20 Questions for Thanksgiving
DailyGood
BY KAREN HORNEFFER-GINTER
Nov 22, 2012

2 minute read

 

It can be challenging to create rich and meaningful family conversations about gratitude. I know I’ve felt disappointed when my “What do you feel thankful for?” questions are met with quick, predictable responses that bring the conversation to a close soon after it’s begun. This Thanksgiving season, I’m taking a different approach by coming up with 20 gratitude questions to help enliven our sharing.

Feel free to borrow these or come up with your own.  You can even copy the questions onto small pieces of paper and invite family members to each choose one for everyone to answer.

May these questions help to spark the spirit of Thanksgiving! 

1) What teacher are you most thankful for and why?  What did you learn from him or her?

2) What’s the season you’re most thankful for, and what’s your favorite part of each season?

3) What electronic device are you most grateful for, and what does it add to your life?

4) What musician or type of music are you most thankful for?

5) What are you most grateful for that brings beauty to your daily life?

6) What form of exercise or physical activity are you most thankful for?

7) What foods are you most thankful for?

8) What local store or restaurant are you most grateful for?  How does it contribute to your quality of life?

9) What book are you most grateful for, and why?

10) What act of kindness has made the greatest difference in your life?

11) What challenging experience has ended up changing your life for the better?

12) What form of art are you most thankful for: music, acting, writing, painting, drawing . . . something else?

13) What place do you feel most grateful for and why?

14) Name three days in your life that you feel especially grateful for.

15) What color do you feel most thankful for—is there a color that you can’t imagine living without?

16) Is there a personal limitation or flaw that you’ve come to appreciate?

17) What vacation are you most grateful for?

18) What philanthropic cause or organization do you feel thankful for?

19) What product do you use on a daily basis that you most appreciate?

20) What, from this year, do you feel most grateful for?

 

This article has been published with permission. Karen Horneffer Ginter is co-founder of the Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness and the author of 'Full Cup, Thirsty Spirit: Nourishing the Soul When Life’s Just Too Much'.

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