Stopping to smell the roses

[goldylamont]

I'm listening to a radio show right now about a young girl (15 yrs) who was born HIV positive. She's pretty much a normal teen, loves drama class, has dreams, wasn't supposed to still be alive, laughs and is bubbly like teenage girls. Just getting to the age where she wants to date so she has her friend try and help set her up with some cute guys, and dealing with explaining to them how they don't have to worry about catching AIDS from a little kiss, how actually it's more dangerous for her if the boy might have some type of infection that her immune system couldn't deal with.

And, I'm just having a moment, which has been happening more often where I want to just stop everything and be so thankful for everything that is going right, rather than wrong in my life. I just wanted to share this because it was heavy on my mind right now. Wherever we are at and however bad we may feel, keep waiting for moments to surface where we can appreciate the good things that we may take for granted. I just needed to say this. Wishing all of you well! 

[isseeu]

   I loved your message-thank you for sharing it.   I have waves of gratitude at times now too and sometimes they take my breath away because I've been in such a dark dark place.  They are becoming more frequent.  Today at work, a student brought me some home made cookies... .and this is final exam week-how she found the time... .and I turned into a blubbering mess after she left my office.  Her note of thanks that was tucked inside the little foil-lined box (that originally housed a pair of new athletic shoes) made me smile.  I'm not a f-up, not defined by my painful relationship with my ex that almost sucked the life out of me.

[Octoberfest]

It is true- it is so important to stop and realize how fortunate we are for the positive things in our lives, even when it seems like they are all overshadowed by a few negative ones.  It is truly all about perspective... .but it is awfully difficult to not let ones' perspective be clouded.  I know for the longest time I ignored all of the blessings in my life because of my experience with my BPDex.  I still do, to a large extent. 

Trying to appreciate them more 

[heartandwhole]

Gratitude is such a powerful feeling, I do believe it is a huge boost to mental health.  It's a great message to remind us, goldylamont, thank you .   

What is going on that you are grateful for?

[Perfidy]

Gratitude list... .Yes... .My counsellor is big in that.

I'm grateful for... .

My healthy body... .

My improving mind... .

My job...

My family... .

My good friends... .

The sunshine... .

The air I breathe... .

The food I eat... .

The support from you...

My life.

[Surnia]

  goldylamont

A great insight. I am so happy for you. An thank you for posting this. 

A big  for all here sharing about gratitude.

[Iwalk-Heruns]

Very nice and thoughtful post goldy! Shows you are a good guy.

I believe in doing this too but I admit sometimes I forget and get caught up in all the hurt and bs.

One of the things that really snaps me into reality is when I see the wounded warriors commercial and think jeez!  What the hell do I have to complain about. The trauma that these people have gone through to fight for our liberties is unbelievable. I have a soft spot for the people that fight for our country. Not to forget all the other people suffering in this world. Including those on this site that truly are suffering too.

Thanks for the nice reminder!

[goldylamont]

thank you guys also for the kind words! I liked Perfidy's idea of a gratitude list so i wanted to throw mine out there, just as an exercise to the universe out of thanks!

I am grateful for!

* my friends, my family

* my music and the fact that i am able to make it

* my job which i love and allows me to work from home

* my gym and the addictive and healing saunas!

* my healthy ex's for showing me how a real woman carries herself

* my lovely apartment that is full of light everyday. hell, i thank my big windows!

* the books i've been reading for insight and entertainment

* ALL OF YOU ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD!