Change the world with gratitude: Here's how!

Changing the world with gratitude: The Neflental celebrates a glorious high

A special day begins in Neflental at the height of the glow. It is the time when the sun shines like a giant amber in the sky and pours gold over every corner of the valley. Colourful lanterns float over the crystal-clear rivers and small lakes reflect the warm light like dancing sparks of fire. The revellers wear cheerful dresses in sun gold, sapphire blue, coral red and emerald green. Friends and neighbours sit around the campfires on the riverbank. They tell each other stories, laugh, eat fresh bread and enjoy listening to the dragonflies glittering in the light.

The old owl station at the edge of the forest

Very close to the revellers, the owl family keeps watch on a gnarled tree stump at the edge of the forest. This owl watch has been around for many generations. The owls watch the goings-on and know that magical things can happen on this special night. Rosa Periwinkle has the custom of going to the owl station before every new task. She listens to the mysterious hoot of the old owl, which is a sign of wisdom for all the inhabitants.

Pink evergreen and the glamour festival

On this day, Rosa Periwinkle wants to make a difference at the Glanzhoch. She notices that many of her friends are very cheerful during the celebrations, but that some of them look sad or are sitting alone on the lakeside. Because she wants to make the world a better place, Rosa Periwinkle looks for an idea. She remembers how grateful she is for the sunny days, the sparkling lakes and her friends.

Rosa Periwinkle collects wildflowers in sun gold and coral red. She weaves little wreaths from them. Then she goes to every campfire and gives a wreath and a smile. Rosa Periwinkle says: "Thank you for being here. Thank you for making the valley so colourful."

Many residents are surprised because not everyone is told every day that they are important. A girl from the lake beams: "No one has ever said thank you to me like that before. What a lovely moment!" The owls at the control centre wink in agreement. Their soft calls sound like praise for Rosa Periwinkle.

Gratitude plants joy

In the evening, the wreaths grow into a colourful chain that wraps around the large campfire. The children and young people dance around it. They shout: "Every one of us makes Neflental special!" Rosa Immergrün notices how the gratitude leaps like a spark through the whole valley. Many people smile at each other. Sadness melts like snow in the summer sun, because everyone feels how good it is to share good things.

The teaching of the owl

As the moon blinks out, Rosa Periwinkle sits down with the owls on the owlery. The oldest owl says with a warm look: "True strength lies in being grateful for the little things." Rosa Periwinkle nods and understands: with gratitude, everyone can make kindness grow until the whole valley glows with it. This strength will accompany everyone from the peak of splendour to the next winter.

What do we learn from this?

In Neflental, gratitude transforms a day into a great celebration full of warmth. When you thank others, you change the world around you. Everyone can start with small acts: a smile, a kind word, a few flowers. Gratitude is like a light that jumps from heart to heart and makes everything more beautiful, no matter how dark it may be.

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