Action for happiness?

[Ali_H]

Well I've dipped into this site hoping to find lively discussion and a sharing of ideas etc around helping to make our respective worlds happier but 90% of the content reads as if it should have been posted on the Action for Depression page - is there confusion around what the purpose of this site is or am I looking for the site to offer something not in it's remit?

One of my own personal 'actions' for happiness has, since October, been keeping an intermittent 'Gratitude log' where at the end of the day I physically write down 10 things/events/interaction etc for which I am grateful for. A typical log may read:

Thank you for my job.

Thank you for the listening ear of Dr Jones today who really understood what I was trying to explain.

Thank you for the parking space that was empty when I got to the car park - thank you

Thank you for last nights sleep

Thank you for my being able to pay my bills

Thank you for the love and friendships in my life

Thank you for the sunny weather today

Thank you for a low fatigue day

Thank you for my fresh salad lunch ... Mmmmm just right in the sunshine!

Thank you for the chatter and laughter I've shared today

Thank you

There are times when I don't want to write it but these are the times I get the most returns from the activity and there are stretches of time I don't physically need to write it down as I am remembering to say my silent thank yous as I go through my day.

The process has helped me be a more grounded and positive person and thus helps me contribute to a more positive environment whilst having a positive effect on my daily health for sure. I am no longer drawn into those negative moanfests which seem to grow out of nowhere and suck the energy out of a soul. Now I don't really hear the moanfests - because they no longer happen or because they no longer gain my attention/focus/energy? Who knows but life is definitely less intense and sluggish without them.

All the best

Ali