Editors Note: Over the years more and more people are talking about this thing called gratitude.  I used to think that doing something like keeping a gratitude journal or taking time to realize what you are grateful for was just another gimmick until I began my own gratitude journal.  It is amazing how I saw things in my life take flight and hold a totally different energy then every before. Read below and see how the energy of gratitude can transform you and your whole family! ~Nitika~

We all are born into this world with gifts to share. Our children compound this purpose. The color in our lives is painted by your loved ones. My life is brightly colored by my family and I want them to know that they are my greatest gifts.

Short of busting out the pom poms from my cheerleading days, I’ve asked best selling children’s book author and speaker, Laura Duksta for insights on how to have a conscious and meaningful conversation of love with our children.

I read Laura’s first book “I Love You More” (Sourcebooks, $16.99) nightly with my son and the title quickly became our favorite game. (For the record, I love him more.) Her follow up flip book “You Are A Gift To The World” (Sourcebooks, $16.99), will have you unwrapping the many gifts your loved ones bring into your lives.

Laura’s mission is to spread the conversation of love around the world and remind people about their gifts to the world. Here are her tips to spark your conversation of love:

Word World: Communicate with your words and actions. We create our world by the words we speak. Too often love is assumed but not expressed. The more children experience being loved the greater their certainty, trust and confidence. Laura’s books make the conversation of love present, alive and experienced in people’s homes, hearts and classrooms. For some they are an extension of a natural expression of love that is already there, for others with challenges in expressing their love, they create an access to a whole new alphabet.

Love Speak. You may have forgotten what a conversation of love sounds like but it’s easier than riding a bike. Laura finds it’s quiet, it’s silly, it’s loud; there’s laughter, whispers and sometimes tears. It’s children playing, the wind blowing, leaves rustling, birds singing, waves crashing and more! Quiet your mind, listen with your heart and you’ll hear it in the beauty of the flowers and soon recognize it in every person you meet.

Play Games: Playing games with your children is a fun way to share messages of love. The YOU ARE A GIFT game is where you state how you and your children are gifts to each other and the world and how the world in turn is a gift too. Start asking, “How have you been a gift to someone today?” “How have I been a gift to you?” “How is the world a gift to us?” Taking time to say something nice about each person present has caused miracles for Laura’s family. Another game is the “I AM – INSERT ADJECTIVE”. Start at the beginning of the alphabet and take turns saying, “I Am Amazing!”, “I Am Brilliant!”, “I Am Creative!” Play the games and see how your kids light up and explore how they see themselves.

Gratitude Factor: Gratitude is the biggest attractor factor to experience joy. To find your gratitude attitude, start a daily “I Am A Gift” journal and dedicate it to yourself. Start and end the day with writing down, or call to mind, one way that you being in the world serves others. If you’ve lost your grati-tude go easy on yourself and start small, like, “I am grateful for pie”, “My laughter is a gift”, as you continue, you’ll find grati-tude in the small stuff, like “my kids smiling”. Laura struggled keeping a Gratitude Journal until a friend inspired her to keep one on Facebook. Laura started posting a picture everyday into a “365 Days of Gratitude Album” and now finds herself aware of what she’s grateful for and able to recognize more gifts. Plus, you’ll have a great memory book for next January!

Gratitude Wallpaper: We love Jeannette Simpson, of Kids Space Interiors, suggestion to swap pictures of superheros and heart throbs on your kid’s walls and replace them with “Gratitude” sayings. Use inspiring words that encourage who they are and their gifts. One of Laura’s favorites is “I Am a Genius! I listen to my heart and I use my brain!”, because we first must declare that we are a genius and then discover, develop and nurture it – so we listen to our heart and use our brain. Or as Laura’s mentor, John Demartini says, “I am a genius, and I apply my wisdom.”

Their Gifts: Use broad statements as too much specificity gets us wrapped with “how to make something happen” rather than allowing it. Words said with energy and enthusiasm help create a desired outcome, like “CHEERS!”, “I Am a Superstar Student!”, “I Am a Fantastic Friend!” “I Am a Radical Reader!”, “I Am an Amazing Athlete!” “I Am a Master Musician!” Laura and her niece have been saying, posting and reinforcing “I Am a Superstar Soccer Player!” since she was 4 years old. She’s now 14 and one of the best players in the country. She loves the sport and has natural ability but believing that she’s a “Superstar Soccer Player” helped her gain the discipline to train and practice to make it true!

Indian Giver: Go ahead, accept a gift and return the love.

Reinforce the love throughout your day with your children, at the table, in the car and you’ll see a rainbow of joy. As Laura says “SHINE ON!!”

Learn more about Laura, her books, personal story and speaking engagements at her website. Autographed copies of her books can be purchased as well: www.LauraDuksta.com

Full Disclosure: I am happy to share that you can find my testimonial of Laura’s book inside it’s pages!! While I absolutely adore Laura, I genuinely love shining a light on her work and books, they uplift every conversation.