Gratitude in Action

Written by Kady Younkman, Chief Community Officer

Put your gratitude in action. What does that even mean?

Here at The Magdalen House we talk about gratitude a lot.

We’re so grateful to be sober.

Grateful to witness the miracles that happen at Maggie’s each day.
Grateful for a place like this, a safe haven where women can go and be surrounded by love and support and grace.
A place to build a solid foundation in recovery, for free.
Grateful to be alive.

It’s one thing to be in a state of gratitude, but for me it can be fleeting and at times difficult to stay that way. When life gets busy and I’m caught up in the day-to-day tasks that we all have, it’s hard to remember to stop, get quiet, and be grateful. However, over the last year or so, I’ve realized something. The women who make up our community know something special. They seem to radiate gratitude with joy. How? I used to ask myself.

Before I started working here, when I would attend a Maggie’s meeting here and there; I was talking with Chloe at one point and I remember saying to her, “There is something so special about this place! What is it? I can’t put my finger on it.” I’ll never forget what she said to me,

“It’s the women. They feel a sense of ownership, they started their journey here, this is their home and they come back.”

Now, 4 years later and on staff here at The Magdalen House, I finally understand it– Gratitude in action. These women show up because someone did it for them. They keep coming back because it’s a way to show, through taking action, that they’re grateful for the experience they had and continue to have here at Maggie’s. An experience created by those that came before them. The ones who were just putting their gratitude into action.

It all comes full circle. It’s organic and created by love and a sense of duty for the next woman. I always say I am so honored to facilitate the Volunteer program here at The Magdalen House, and I am. It’s fascinating to be able to organize and provide a way to help women help other women! It is a beautiful thing that I am grateful for today.

Seven Ways to Put Your Gratitude in Action

1.
Come early to the meeting and stay a few minutes late. Talk to the women in the house or in Next Step.

2.
Sign up to donate a meal.

3.
Chaperone our clients on their daily walk around the neighborhood.

4.

Sign up to overnight volunteer once a month.

5.

Help us take out the trash or clean up the kitchen.

6.

Give a woman who has completed First Step a ride back to Maggie’s for a meeting.