The Role of Gratitude in Family Storytelling
‘Tis the Season of Gratitude
This probably sounds cliché, but I find it hard to believe that it’s already November—where has the time gone?!
The feeling really hit home last weekend as I sat with my calendar and started to pencil in all the family gatherings and neighbourhood get-togethers scheduled through the end of the year.
Of course, I’m hosting a couple of my own. As the well-known Harvard Study on Adult Development has determined, the most important measure of happiness is the quality of our relationships and our connection to the people we love most. And one of the ways I hope to foster those connections is by inviting our neighbours into our home for an afternoon piano recital.
Let me ask you this: what if, as you plan out your holiday calendar for the rest of the year, you do so with intention? Consider the types of conversations you’d like to have and with whom you would like to have them, as you plan and prepare for each event.
Gratitude as a Bridge Between Generations
But let’s not stop there. See if you can take it one step further. For example, I’m guessing that we all have at least one family member with whom we struggle to relate.
This year, instead of continuing the same cycle—whether it's avoidance, frustration, or misunderstanding—try approaching them with curiosity and a spirit of gratitude. It may not fix your relationship with them, but it can help to create a bridge for better understanding and communication in the future. When we lead with curiosity and gratitude, it gives us the space to acknowledge their priorities, challenges, and life experiences.
How Gratitude Can Spark Storytelling
If you’re unsure how to lead with curiosity, try asking your family members questions that will encourage them to express gratitude.
For example:
“Who in your life has taught you something you’ve never forgotten? What was it?”
“What’s one challenge you’re now thankful you went through and why?”
The beautiful thing about gratitude is that it often leads to storytelling—and storytelling is how families stay connected long after the holidays are over.
When you ask someone what they’re grateful for, you’re really asking them to share the experiences that shaped them, the lessons they’ve learned, and the moments that mattered most. Those stories are the heart of every family legacy.
As you move through this busy season, remember that gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s an invitation to listen, connect, and truly understand the people you love most.