G and G Online Course

Introduction: The Twin Powers of Gratitude and Generosity

A warm welcome to this journey of transformation. Just as you discovered in “Embracing Change,” our ability to navigate life’s challenges depends greatly on our inner resources. Gratitude and generosity are two of the most powerful tools we possess—they’re like muscles that grow stronger with daily exercise. In these five short modules, you’ll discover how cultivating these twin practices can transform your outlook, deepen your relationships, and help you weather any “Life Quake” that comes your way. Each day requires just 10 minutes of your time, but the benefits will ripple through your entire life.

Module 1: The Observant Heart – Noticing What’s Already There

Story: Meet Sarah, who lost her job during an economic downturn. Initially overwhelmed by fear, she began a simple practice of writing down three good things each evening—the neighbour who brought cookies, the extra time with her daughter, the interview lead from an old colleague. This small ritual became her anchor during uncertainty, revealing a web of support she hadn’t fully noticed before.

Content:

• The neuroscience of negativity bias and how gratitude counteracts it
• Beginning your Gratitude Inventory: learning to spot the overlooked gifts
• The 3-2-1 Practice: Three things you see, two things you hear, one thing you feel
• How noticing precedes all meaningful change
• Daily practice: The 5-minute gratitude journal technique

Module 2: From Getting to Giving – The Paradox of Generosity

Story: Consider James, who volunteered at a food bank when feeling most financially squeezed himself. “I went thinking I had nothing to give,” he said, “but discovered I had everything needed—time, a listening ear, and hands willing to work.” What began as a distraction from his own troubles became the very thing that restored his sense of purpose and possibility.

Content:

• The “scarcity mindset” vs. “abundance perspective”
• Small acts that shift your brain chemistry and outlook
• Identifying your unique gifts (beyond money)
• The research on giving and happiness
• Daily practice: The stealth kindness experiment

Module 3: Gratitude in Difficult Times – Finding the Gold in the Dark

Story: Maya’s story of gratitude during her mother’s illness—how thanking the hospital staff, appreciating small improvements, and acknowledging her own strength became a form of rebellion against despair. “Gratitude didn’t change my mother’s prognosis,” she reflects, “but it changed me, and that changed everything about how we spent our remaining time together.”

Content:

• The difference between toxic positivity and genuine gratitude
• How acknowledgement of pain creates space for genuine gratitude
• Techniques for finding meaning during Life Quakes
• The science of post-traumatic growth
• Daily practice: The “Even This” reflection technique

Module 4: Generous Listening – The Gift of Your Attention

Story: The transformation of a troubled workplace when Director Michael implemented “No-Solution Thursdays”—where team members could share challenges without anyone rushing to fix them. “We discovered that often the greatest generosity wasn’t solving each other’s problems, but truly listening to them,” Michael observed as morale and productivity both improved dramatically.

Content:

• Why attention is today’s scarcest resource
• The three levels of listening and how to practice them
• How to become a sanctuary for others during their Life Quakes
• The unexpected benefits of being generously curious
• Daily practice: The sacred pause technique

Module 5: Building a Gratitude and Generosity Legacy

Story: Elena’s neighborhood “Gratitude Wall” started with just a chalkboard in her front yard where people could write what they appreciated. It evolved into community potlucks, a mutual aid network, and ultimately changed how residents related to each other. “The most remarkable thing,” Elena says, “is that it all began with simply naming what was already good.”

Content:

• Creating systems that sustain gratitude beyond feeling
• Contagious generosity: how your practices influence others
• Building communities of appreciation
• Integrating these practices into your everyday life
• Daily practice: The legacy letter exercise

Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Conclusion

Surviving Life’s Storms with Gratitude as a Compass – a Comprehensive and Powerful Course on Using Gratitude to Overcome Life’s Challenges