'Thanks'

As you know, I'm really interested in the effect saying thanks has on our relationships, our own wellbeing, our lives, and our world in general. With this in mind, this week I thought I'd set us all a creative gratitude exercise...

First think of someone who has done something special for you, either recently or in the past. It doesn't matter what it is, just that it's something you have benefited from and feel grateful for. If possible, try to pick someone who you've not said thanks to already. Even better if it will be a surprise for the person who you're thanking.

Create an artwork to give to them in gratitude for their gift to you. You could create it on the front of a card or you could make something bigger, it depends on the time you have in your week. Either is fine though, it's the gesture that matters.

Add some words of thanks, remind them of what they did, the way that you benefited from it, and how it made you feel.

Photograph or scan it to share with us before you send it on it's way. You might post it, or you might choose to make a special visit to deliver it to them in person.

Later, if you feel it's appropriate, tell us in a comment on your post how it was received by the person/ people you said thanks to and the impact that this act of gratitude had on you.