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An Experiment In Gratitude - Dare You To Try It!

Heather January 1st, 2016

I'd like to share with you all a video that I really love. It's an experiment in gratitude! Check out the video here.

Did you know that gratitude is scientifically proven to increase your levels of warm, fuzzy happiness? 😁 That's why we have exercises in gratitude built into the Growth Path on 7 Cups! Members, you can access your Growth Path here.

It would be really cool if we could try out our own 7 Cups version of the experiment in the video and experience some of the goodness for ourselves. This is my challenge to you!

Here's how you can join in:

➀ Who is your special person? Think of someone who has had a positive influence in your life. It might be a friend, relative, teacher, health care professional, or even someone on 7 Cups! You can share who it is below in this thread.

➁ What would you say to them? Write them a letter. Again, you can post it here in the forum if you'd like to share. We'd love to see!

➂ Do it! If it's possible to do so, send them the letter! You could post it, mail it, or phone them and read it out, just like in the video.

➃ Post here to let us know how it goes! What was their response? How did it make you feel?

BE BRAVE - I dare you!

Post below to let me know if you're joining in!

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poohbear1966 January 1st, 2016

Its my hubby.He has been there for me though so much and he still there for me.We can relate to each other and our problems.

SpencerT January 1st, 2016

It's a cute idea but the people/person I'd choose would think I was saying 'goodbye' and find it sinister!

BatWings89 January 1st, 2016

I sendt a teacher a philosophy book with a little note, saying thank you.
He wrote back, saying thank you, that it was nice to hear, that people appreciated his teaching efforts. So I guess it went well.

UrielAngel2015 January 1st, 2016

my cats salways there for me!smiley

1 reply
braveKitten4951 January 5th, 2016

@UrielAngel2015

I know what that means

I have 7 cats and a dog. They are my life, my smiles, my tears and my family.

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PolarCat January 1st, 2016

I actually did this on Christmas eve. :)

I sent some messages of appreciation to a few listeners/mentors that I wanted to show appreciation towards. I actually sent a message to my personal listener from my member account as well.

And outside of 7cups, I sent an email to my best friend.

They were all well received.

AeranDawn January 1st, 2016

Just as how you begin some days on the wrong end of the bed, 2016 started on the wrong side of 'good' for me because of familial complications. Just as I was breaking down, however, my good friend LuciFer comforted me the best he could with textual messages, as he was unable to physically be by my side. In gratitude, I told him a likeness of this: 'I love you. Thank you, and, I know this is so cliché, but thank you for everything. It just dawned on me- by the end of 2016, I will have known you for three years'. I was too shy to say any more, but I wanted to tell him, also, that I was grateful that he also considers me his 'baby sister'. (I was also going to tell him he was the best of my best friends, but that would have been feeding his ego, and so I decided against it.)

reservedexcitment January 1st, 2016

I am extremly grateful for my former boss, it was my first professional job after graduating my masters, he was my mentor, a wise voice, and my supervisor. Strangely, showed up, at random, when I needed someone to help, but wouldn't ask. He showed up when I was about to stab myself in the chest at work, in the kitchen. He was walking by when I got dizzy while running. He understood and could relate and gave me the time off and flexible schedule to deal with my sick mother,and then when I got sick. He made sure the co-workers didn't give me a hard time for my work performance. He helped me transition to my new job, with a new supervisor, he also spoke the world of good about me, at manager meetings, he was concerned about me when I couldn't eat. He's still happy to see me, even though I don't work for him anymore. I guess what i would say to him is

Thank you so much for your empathy, wise words, good advice, kindness, concern, consideration by keeping co-workers in line. You always made me feel welcomed and stopped me from making some bad decisions. It's strange how you show up when I need some help but is too embarassed to ask. I feel like I can say anything to you and you don't judge me and then forget about the strange things I have said to you. I know it's important for you to know, and it's very true, that you do make a difference in other people's live in a way larger than you might realize.

I did say something like this to him several months ago, and gave him a cactus as a present, this was at the same time he got his promotion (and I got a job in a new unit), and was leaving our unit. He was throughly flattered and repeatedly said that I didn't have to do this and thanks. That he does this for everyone. I think he was a bit uncomfortable because he was afraid I might say I love him, clearly didn't say that, that's just inappropriate.

So, I don't think this letter idea is good for all situations. This one turned out fine, we still talk and are good friends, and hopefully will be friends for a long time, I still have lots to learn from him. I didn't feel uncomfortable and was glad I said that.

1 reply
Heather OP January 12th, 2016

@reservedexcitment - This is really lovely. It illustrates really well how a little kindness can go a long way :)

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TabbyPhoenix January 1st, 2016

➀ Who is your special person? So many people, but a particular stand out is my friend Richard.

➁ What would you say to them? Richard. We may be busy and not get to talk every day, but you will always be one of my best friends. You showed me how it feels to be respected, to be cared for, to be loved. I base all my friendships and relationships off that now. I expect more out of people because you showed me it's possible to have more and that I might even deserve more. No matter where life takes the two of us, I truly hope we always make time for each other because you've changed my life in substantial ways that I'll never be able to pay you back for. Please stay amazing.

I will post his response when he replies :)

2 replies
TabbyPhoenix January 2nd, 2016

@TabbyPhoenix it made him super happy! I'm glad I did this.

1 reply
Heather OP January 12th, 2016

@TabbyPhoenix - That's wonderful! How did you feel after you did it?

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SuperNoodle33 January 1st, 2016

This was an very interesting experiment. I did take the challenge and I chose a special person and wrote them a letter of gratitude. After writing the letter I felt a release of forgiveness. Thank You for challengesmiley

sageclaire January 2nd, 2016

I am extremely grateful for friends who, though far away, care and take time for me. It means the world, and has saved my life.