Take the 10-Day Gratitude Challenge with Vivian’s Door
Take the 10-Day Gratitude Challenge with Vivian’s Door
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie.
Gratitude is more than just a feeling – it’s a practice that can transform your life, relationships, and community. At Vivian’s Door, we believe in the strength of the community and the power of thankfulness, so we’re excited to invite you to join our 10-Day Gratitude Challenge. This year, we’re doing things a little differently. We want to embark on a simple yet powerful daily practice that will help you build a habit of thankfulness and encourage a positive mindset. And the benefits? They extend far beyond just feeling suitable for a moment. Let’s dive into the challenge and discover how gratitude can truly enhance your life.
The Power of Gratitude
Before we get started, it’s important to remind ourselves why gratitude matters. Studies show that practicing gratitude can lead to many positive outcomes, from improving your mental health to strengthening your social bonds. According to research by psychologists Dr. Robert Emmons and Dr. Michael McCullough, people who practice gratitude regularly experience more positive emotions, sleep better, and have stronger immune systems. Gratitude has even been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, which can contribute to a longer, healthier life.
But that’s not all; in another study from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, people who kept a gratitude journal experienced fewer physical symptoms of illness, had more energy, and felt more content with their lives.
In addition, gratitude helps you focus on the good things in life, even during difficult times. It shifts your attention from what you lack to what you have, creating a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. And when you live on the grateful side of life, it’s easier to spread joy, kindness, and positivity to those around you.
What’s in this for you? A lot! According to Dr. Joe Dispenza, New York Times best-selling author, researcher, lecturer, and corporate consultant:
“We don’t need to win the race, the lottery, or the promotion before we experience the emotions of those events… we can create an emotion by thought alone. We can experience joy or gratitude ahead of the environment to such an extent that the body begins to believe that it is already “in” that event….; we can signal our genes to make new proteins to change our bodies to be ahead of the present environment.”
Come on this 10-day gratitude adventure with us, and you’ll see life with a fresh pair of eyes. Here is a brief peek at what to expect in the coming days! Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Day 1: Express Appreciation to Someone
Day 1 – we’d like you to take a moment to reflect on the people in your life—whether it’s a family member, friend, colleague, or mentor – who has supported you in some way this year. Reach out to them and tell them how much they mean to you. You can send a text, make a phone call, write a heartfelt letter, or even post a shout-out on social media. However, you express your gratitude, remember that these gestures will help deepen your relationships and spread positive energy.
Task: Tell someone how much you appreciate them today.
Why it’s important: Expressing appreciation strengthens relationships and fosters a sense of connection and positivity.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
— William Arthur Ward
To our team members, funders, supporters, and partners: Thank you for your hard work, passion, and dedication to uplifting our community. We see you, value you, and are so grateful for you!
Day 2: Start a Gratitude Journal
For Day 2, we focus on a different kind of journaling. Gratitude Journaling is a great way to make gratitude a daily habit. Take a few minutes daily to jot down a few things you’re thankful for. Whether it’s for your family, spouse, kids, the holidays, the morning sunlight, a good conversation, or simply having a roof over your head, acknowledging these small moments of joy can boost your mood and help you develop a more positive outlook on life.
You could take a few minutes at the start of your day to write out what you’re grateful for and go through your day with that conscious feeling of joy, or you could do it at the close of business.
Task: Write down three things you are grateful for today.
Why it’s important: Keeping a gratitude journal helps you focus on the positive aspects of life, which can improve mental well-being and happiness.
“Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” — Fred De Witt Van Amburgh, author and editor
Today, we’re reflecting on a few things we’re truly grateful for:
- Our Business Blueprint and Streetwise MBA Cohort Participants: Every small business owner participating in our program reminds us why we’re passionate about our work. Your testimonials and success stories fuel our mission and fill us with pride!
We are grateful for you all!
- Karen Ann, Founder of A Choice & A Chance
- Charnell Fletcher, CEO and founder of I AM MEI.
- Yolanda Young, Owner of Fearless Travel
Day 3: Act of Kindness
On the third day – we focus on kindness. When you spread kindness, it creates a ripple effect. So, we’d like you to think of a small gesture that can brighten someone’s day—a compliment, helping a neighbor with groceries, or even buying a coffee for the person behind you in line. Random acts of kindness make others feel good and leave you with a sense of fulfillment and connection.
Task: Do something kind for someone else today.
Why it’s important: Acts of kindness boost your mood and inspire others to pay it forward.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle…”
— A quote often attributed to Plato
Kindness can transform communities, and we witnessed it firsthand during our Holiday Food Giveaway! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community partner, Dotch’s Barber & Style, for helping us provide meals to families in need this holiday season!
Day 4: Reflect on Challenges
On the fourth day, we consider life’s challenges as avenues for learning valuable lessons. Take time today to think about a recent challenge and how it may have helped you grow. Gratitude for life’s hardships can help you see them as opportunities for self-improvement, building resilience and inner strength.
Task: Reflect on a recent challenge and identify any positive outcomes.
Why it’s important: Reflecting on challenges helps you recognize growth and resilience, turning difficulties into learning experiences.
“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” — Napoleon Hill
Every challenge we face holds a lesson. Farmer Calvin Foster is living proof of this.
Here at Vivian’s Door, we are proud to have helped farmers secure the funding they deserve through the DFAP settlement! Their hard work and dedication to the land deserve every opportunity to thrive.
Day 5: Do Something Nice for Someone Else
For Day Five – Kindness and gratitude often go hand in hand. Today, find an opportunity to lend a hand to someone in need. Whether offering a listening ear, giving advice, or simply being there for someone, acts of kindness foster a sense of community and help you feel more connected to the people around you.
Task: Perform an act of kindness for someone else.
Why it’s important: Helping others promotes feelings of compassion and empathy, reinforcing positive social connections.
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”
— Mark Twain.
Giving back is part of who we are at Vivian’s Door!
This past summer, our AG Club interns rolled up their sleeves and made a difference at a local food pantry! Their hard work and dedication helped support families in need and showed the power of community.
Day 6: Appreciate the Present Moment
On Day Six, we focus on being present. In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook the beauty of the present moment. Let’s pause—whether you’re enjoying a quiet cup of coffee or watching the sunset—and appreciate the here and now. Practicing mindfulness in this way helps reduce stress and increases your awareness of the good things happening in your life at this very moment.
Task: Take a moment to appreciate where you are right now.
Why it’s important: Mindfulness and appreciation of the present reduces stress and enhances well-being.
“Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.”
— Quote often attributed to Oprah Winfrey
Life is a collection of beautiful moments, and today, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the ones that bring us joy.
Here’s what some of our team members are appreciating today!
Day 7: Write a Letter to Your Future Self
On Day Seven, take some time to write down your hopes, dreams, and what you imagine your future self will be grateful for. Focusing on your aspirations can help you maintain a hopeful and forward-thinking mindset, which is key to staying motivated and positive.
Task: Write a letter to your future self about what you hope to be grateful for.
Why it’s important: Focusing on future gratitude helps set positive intentions and cultivates an optimistic mindset.
“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Our vision is bold, but our gratitude for the future is even more tremendous. At Vivian’s Door, we envision a thriving ecosystem of farmers, small businesses, and communities working hand-in-hand to achieve prosperity.
Our Vision
We believe in a future where opportunity knows no boundaries. Our vision is that one day, all businesses’ voices will be heard and respected, and they will have the capital, knowledge, resources, and support to grow, scale, and pour prosperity into their communities, creating equity for all.
Day 8: Appreciate Nature
On the ninth day, step outside today and take in the beauty around you. Whether it’s a walk through a local park or simply sitting under a tree, spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of calm. Use this time to reflect on the natural world and all the wonders it holds.
Task: Spend time in nature and appreciate its beauty.
Why it’s important: Connecting with nature can be grounding and refreshing, providing a sense of peace and enhancing your overall mood.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” —Rachel Carson
Today, we’re celebrating nature’s beauty and the peace it brings to our lives. Take a walk, snap a picture, or take a moment to breathe in gratitude for the world around you.
Day 9: Share Your Gratitude on Social Media
On the Eighth Day – Gratitude is contagious. Today, share a post about something or someone you’re grateful for on social media. Tag @Vivian’s Door and use the hashtag #ViviansGratitudeChallenge. Sharing your gratitude with others can help spread positivity and encourage those around you to adopt a similar mindset.
Task: Share something you are grateful for on social media.
Why it’s important: Publicly sharing gratitude can inspire others and create a positive community vibe, encouraging collective appreciation.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” —This quote aligns with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s gratitude themes
Here’s one of ours: We’re deeply grateful to AARP for their unwavering support of our Amazing CEO Janice Malone, Vivian’s Door, and all of the Purpose Prize Winners.
Winning the AARP Purpose Prize has brought many blessings and resources to Vivian’s Door, and we are forever grateful for this!
We are incredibly grateful for AARP’s time and effort crafting this fantastic video, which beautifully tells the story of our CEO and our mission.
Day 10: Donate to a Cause
For the final day of the challenge, consider donating to a cause that is meaningful to you. Whether it’s a local charity, a nonprofit organization like Vivian’s Door, or another group that resonates with your values, giving back is one of the most powerful ways to express gratitude.
Task: Donate to a cause that makes your heart grateful.
Why it’s important: Supporting a cause that resonates with you fosters a sense of purpose and connection, positively impacting the community.
“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. —Mother Theresa
Today, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic small businesses supported by Vivian’s Door. Every dollar donated helps entrepreneurs and farmers thrive in our community.
If you’re looking for a way to make a difference, consider donating to these businesses that make an impact daily. 100% of your donations will directly support their growth and success.
Let’s spread gratitude together.
Donate today and make a lasting difference. https://viviansdoor.com/donate/
Join Us on This Journey: We thank you in advance for coming on this journey with us. Each day, take a moment to reflect on the challenge and share your experiences on social media. Tag @Vivian’s Door and use the hashtag #ViviansGratitudeChallenge to connect with others and spread the spirit of gratitude.
By following this 10-day gratitude challenge, you’ll not only cultivate a habit of appreciation and positivity but also strengthen your connection to the people and community around you. Together, we can see the incredible difference a little gratitude can make. So, let’s embark on this journey of thankfulness with Vivian’s Door—one day, one act of gratitude at a time.
We leave you with the words often attributed to the great Maya Angelou “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Let’s make the people in our lives feel joy through our heartfelt thankfulness!
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