Do you have a practice of gratitude?

[caramel]

There are many studies that show that having a practice of gratitude can make you happier.

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Effects on the Brain

For 4 years, I had a gratitude journal that I logged in every day with 3 things I was grateful for.

It made me feel miserable. It was a chore, and I didn't really feel grateful. I felt resentful that I was making myself do it.

These days, I write things down I'm grateful for, but only when I'm really grateful about it.

Do you have a practice of gratitude? Has it made you feel happier? Do you do it daily?

 

[C50]

I'm an atheist but pray every night, not to a God but just throwing my prayers out there to the universe. One of the reasons I pray is to express gratitude, it's too easy to get stressed about life and focus on the negative so by praying I recognize and show appreciation for the good in my life.

 

[Alizerine]

I'm an atheist but pray every night, not to a God but just throwing my prayers out there to the universe. One of the reasons I pray is to express gratitude, it's too easy to get stressed about life and focus on the negative so by praying I recognize and show appreciation for the good in my life.

Sometimes I think it is also a way to communicate with your subconscious and maybe help to clarify things.

 

[Nathan]

As a Christian I express my gratitude.
As a Daosist I feel my gratitude.
As a Yogi I practice my gratitude.

 

[chic]

Sometimes I think it is also a way to communicate with your subconscious and maybe help to clarify things.

Yes, and I do it daily for the same reason. It impresses the subconscious mind and can produce more in your life to be grateful for.

 

[seadoug]

Every day. I am sincerely grateful for how my life has turned out after some successes and bumps in the road. I'm in a happy place right now. I wake up each day thinking about how much I have to be thankful for.

 

[LoveTulips]

Well I tried at one point. But kind of kept on writing the same thing - health for family and pets....kind of just quit as I just got bored with it, you know like, saying thank you for coffee, for art supplies, etc. I prefer to paint and that puts me in the flow for gratitude.

 

[MarkD]

I often notice things to appreciate. It isn't really a practice but if I get in a foul mood it helps to take stock.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I absolutely do and thank God so do my son and grandchildren. I think that focusing on things to be grateful for does help with (my) happiness. I believe it helps others I know as well.

 

[hawkdon]

In my early days of sobriety I was instructed on the process
of being grateful, used to write a list, no longer have to write
it down, got the attitude firmly in my mind now....

 

[Flarbalard]

I do not. Almost always, when I truly feel grateful for something, shortly thereafter something happens to destroy that notion. Too many times I have had this happen, like it was cause and effect. So I pretty much just go on my merry way and try to roll with the punches as best as possible.

 

[caramel]

I'm an atheist but pray every night, not to a God but just throwing my prayers out there to the universe.

I love this.

At best, I'm an agnostic. I like the idea of prayer but it comes with so much baggage.

Maybe if I just don't tell anyone. . .

 

[caramel]

I do not. Almost always, when I truly feel grateful for something, shortly thereafter something happens to destroy that notion. Too many times I have had this happen, like it was cause and effect.

I know this feeling all too well. In order to prove (or disprove) the theory, I started writing a good/bad list. Every day, I write down the good things that happened and the bad things that happened. Some days are mostly bad; some days are mostly good.

At least for me, although it feels like when something good happens, something bad happens, just as often when something good happens, another good thing happens before a bad thing happens.

The pattern is not as predictable as negativity bias (a scientific term) would have you believe.

 

[StillLearning]

I don’t write down my gratitudes. I did for a short time but like someone else said it got to be a chore. Now when I feel like the world is beating me down my key words are Step Back. Step Back and see the whole picture. When I do, I see I’ve been pretty lucky in life. Hardships of course but don’t we all?

 

[caramel]

Now when I feel like the world is beating me down my key words are Step Back. Step Back and see the whole picture. When I do, I see I’ve been pretty lucky in life. Hardships of course but don’t we all?

Just coincidentally (or is it?), I just listened to a daily inspiration about looking at the ocean instead of the waves that gave exactly this same lesson.

 

[Widow of Vietnam Vet]

I am always thankful to God, that I woke up! And I always pray, and give thanks to my Lord, and Savior.
I have had blessings every day of my life and even some negative and sad events ,in my life turned out to be blessings-
And one blessing I have is the Ability to Not allow controlling people into my life.

As a widow I sure know there are people out there who will try to control anyone in grief or living alone.

I always try to see the glass as half full. Life brings so many challenges but those are the things that give us wisdom and strength.

 

[Flarbalard]

I know this feeling all too well. In order to prove (or disprove) the theory, I started writing a good/bad list. Every day, I write down the good things that happened and the bad things that happened. Some days are mostly bad; some days are mostly good.

At least for me, although it feels like when something good happens, something bad happens, just as often when something good happens, another good thing happens before a bad thing happens.

The pattern is not as predictable as negativity bias (a scientific term) would have you believe.

I'm glad you have something that works for you. Everyone has to find their own way.

I understand negativity bias, what I was talking about is much more specific than the whole day on balance. I'm not trying to change anyone's perspective, I was simply sharing.

 

[birdy]

For 4 years, I had a gratitude journal that I logged in every day with 3 things I was grateful for.

It made me feel miserable. It was a chore, and I didn't really feel grateful. I felt resentful that I was making myself do it.

I'm not a person who remembers to journal on a daily basis. It's not my thing. I don't even express gratefulness daily. But it is something I think about frequently enough that I often give thanks whenever the thoughts pop into my head. And I suspect if I wait too long to express thankfulness, my higher power always gives me a nudge in the right direction, showing me I have much to be thankful for. I always get the message loud and clear.

 

[caramel]

I'm not trying to change anyone's perspective, I was simply sharing.

Same.

 

[Meanderer]

Any journal is a journey...try again. We miss about 95% of our Blessings. We get so busy, we walk right past them, sight unseen. I am grateful to you for your thread!

 

[Pepper]

I have a printed out sign up where I can see it from many angles that preaches: Count Your Blessings. When I see it, often, I do. First word is always Son.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I know gratefulness helps people cope during good times and bad, however, the uncertainty of life causes me to be especially grateful for the way life happened to me. There are an abundence of circumstances that shape the road traveled and the pathway of ambition stolen beyond one’s ability to resist.
Mental illness, I cannot explain how difficult loss-of-mind and misinterpretation of senses changes a person’s ability to function when the barriers of reason no longer exist or dependable to trust.

I am fortunate to have survived when my prognosis years back was predicted not to have lasted longer than 30 years. I try to detach myself from emotions due to the intensity of power depletation and draining capabilities.

I feel death is the next step for me so why not talk about it? I do not consider anything associated with life to be fair. Humans are brainwashed to believe life is good, be thankful, no matter how bad life is, be thankful. Don’t know about anyone else but life is hard and I can not say everything is hunky-dory when life sux most of the time.

Yes I look forward to no longer being of this flesh and blood even though I don’t know what will come next, I didn’t know what to expect prior to birth all the way until it will end. That’s the beauty of living, you don’t know whatcha got until it’s gone. I’ll take my chances, whatever, happens to me will be a sign, perhaps I will design my own sign.