SPARKing Gratitude and Interconnection: Highlights & Resources from Our Annual Community Gratitude Event
Celebrating moments of connection, shared gratitude, and resources to help you continue kindness and gratitude practices at home.
By Spark Kindness Team
Creating Community Connections That Last
We witnessed so many meaningful moments of connection at our 3rd Annual Gratitude Event, SPARKing Gratitude and Interconnection, taking place in December 2025. From shared reflections to heartfelt conversations, the event was a powerful reminder of how gratitude brings our community together. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated and helped create such a welcoming, inspiring space.
Below, you’ll find a collection of resources to support and extend your gratitude practices at home, along with ways to stay connected and engaged with our Spark Kindness community.
With care ~ The Spark Kindness Team
Making Gratitude A Habit
Check out this new resource compiled by the Spark Kindness team to help you continue practicing gratitude throughout the year. Includes book recommendations for all ages, easy ways to incorporate gratitude into everyday routines, and much more! View here.
Additional Resources
- Create a Gratitude Jar at Home! Click to view the simple steps here.
- Unsure of what to add to your Gratitude Jar? View ideas for inspiration here.
- Practice the art of gratitude note writing - to others AND yourself. View here.
Gratitude Matters
- For Children & Teens: Gratitude acts as a buffer—helping them cope with stress and reducing acting-out behaviors.
- Community Impact: Gratitude increases empathy and encourages “paying it forward,” strengthening schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces.
- Benefits Across the Lifespan: People of all ages experience higher happiness, life satisfaction, and resilience from gratitude.
- Gratitude helps us notice the good, feel connected, and build resilience during hard times.
The Power of Gratitude
- Simple practices (journaling, reflection, expressing thanks) improve mental health and reduce anxiety/depression.
- 15 minutes of gratitude daily for six weeks can calm the nervous system, improve sleep, and support heart health (from UCLA Health).
- Gratitude boosts dopamine and serotonin, reducing stress and lifting mood; it strengthens social bonds (from University of Rochester).
- Family impact: Parents who practice daily gratitude show better emotional well-being and healthier family functioning.
