Oh Canada: World Gratitude Day September 21
photo credit: The Calgary Herald
Oh Canada… from the Bow Valley to all of our families and friends, neighbours and relations, local, regional, national and international!
On Friday September 21, 2026, I had the distinct honour of being at The Banff Centre when the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada greeted our group on his casual walk-about. I had been invited to put on something red, wave a sign and enthusiastically declare my pride for being Canadian. Easy, and show up, say hello and lucky me! Our group also broke into a spontaneous chorus of “O Canada” mostly in unison, some singing descant, some singing off key, but each one of us knew all the words as the song filled our chests with pride.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien stood at a podium in Gander, Newfoundland, addressing a room filled with Canadians and Americans who were remembering the events that had taken place in Gander, 25 years earlier, the pivotal day we call: 9-1-1. M. Chrétien declared,
Yes, Canada is a generous, open country, and Canadians are tolerant and kind. But never mistake our generosity for weakness. Never, never mistake our tolerance for lack of determination. And never, never, mistake our kindness for softness”.
At moments like these, the science advises, I am enjoying a moment of “moral elevation”. When we witness kindness or hear expressions of genuine appreciation, we feel a pleasant, warm feeling rise in our chests. When our leaders inspire us with words that are genuinely human, when we sing our national anthem in unison, we can feel more optimistic about our place in the world. When our leaders speak on the world stage with humility, dignity and empathy, Canadians are demonstrating that we are trustworthy and that we are strong.
Thirty-nine years ago, in 1977, the United Nations named September 21 as World Gratitude Day.
The rationale for naming a World Day of Gratitude? To highlight gratitude as a mindset for fostering international harmony.
If you ask me, taking a moment to celebrate World Gratitude Day on September 21, 2026 is an opportune moment to recommit to gratitude as a character strength, a life skill, a staff retention strategy, a conversation starter and an intentional mindset that we, as Canadians understand. Kindness. Tolerance. Generosity. Determination — as character strengths. Our Grit is grounded in Gratitude.
Savouring our reasons to be grateful, as the data reveals, requires at least 12 – 20 seconds of conscious intention. When we pause to let the good times settle, we are hard wiring our brains with positivity. This has many health benefits, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational. Without the pause, negative experiences are encoded almost immediately and the good stuff flows through the brain, like water through a sieve. Without gratitude in our lives, we are left feeling resentful, grumpy, lonely, and disconnected. Hence, my encouragement to stop, look, listen, breathe, and remember to pause.
Gratitude, generosity, kindness are leadership skills, and character strengths. There is science to support the argument that supports the “strength in kindness” statement. When we look around and deliberately consider the evidence that there is good leadership to be found, we can take note, find inspiration and enjoy a gentle moment of moral elevation.
Ideas for Planning your Gratitudes for Q 4 of 2026:
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- Put a jar on the corner of a desk with an invitation to put a glimmer in the jar. Put a stack of paper, a pen and encourage people to date the page and write a note: “What’s going well? Who did something that made you smile? Got a joke to share?”
- Start on September 21 and set the date for Thanksgiving and The Grand Reveal: Three weeks of intentional glimmer growing.
- On September 21, start making a list of people, customers, friends, suppliers, mentors or family who helped you get something done.
- Thank you notes to people who have helped you with a recent challenge. A “You saved my bacon” kind of thank-you. Heartfelt, authentic and even better? Write it by hand and
- Invite a friend to coffee to hand deliver a thank you note. If you are really brave? Read it aloud to them, in person.
- Gifts: Deliver some baked goodies or a morning coffee or a gift card to someone “just because”. You could start planning now in order to deliver on Giving Tuesday — December 1, 2026, knowing that “no act of generosity is too small.”
- Gift of Time — call someone and just have a chat. No reason, other than “I have been thinking about you.”
- Service: Sweep the sidewalk, volunteer at some community event, rake the neighbour’s leaves… gifts of time and service are an essential community expression of showing up to help out.
- Time and Service: If you are a service provider or an educator with some special expertise, offer and extra 15 minutes of conversation or consultations under the banner “Appreciation Conversation. Let’s talk!”
- Physical Touch: Hold a group huddle with your team and if appropriate – give out some hugs! The gift of touch is a valid way of expressing appreciation, but the right kind of touch at the right time, under the right circumstances may require a conversation or a request for permission. Hugging, shoulder tapping, warm embraces – it’s a touchy subject!
- Words – whether written or spoken, the most obvious way to express our appreciation to another person is with a “thank-you”. An email, a phone call, a shout out on social media — words are fundamental to communicating our reasons to be grateful.
- Time – No question, finding time to slow down and savour life can be a challenge. Taking time to spend time with another person (or pet) is indeed an important expression of gratitude. Taking an extra 5 minutes to listen patiently, walk more slowly, or simply accompany the other and meeting them in their time and space, is a show of respect and appreciation.
- Gifts – Gift cards for gas, food or drink or free samples given in a spirit of generosity – with no expectations attached. Gifts of flowers or chocolates or home made soup. Giving something for nothing means that you understand a gift is a gift. Generosity does not have strings attached. That said, gratitude is a feeling the demands action. Whether the action is a pay it back or pay it forward, the best gifts come from a place deep in the heart, not always needing a pocket book.
- Service – Canadians show and grow our culture of kindness when we volunteer our services and help out in a way that is generous, not transactional and with no expectation of something in return. Volunteering to empty the compost bin, do the dishes, or sweep the sidewalk are actions that show “I care”. Clear the table. Wash the dishes. Empty the dishwasher. Put the dishes away. Wipe the counters. Metaphorically and literally, chores are a good ritual for slowing down to smell the roses. Have you ever heard the expression: “Chop wood. Carry water.”? Chores are a way to get grounded and can also calm your thoughts.
- Physical touch — Yes, this can be a touchy subject, but with permission, with consent, appreciation can be shown with physical touch, a genuine hug, a warm embrace or a soft and gentle kiss.
