Posted by SLS on November 27, 2008, at 8:14:42
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I know that many of us do not feel that we have reasons to be thankful for. I lived that misery for many years. However, even before I began responding to treatment, I would make gratitude lists. I am all but sure that each one of us has things to be grateful for. Shelter and food are not things that come to everyone. Those are the things that I would start my lists with. I know people whom had been homeless - real smart and decent people. I won't bore you with the other items on my list, but the more time I spend making a list, the longer the list becomes, and the greater is my sense of momentary contentment. Gratitude lists can be a valuable coping tool when in the midst of a deep depression. Remember, depression is a liar. You can't always trust your thoughts and feelings. However, if you have something in front of you in black-and-white, it acts as a sort of reality check.
I hope that people can find things that they are thankful for. It might make life seem a little bit more livable. Gratitude lists might work for everyone. I would just discourage people from going out of their way to create an ingratitude list. For just this one day, let us try to reward ourselves with a sense of having some good things in our lives. You can go back to listing your miseries tomorrow.
I imagine this post is going to anger some people. Flame me tomorrow. I'll be watching the parade, the football games, and enjoying a good meal. You better believe that these are things I am grateful for.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:865459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081123/msgs/865459.html