Grateful: A Book Discussion on Gratitude & Community

A focused discussion of “Grateful” by Diana Butler Bass; exploring gratitude as gift-and-response (not debt), the “me/we” dimensions, targeted vs. untargeted gratitude, and the “gratitude gap” between private feeling and public life. We’ll ground the conversation in short passages and connect ideas to everyday life at home, work, and in community

AGENDA (RUNS ON TIME):
7:00-7:10 — Arrival & Opening (10 min): phone-free threshold; quick pair hello: “Where did you last notice a gift?”
7:10-7:25 — Framing the Text (15 min): three lenses with short quotes—me/we, targeted/untargeted, gratitude gap.
7:25-7:50 — Text-Based Discussion I (25 min): “Me → We”—where do you sit on the me/we × emotion/ethic map?
7:50-8:00 — Break & Notes (10 min): stretch; jot a phrase to bring back.
8:00-8:25 — Text-Based Discussion II (25 min): “The Gratitude Gap”—how do we carry gratitude into our shared/public life?
8:25-8:45 — Themes in Practice (20 min): share one honest, non-performative practice for the week ahead.
8:45-8:55 — Commit & Close (10 min): name one small experiment and how you’ll reflect on it.
8:55-9:00 — Thanks & Goodbye (5 min)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Readers, community-builders, and anyone curious about moving gratitude from “nice idea” to lived practice.

WHAT TO BRING (OPTIONAL):

• A marked sentence/passage from “Grateful” you want to discuss
• A small photo or object you appreciate right now

POP-UP GUIDELINES:

• Phones away 7:00-7:40
• Speak from experience; no advice unless asked
• One mic, one voice—make space, take space
• What’s shared here, stays here

RSVP: Seats are limited—please confirm your spot.
LANGUAGE: Primarily English (Arabic welcome).