The Glad Game: How Walt Disney’s Pollyanna Inspires True Joy and Lasting Gratitude in Life and Business Enterprise!!!
Introduction: A Timeless Lesson in Joy
Spring and Summer are seasons of warmth, togetherness, reflection, and growth. Yet, beneath the glittering wishes and festive flowers, many of us face moments of disappointment, stress, or even sorrow in our personal lives or businesses. In these times, the wisdom of Walt Disney’s Pollyanna and her beloved “Glad Game” offers a beacon of hope—a simple, powerful practice for finding joy and gratitude in every circumstance.
The Origin of the Glad Game
The Glad Game began long before Walt Disney’s magical adaptation. In 1913, Eleanor H. Porter wrote Pollyanna, the story of a young orphan who, despite her hardships, radiates optimism. Her secret? A game taught by her father: whenever something upsetting happens, find something—anything—to be glad about. This isn’t about ignoring pain, but about choosing to focus on the positive, no matter how small. ( The same concept can also be found in Rose Byrne’s Secret Series, a true gem!)
When Disney brought Pollyanna to the screen in 1960, he introduced the Glad Game to millions, showing that the power of perspective can transform not just individuals but entire communities.
How the Glad Game Works
The rules are simple:
- When faced with disappointment, ask: “What can I be glad about in this situation?”
- Name at least one thing, no matter how small.
- Share your gladness with others, spreading positivity and gratitude.
For Pollyanna, this meant being glad for crutches when she wanted a doll—because she didn’t need to use them. It meant being glad for rainy days, because they made the sunshine even sweeter. It meant finding the good, even when life was hard.
Disney’s Vision: Authentic Optimism
Walt Disney understood that true joy isn’t about denying reality or forcing a smile. In his adaptation, Pollyanna isn’t a caricature of cheerfulness—she’s a real, three-dimensional girl who feels pain and sorrow but chooses to look for the good anyway. This authenticity is what makes her optimism so powerful and relatable.
Disney’s Pollyanna inspired not just children, but adults as well. The Glad Game became a tool for families, teachers, and communities to foster gratitude and resilience.
The Science Behind the Glad Game
Modern psychology confirms what Pollyanna taught us over a century ago: gratitude changes lives. Studies show that focusing on what we’re thankful for boosts happiness, reduces stress, and even improves health. The Glad Game is a practical, accessible way to build these habits.
- Reframing Challenges: By looking for the silver lining, we train our brains to see possibilities instead of problems.
- Building Resilience: Gratitude helps us bounce back from setbacks, fostering a sense of hope and agency.
- Strengthening Relationships: Sharing what we’re glad for brings us closer to others, creating a ripple effect of positivity.
Real-Life Stories: The Glad Game in Action
The Glad Game isn’t just a storybook lesson—it’s a lifeline for real people facing real challenges.
- Family Traditions: Generations have played the Glad Game at dinner tables and bedtime, teaching children to look for the good in every life.
- Overcoming Hardship: From broken legs to lost jobs, people have used the Glad Game to find hope in difficult times, shifting their focus from what’s missing to what remains.
- Community Transformation: Just like in Pollyanna’s town, communities have rallied around gratitude, supporting each other and spreading joy.
Playing the Glad Game During the Holidays
The holidays are a perfect time to embrace the Glad Game. When plans fall through, family tensions rise, or expectations go unmet, the game offers a gentle reminder to seek out the blessings in disguise.
Examples:
- The meal didn’t turn out as planned? Be glad for the laughter and memories you’ll share.
- Stuck in holiday traffic? Be glad for the time to listen to music or connect with loved ones.
- Missing someone special? Be glad for the memories you hold and the love you shared.
Teaching the Glad Game to Children
Children are natural optimists, but they also feel disappointment deeply. The Glad Game helps them build emotional intelligence and resilience.
Tips for Families:
- Make gratitude a daily ritual—share what you’re glad for at dinner or bedtime.
- Encourage kids to find silver linings in setbacks.
- Use challenges as opportunities to practice the Glad Game together.
Glad Game vs. Toxic Positivity
It’s important to distinguish the Glad Game from toxic positivity. The former is about honest acknowledgment of difficulty, paired with a hopeful search for good. The latter denies or suppresses negative emotions, insisting on forced cheerfulness.
| Glad Game | Toxic Positivity |
|---|---|
| Acknowledges hardship | Denies or ignores hardship |
| Seeks authentic gratitude | Demands constant happiness |
| Builds resilience | Suppresses real emotion |
| Encourages empathy | Discourages vulnerability |
Pollyanna’s strength lies in her willingness to feel and process pain, while still choosing to look for hope.
Practical Ways to Play the Glad Game
- Gratitude Journals: Write down three things you’re glad for each day, especially on tough days.
- Glad Game Jar: Place slips of paper with glad moments in a jar. Read them together on New Year’s Eve.
- Community Gladness: Share the Glad Game with friends, family, or coworkers. Watch how it transforms your group dynamic.
The Ripple Effect: Spreading Joy and Gratitude
Pollyanna’s Glad Game didn’t just change her life—it changed her entire community. The more people played, the more joy and gratitude spread. In a world that often focuses on what’s wrong, the Glad Game is a radical act of hope.
Walt Disney’s Enduring Legacy
Walt Disney believed in the magic of optimism. Through Pollyanna and the Glad Game, he reminded audiences that joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of gratitude. This holiday, let’s honor that legacy by playing the Glad Game—finding reasons to be glad, even in the smallest moments.
“When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will.”
—Pollyanna’s locket (and Abraham Lincoln)
Instead, let’s look for the good. Let’s play the Glad Game, and in doing so, create a holiday season—and a life—filled with true joy and gratitude.
What Are You Glad For Today?
The Glad Game is more than a childhood pastime—it’s a way of life. It’s a choice to seek out the good, to practice gratitude, and to share joy with others. This holiday season, let’s take a page from Pollyanna and Walt Disney: find something to be glad about, no matter what comes your way. You might just change your life—and the lives of those around you.
Happy Holiday Rising!
