think the Maple Leaf shows the sweetness of love
In Norway and Iceland, the Harp symbolizes love
Hinduism and Roman Mythology consider the Shell to be a love symbol
American Sign Language has the “I Love You” sign, which is depicted in the artwork on the left.
Today you are invited to make a special SoaringLove message and artwork to give to another patient to brighten his or her day. If you want, you can surprise someone in your family or your doctor or nurse by making your SoaringLove message just for them.
Here’s How to Get Started:
Think of things you love that make you happy. It could be your favorite stuffed animal or your pet or your favorite toy or anything that puts a smile on your face.
Draw a picture of this to “give” to another person.
Make a special message on the bottom of the page that completes this sentence “I drew this picture for you of a ______________. I am sending this to you with lots of Love!”
Write your first name and age on the bottom of the page.
Pointers: Do make your picture really big. Fill the entire page with your picture and message. Do make your picture really bright and colorful.
After You Finish Your SoaringLove Message: Give it to someone special like your mom, dad, brother or sister, friend, nurse, doctor or another child in the hospital.
Click here to download the activity and the border.
1. Choose what kind of Constellation you want to make today: a. Animal-shaped b. Object-shaped c. People-shaped d. Invent your own Constellation
2. Write the name of your Constellation on the top of the page and then draw your SoaringConstellation within SoaringConstellations border, using lots of colors.
3. Fill in the bottom lines with a message for a special person. When you are done, share this finished artwork with the person you chose.
Pointers: Do make your picture really big. Fill the entire page with your picture and message. Do make your picture really bright and colorful. Do have fun!
There’s nothing more comforting than a soft, fluffy quilt and pillow. When kids are ill at home or in the hospital, they have to hang out in bed for a long time. You can help transform a child’s bed by adding a cozy, colorful quilt and pillow decorated with special messages and artwork. Your gift will help a child feel loved and supported and inspire them to heal. Imagine how much they will enjoy looking at all the different drawings and messages you created. This project is especially exciting because each person can decorate a quilt and pillow in their own unique way. For example, some people will pick a theme for the quilt and decorate all the patches with words or pictures about sports or nature. Other people have chosen the words from a nursery rhyme and illustrated it. To see photo gallery of the quilts and pillows click here. To get started watch the video or you can just read decorating instructions below. When you are finished decorating your quilt and pillow you can make a special SoaringBed message to tuck into your pillow pocket.
How to Decorate the Quilts and Pillows: 1. Read the Do’s and Don’ts below. 2. Use a piece of scrap paper to decide what you want to draw and write. 3. Fill up the whole white patch with your colorful drawing. 4. If you have a heart shaped pillow, use dark colors to decorate the front and the back of the pillow. 5. Make sure to include your name (first name is fine) on the bottom of your drawing.
Great Things to Say:
Thinking of You
You are a Star
To Brighten Your Day
Here’s a Big Smile for You
Hurray for You!
Hip Hip Hurray!
Awesome!
Excellent!
You’re Important
Sending You a ___________(name the thing you drew. It can be a rainbow, a panda, a poem, etc.)
Sending You Healing Energy
Sending You Love
Sending You a Giant Hug
Sending You a Joke (you can write a joke…Corny, easy to understand ones are the best)
Or, write your own message
Great Ideas for Artwork:
Space theme with planets
Animals (dogs, fish, pandas, ladybugs and other animals)
Nature (rainbow, sun, trees, flowers, beach, mountains, clouds)
Sports (basketball, baseball, hockey, football)
Popular figures (Sponge Bob, The Simpsons, Superheroes)
Words in bubble letters like COOL, LOVE
Great Theme Suggestions: • That 70s Quilt and Pillow • Lost at the Zoo • Why did the Chicken Cross the Road and Other Funny Business • Hope You Love my Stick Figures •My work should be in the Metropolitan Museum of Art • NASA would be proud of my artwork • Under the sea
Things NOT to Say:
Hope you get better soon
Get better soon
Get well soon
Hope you can go home soon
Hope you are not in pain
Don’t say anything religious like “God loves you…” or draw angels, since the patient may be from another religious background.
After You Decorate: You can give your special quilt and pillow to someone who is ill. Or, you can contact Soaringwords and we will collaborate with you have the quits and pillows donated to your local hospital. 917-499-3783 heal@soaringwords.org
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This simple activity is considered one of the most powerful positive interventions by leading positive psychology scientists around the world. Creating a Gratitude Letter will have an immediate impact on enhancing your personal well-being AND the well-being of the person you are expressing feelings of gratitude towards.
n children and teens are ill, they experience many different feelings that are hard to express. 
Idioms are expressions that use nature or animals or common actions to make a point in a fun and dramatic way. When something comes easy to you without too much effort you might say, “it was a piece of cake” meaning that it was simple. If someone says “a penny for your thoughts” they want to know what you are thinking.
At the drop of a hat:
Here’s How to Get Started:
t Started:
