Bryce Cebula, marketing and communication manager
Each November, as the coach of the D.C. Everest Dance Team, I give my student athletes a weekly project that helps them express gratitude for and reflect on the many positive aspects of their lives. On Mondays, they are given a new prompt and are asked to write a short letter to either themselves or someone else, sharing how the prompt made them feel. I am always impressed by how thoughtful and vulnerable their responses are, and this November has been no different.
Feeling inspired, I decided it would be fun to bring this project to the Museum and have staff members participate. I asked, “what are you grateful for this year?”
I’ll start. I am always grateful for my family and friends, and for our good health. I am also grateful that I have a job that I love and get to work alongside other creative minds every day. Lastly, and on a more specific note, I am grateful for the sunsets that follow storms. They always seem to have the most beautiful orange glow that fills the entire sky.
Here’s some responses from Museum staff:
I am grateful for reconnecting with music. Finding the joy of creating it within myself again, whether that be composing or just playing for myself. I am also grateful for finding a community of folks with whom I can be vulnerable and authentic with.
I am grateful for the ability to spend quality time with my family, despite the distance between all of us!
I am grateful for my dog. . . most days.
I am grateful for all the fresh produce I have brought into my home from local farms and grown in my garden and all the great meals and snacks I have created from this year’s harvest.
I am grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and discovering new things. It keeps my mind engaged and curious about the world around me.
I am grateful for the little things. Fine point ballpoint pens, freshly steeped green tea, weather warm enough to drive with the car window down.
I am grateful for time spent with loved ones and being able to share experiences with them.
I am most grateful for trees and for the ability to enjoy them daily. In a world that rarely stops moving, standing among the trees has given me a grounding solace and lots of inspiration. I feel very fortunate to live in a place where I can watch the landscape transition 4 times a year.
I’m grateful for the health and happiness of my family, great coworkers, and a Brewers World Series win!
I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to do their own “gratitude project” this November. For me, this once-yearly activity has turned into a daily practice, and it has left me feeling more grounded than ever. In a season where life moves fast and there’s lots of noise, creating space and time to reflect on your values and personal growth is beneficial to both your physical and mental health.
So, what are you grateful for this year?
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