Message from AHVAP President

AHVAP Leaders Lead with Gratitude

Dear AHVAP Members and Colleagues:

Your AHVAP leaders are living proof of one of my favorite quotes from President John F Kennedy: "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." Grateful living is a way of approaching life with a deep sense of appreciation and thankfulness for the present moment and all that it encompasses. It involves actively cultivating a mindset of gratitude and recognizing the abundance of blessings in one's life, no matter how big or small. On Wednesday May 15, 2024, AHVAP and our CVAHP Certification Center leaders announced the most recent example our AVHAP Leaders demonstrating their personal and professional gratitude with the announcement of personal donations from 100% of both boards to support scholarships for those seeking their CVAHP certification. Your leaders demonstrated “highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

To practice grateful living, one can engage in activities such as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing thanks to others, practicing mindfulness, volunteering, and reflecting on challenges as opportunities for growth. By incorporating these practices into daily life, individuals can experience greater happiness, resilience, and a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them.

Ultimately, grateful living is about shifting one's perspective to focus on the positive aspects of life, fostering a sense of contentment, and finding joy in the present moment. It is a transformative way of being that can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence and finally and most importantly “living to leave the world better than we found it.”

Living with gratitude involves acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of your life, no matter how big or small. Here are some ways to cultivate a mindset of gratitude:

• Keep a gratitude journal: Take time each day to write down things for which you are grateful. This can help shift your focus toward the positive aspects of your life.
• Express gratitude to others: Show appreciation to the people in your life by saying thank you or writing a note of gratitude. This can strengthen your relationships and foster a sense of connection.
• Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment and savor the good things in your life. Mindfulness can help you appreciate the simple joys and blessings around you.
• Volunteer or help others: Giving back to your community or helping those in need can cultivate a sense of gratitude and perspective on your own blessings.
• Reflect on challenges: Even in tough times, try to find lessons or silver linings that you can be grateful for. This can help you grow and find resilience in adversity.

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can live with a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation for the world around you. I invite you to join me and our fellow AHVAP Leaders to live with a with sense of gratitude, and “not to utter words, but to live by them."

Sincerely,

Karen Niven, MS, BSN, RN, FACHDM, CVAHP™, FNAP, FAHVAP
President, Board of Directors
AHVAP