By Pat Ingelse, Assistant Vice President, PMP

Gratitude… it seems like such a little thing, yet its impact is enormous. A simple “thank you” may be the one bright spot in someone’s really dark day. Think for a moment about the first taste of your favorite food — I bet you just smiled, didn’t you?

Being grateful for things in your life, no matter how large or small, makes such a difference both inward and in what we share. Studies have shown that gratitude provides a host of benefits, including a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and more and stronger feelings of optimism and happiness.

October’s Mindful Minute will be in multiple parts. Welcome to the Gratitude Challenge! Each issue of Shorelines will include six daily challenge prompts to help you identify some reasons to be grateful. Simply write down your responses (maybe in a journal or a special tablet). As the month progresses, take time to truly reflect on the things that are important to you, especially in these uncharted, challenging times. Realize there really are great things around you.

Let’s get started! Here are your prompts for the next six days:

• Day 1: Who is a person you are grateful for and why?
• Day 2: What is a place you are grateful for and why?
• Day 3: What is a food you really love? What special memories come up when you think of it?
• Day 4: What is an experience you treasure? What makes it special?
• Day 5: Who is a teacher who had a positive impact on you?
• Day 6: What skill are you grateful for? How are you using it?

More prompts next week — thanks for reading!