Studies have shown that people who write down and think of things they are grateful for have a more positive outlook on life. I knew someone in my Families Anonymous group that did this every day and she swore by it.
Some say do five things per day, some say three and I say at least do one per day. Even others do one list of five on Monday. How is up to you but writing down one thing per day, sets the tone for your day. If you are in grief now, it might be all you can do to come up with a list of one. I want you to give it a try even if you are early in the process.
Here some examples of mine:
I’m thankful that Richard is so independent and doing well
I’m thankful I’ve had the good fortune of having my parents in my life for so long
I’m thankful Charles was not tortured then murdered. (I know. Kind of dark. But it’s one from my list.)
I’m thankful we went to Families Anonymous which surprisingly helped us later in our grief process
I’m grateful for my blog and all the people who offer support and share their own personal stories that help themselves and others
You get the gist. So one per day. No matter how bad your life is, you can find ONE thing to be thankful for. A simple solution to finding some joy and happiness.
I’m thankful that I won a $160 retired lego set. It’s huge and amazing.
That’s a good one because it’s so unusual.
I love this idea Anne. I can really relate this year. It’s been five years since my son’s suicide. My son’s (Anthony) birthday and death day are all during the holidays. I feel like I sleep walk through the November and December every year. Today I am thankful for this brisk sunny morning. I’m drinking coffee and can hear the birds outside. It’s beautiful and peaceful and will hopefully pull me out of the house today. I hate feeling stuck:/
So simple. We learn to do that when we go through a loss trauma like we have Kristin. Thank you for sharing. And to Anthony’s memory happy birthday. That’s a lot packed into the “holidays.”
Thank you Anne, I appreciate your kind words. I’m going to do my daily grateful exercises as well.
I am thankful I get to work with youth and families through the school system and address mental health stigmas, crisis and wellness through the Youth Mental Health First Aid Program in which we are in the process of training ALL our school staff. Not just admin and teachers, but aides, transportation, nutrition and custodial staff. What a difference this will make in the lives of our children and community!
I am so amazed this is happening. And so thrilled. I had no idea that other people’s grateful posts would make me so happy. Thank you Zoe. For all you do and for sharing.
I’m thankful that I was asked to express my struggle with sucidial thoughts when I was junior high. Anne Moss noticed that I was one of most engaged readers on her blog when I first found it.
That’s a good one Michael. And thank you. It’s good to see you have come back from your struggle. You have a job at a good place where they appreciate you. Given all of what you deal with, you’re a role model for the comeback kid. It’s nice to see you thrive and help others.
Thank you Anne Moss Rogers!
I’m thankful for the DNA luck of the draw that gives me the wherewithal to survive this shit.
That one makes you a gratitude rock star!
Naw. Just lucky. Nothing glamorous here. Just staying sane. I have noticed during year 3 with grief waves being much farther apart with longer lulls where I almost feel normal the sudden thought that my son died from suicide causes not a grief wave sometimes but an insanity wave. Hard to describe but it’s distinct from sadness, pain, guilt,etc. But it’s because of the stark contrast of almost feeling normal with a distracted mind then I’ll think oh yeah that. We’re visiting and staying over night with a couple who were close highschool (and beyond) friends of Daniel. Facing the fire, thickening the psyche.
Yeah that. I trash is unnerving. It’s kind of like getting over guilt of having fun
Excellent advice!
Thank you Leigh. I hope Kathering (?) is doing well