Attitude of gratitude
Giving back to our community
It is the holiday season, and during this time, many people take stock of their blessings and things for which they are grateful. A common saying at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF), as well as in other locales, is to have an “attitude of gratitude.”
One way incarcerated individuals exhibit their attitudes of gratitude is by sharing positivity, whether through a smile, a word of encouragement or even something more concrete.
In mid-November, CCWF residents involved in the Occupational Mentor Certification Program organized a food drive to benefit the Madera County Food Bank. Food drives are common at CCWF and have occurred many times throughout the 35 years since the institution opened. This latest food drive was spurred by the federal government shutdown, which stopped benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The thought process for this and previous food drives was for individuals at CCWF to pay it forward and help benefit the greater community. Although we are incarcerated, many nonetheless can share some of our food purchases to assist local community members who are dealing with food insecurity.
CCWF residents buy food and other items from canteen or through their quarterly packages. Many different items are donated during these drives, such as dehydrated potatoes, rice, beans, pouches of chicken, non-dairy creamer, and powdered milk.
Historically, individuals at CCWF have stepped up quickly in times of need. For example, during the fires that ravaged Los Angeles County and surrounding areas earlier this year, the CCWF community sent financial assistance through the Red Cross. Many years ago, the Long Termers Organization sponsored a shoes and coats drive for a local elementary school.
Aside from giving back to the communities we will eventually return to, participating in fundraisers, food drives, and even just having a positive attitude can have personal benefits as well.
Attitude is important for a variety of reasons. According to Harvard Health in 2019, “there is a lot of evidence suggesting that having a positive attitude – like being optimistic, cheerful, having gratitude and purpose in life – can be heart-protective.”
A 2016 study out of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health also notes particular benefits for women, with research suggesting “women who were optimistic had a significantly reduced risk of dying from several major causes of death — including cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and infection — over an eight-year period, compared with women who were less optimistic,” according to the Harvard Gazette.
Other benefits include mental health benefits, better sleep, fewer aches and pains, stress relief, and a better mood. The Mayo Clinic notes that, “Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain, and risk of disease.”
Conversely, Johns Hopkins Medicine has reported, “studies also find that negative emotions can weaken immune response.”
Being incarcerated presents us with many challenges. We have a lack of control over many aspects of our lives, including with whom we live, when we can take a walk, and whether we will even be able to leave our rooms. The only things we can truly control are our own actions, reactions, and attitude. With all the positives associated with having an attitude of gratitude, doesn’t it make sense to give it a try?
