GRATITUDE ROCKS
Often, teams are laser focused on driving results and do not create and hold space to connect as a team. There is always a need to reinforce the connective tissue of your team to drive effectiveness and enhance performance. Fundamentally, cohesive and connected teams have “vulnerability-based trust.” Enter Gratitude Rocks!
The Gratitude Rocks! program provides a safe space to increase vulnerability and build trust.
Beth creates a safe place and share tools around breathwork and mindfulness. Together we experience the power of gratitude. Each person holds the “gratitude” rock and is asked to think of something they are grateful for in that moment. This activity makes us present, encourages vulnerability and helps us shift to a positive mindset. Each person also chooses another rock with a different unique word and then is asked to share what comes up for them. How does this make them feel? What does it make them think about? From this simple practice individuals share courageously and we are often launched into amazing and memorable conversations. Ultimately, the group feels more connected and in community with their teammates/colleagues/friends.
PRACTITIONERS AT MMC:
Beth Mercurio
ORIGINS:
The Gratitude Rocks! program has its roots at our family’s kitchen table. Almost 10 years ago, my family was vacationing in Maine and visited a charming store that had a bowl full of small, ceramic pinch pots that we called stones. Now I call them “rocks” as the double meaning of Gratitude Rocks! is irresistible. Each rock had a different word on it with a slightly different feel and different color/style font for the word. I grabbed the “gratitude” rock first and said we will all do gratitude so this is our 5th rock – in addition each of us can choose our own personal rock.
At dinners we would pick out the “gratitude” rock and then turn the other rocks upside down. Each one of us would pick a rock and keep it to ourselves. When it was our turn we would pick up the “gratitude” rock and each share something we were grateful for and then share something around our personal rock (the rock that we chose or some would say the rock that chose us that day)!
As we added to our collection of rocks more people were able to join in. It has been beautiful to watch the growth and impact of our small family tradition. Now, when friends and family come over they ask to play Gratitude Rocks!
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