Gratitude?

Dec 12, 2018 at 02:08 PM

I read that taking time each day to write down 5 things for which you are grateful can help to improve mood. I started doing this about a month ago. I wonder if anyone else does this or is interested in starting? I think it would be wonderful if we created a Gratitude Thread and could watch it grow with people's additions. These need not be major or dramatic things to be grateful about. It could be something as simple as: "I am grateful that the sun came out today." On a dark day, people may find it difficult to think of 5 so even 1 would be great!
Does anyone feel like sharing some gratefulness with me??
I'll start....
I am grateful for a kind message I received from a friend.

Dec 12, 2018 at 04:51 PM

I am grateful for the little african violet I bought, it's blooming nicely.

Dec 12, 2018 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2daffodils

I am grateful for the little african violet I bought, it's blooming nicely.

That sounds beautiful! Thank you for providing a lovely image

RomanSunburn · Dec 12, 2018 at 05:55 PM

Thanks for starting this thread!

Have you seen any improvement with your mood after writing down five things you are grateful for everyday for a month?

I am grateful for former neighbors that still send cards at the holidays.

Dec 12, 2018 at 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RomanSunburn

Thanks for starting this thread!

Have you seen any improvement with your mood after writing down five things you are grateful for everyday for a month?

I am grateful for former neighbors that still send cards at the holidays.

Yes, I have found that my daily lists help...to remind me that there are always things to be thankful for even on very sad days. With the onset of winter (less daylight is hard), I find myself often being thankful for my safe home and warm coat. Things that many do not have.

I'm not suggesting that gratitude is a cure but I do find that it helps. If you try it, I recommend writing down your list in the same notebook/document each day. The next time you're having a dark day...you can pull out your list and remind yourself of all that goodness and hopefully feel better!

You can also share/practice with others in your home or workplace...on a day when someone is finding it hard to feel grateful, you can invite them to read someone else's list.

will19 · Dec 12, 2018 at 08:38 PM

There's so much for me to be thankful for a lot. I have my health, at least I don't feel like there's anything wrong. I have shelter; out from the cold, enough money in my savings, a job I like with nice people, car running good, and other things.

I think that with depression, it seems much easier to dwell on what's wrong rather than what's right. In essence, at least that's how it is for me, there are more items in my life that are right than wrong. But I make the mistake of thinking about the items that are wrong.

Every night I thank the Lord for all the good things He's done. It really makes me feel pretty good before going to bed.

Buffy01 · Jan 10, 2019 at 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopefullyLost1211

Yes, I have found that my daily lists help...to remind me that there are always things to be thankful for even on very sad days. With the onset of winter (less daylight is hard), I find myself often being thankful for my safe home and warm coat. Things that many do not have.

I'm not suggesting that gratitude is a cure but I do find that it helps. If you try it, I recommend writing down your list in the same notebook/document each day. The next time you're having a dark day...you can pull out your list and remind yourself of all that goodness and hopefully feel better!

You can also share/practice with others in your home or workplace...on a day when someone is finding it hard to feel grateful, you can invite them to read someone else's list.

My problem is I don't have a lot of good things in my life.

mikimostar · Feb 14, 2019 at 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopefullyLost1211

Yes, I have found that my daily lists help...to remind me that there are always things to be thankful for even on very sad days. With the onset of winter (less daylight is hard), I find myself often being thankful for my safe home and warm coat. Things that many do not have.

I'm not suggesting that gratitude is a cure but I do find that it helps. If you try it, I recommend writing down your list in the same notebook/document each day. The next time you're having a dark day...you can pull out your list and remind yourself of all that goodness and hopefully feel better!

You can also share/practice with others in your home or workplace...on a day when someone is finding it hard to feel grateful, you can invite them to read someone else's list.

Yes. This is a part of positive psychology. You can always write a note for future you and say something like this "thank you for doing laundry" and laundry will not be a chore any more or just say "you made wonderful lunch" . It works.

Buffy01 · Dec 29, 2018 at 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2daffodils

I am grateful for the little african violet I bought, it's blooming nicely.

That sounds awesome

Dec 13, 2018 at 06:05 AM

sure.... today I am greatful for:

1. a warm breakfast

2. clean clothes

3. being in less pain than yesterday

4. christmas music

5. this thread which is an awsom idea

Dec 14, 2018 at 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raging vortex

sure.... today I am greatful for:

1. a warm breakfast

2. clean clothes

3. being in less pain than yesterday

4. christmas music

5. this thread which is an awsom idea

Thank you for sharing your gratitude, RagingVortex!

akekaomen · Dec 13, 2018 at 07:59 AM

Nice idea. I think it helps focus your mind on something positive to help break the cycle depression brings. I don't know about 5 things, but I am grateful that I read this thread. Grateful that I have a supportive wife. Grateful I have a place to live.

Dec 15, 2018 at 11:19 AM

Today I am grateful that the sun is shining and I am able to go hiking!

Apr 11, 2019 at 03:26 PM

fruit.

alexa

fizzy

music

the fact someone I don't like is no longer working for her company

this site and all the new features doc john put on it to make it easier

Fuzzybear · Apr 11, 2019 at 03:29 PM

The people on this New Page

Fuzzybear · Apr 11, 2019 at 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raging vortex

fruit.

alexa

fizzy

music

the fact someone I don't like is no longer working for her company

this site and all the new features doc john put on it to make it easier

It’s good that byetch has gone (wave good bye to her. Thud)

May 25, 2019 at 02:58 PM

daily alexa quiz

quiet day

rain

fresh fruit for breakfast

May 25, 2019 at 06:51 PM

At this moment I am grateful

to have walked > 11,000 steps
for sunshine
for acupuncture
for a few hours of feeling human today....first time in a few weeks
that I kept my peace and did not react to a nasty email

speckofdust · May 25, 2019 at 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raging vortex

daily alexa quiz

Is that the one that's like a mini home game version of Jeopardy? I love that - although I don't do very well. Alexa usually says, "Shhhhhucks, you only got 2 correct."

Aug 24, 2019 at 02:16 PM

I am greatful that the internet has been playing nicely.

honestly it makes such a huge diffrence in my life as I rely on it so much

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Anonymous445852 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 12, 2018 at 04:51 PM #2 I am grateful for the little african violet I bought, it's blooming nicely.
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RomanSunburn Poohbah Member Since May 2008 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 1,293 16 633 hugs given	Dec 12, 2018 at 05:55 PM #4 Thanks for starting this thread! Have you seen any improvement with your mood after writing down five things you are grateful for everyday for a month? I am grateful for former neighbors that still send cards at the holidays.
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 13, 2018 at 06:05 AM #10 sure.... today I am greatful for: 1. a warm breakfast 2. clean clothes 3. being in less pain than yesterday 4. christmas music 5. this thread which is an awsom idea
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akekaomen Member Member Since Jul 2010 Posts: 148 13 21 hugs given	Dec 13, 2018 at 07:59 AM #12 Nice idea. I think it helps focus your mind on something positive to help break the cycle depression brings. I don't know about 5 things, but I am grateful that I read this thread. Grateful that I have a supportive wife. Grateful I have a place to live.
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Anonymous57363 Guest Posts: n/a	Dec 15, 2018 at 11:19 AM #13 Today I am grateful that the sun is shining and I am able to go hiking!
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Apr 11, 2019 at 03:26 PM #14 fruit. alexa fizzy music the fact someone I don't like is no longer working for her company this site and all the new features doc john put on it to make it easier
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Fuzzybear Wisest Elder Ever Member Since Nov 2002 Location: Cave. Posts: 96,377 (SuperPoster!) 21 81.3k hugs given	Apr 11, 2019 at 03:29 PM #15 The people on this New Page __________________
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	May 25, 2019 at 02:58 PM #17 daily alexa quiz quiet day rain fresh fruit for breakfast
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Anonymous44076 Guest Posts: n/a	May 25, 2019 at 06:51 PM #18 At this moment I am grateful to have walked > 11,000 steps for sunshine for acupuncture for a few hours of feeling human today....first time in a few weeks that I kept my peace and did not react to a nasty email
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Aug 24, 2019 at 02:16 PM #20 I am greatful that the internet has been playing nicely. honestly it makes such a huge diffrence in my life as I rely on it so much
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