[di meliora]

Thomas Plante, Ph.D., discusses the benefits of gratitude. He notes some of his patients become depressed at the end of the year for reasons such as "... not achieving more or not having the kind of life and lifestyle that they had hoped and dreamed for." http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...itude-you-want

Plante:

One of many strategies to improve mood and perspective this time of year (and throughout the year for that matter) is to focus on the half full rather than half empty glass. Looking for the up side and being grateful for what you have is so important for both mental and physical health. This is not to say that we should be in denial or maintain a Pollyanna way of thinking about our lives but rather to be sure that we focus on what we are grateful for each and every day. And yes, I really do mean each and every day.

Michael Angier authored: Reflections -- A Top Ten List of Year-End Questions. http://www.cdnbizwomen.com/articles/angier19.html Perhaps some might find it useful:

1. What did I learn? (skills, knowledge, awareness', etc.)
2. What did I accomplish? A list of my wins and achievements.
3. What would I have done differently? Why?
4. What did I complete or release? What still feels incomplete to me?
5. What were the most significant events of the year past? List the top three.
6. What did I do right? What do I feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
7. What were the fun things I did? What were the not-so-fun?
8. What were my biggest challenges/roadblocks/difficulties?
9. How am I different this year than last?
10. For what am I particularly grateful?

[waynec]

i do a 5 gratitude list every evening before bed. i also say thank you a lot to God during the day. i have a lot to be gratiful for and i know it and remind myself of it.
i'm not a half full half empty guy. i think the glass is thr wrong size.

[OnwardUpward]

I'm a 13 years sober member of AA and have several serious mental illnesses. It was in AA, and then therapy further on that Gratitude Lists were suggested to me. I couldn't say I have the rigour suggested of doing a gratitude list every single day, but it is close. It's part of promoting positive Plastic Brain Change. I'm going to use the list di meliora provided. I'm doing similar things in my ACT and Mindfulness, so it's another string to my bow. Thanks di meliora.

i always find it interesting reading these artickles you share with us.

thanks for posting it..

[trytosurvive]

Originally Posted by waynec

i do a 5 gratitude list every evening before bed. i also say thank you a lot to God during the day. i have a lot to be gratiful for and i know it and remind myself of it.
i'm not a half full half empty guy. i think the glass is thr wrong size.

Tee hee, I hear ya!