Count your blessings!
Have you ever heard the saying, "Count your blessings" to lead a happy and fulfilled life? What does that really mean, though?
When we take the time to count our blessings, we are shifting our focus from what we lack to what we do have.
One way to begin is to keep a gratitude journal and write down what you’re thankful for each day. You can also write them down on a small piece of paper and put it in a gratitude jar!
Participation question:
What are you grateful for in life?
When you focus on counting your blessings in a difficult situation, how does it make you feel differently than when you are thinking the world's against you?
Helpful Videos:
Helpful Resources:
Harvard scientists find another secret to longevity: Feeling grateful
Experiencing gratitude associated with greater longevity among older adults
Seeking Help
Mental stress can cause us not to be able to see the good things in life and lead to excessive rumination or worries which can result in serious health problems. If you have serious, long-term problems with negative thinking and feeling depressed, see your doctor or talk to a therapist if they are related to any mental challenges.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation
https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
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@amiablePeace77
What are you grateful for in life?
My partner and his family. That's about it.
When you focus on counting your blessings in a difficult situation, how does it make you feel differently than when you are thinking the world's against you?
Doesn't really make much of a difference in my case. I've tried, gratitude journal and all. A lot lately, since I have time and chance in the hospital. Hasn't made me think differently at all.
@amiablePeace77 count your blessings, I do every second of every day ❤ I don't need to write down all the things I'm grateful for, I just have to look around me ❤
when depression takes over, or bad emotions/events, seeing gratitude can be real hard. But in those hard times. Just gotta make sure to slow down, and do the little things that make you smile, and soon it will all be ok again ❤
I've been frustrated with myself after the operation, I can't do anything 🙁, but I found a way and I worked hard, through my frustrations and finally did a painting I'm proud of ❤
@Tinywhisper11
It does not help to speed up when things are difficult, and depression often makes everything so much harder so good that you slow down and take it easier. Sending you comforting hugs.
Very expressive picture! 👍
@Tinywhisper11 that is amazing. I am sorry that you are facing so many challenges but your natural creativity comes through in that painting. I am amazed at your ability to do things.
This is a site with people that do paintings with their mouth. https://mfpausa.com/ You are as amazing as them.
@amiablePeace77
What are you grateful for in life?
When you focus on counting your blessings in a difficult situation, how does it make you feel differently than when you are thinking the world's against you?
I am grateful for many things, I am sure. In fact, I only have to look around or watch the news to feel rather sheltered and privileged.
I've never felt the world was "against me" (or I could be "against everyone"). This state of mind is for those who have other personalities.
Sure there has been some sad or hairy situations I had to go through, but it wasn't the right time to count my blessings. One can count on those blessings only when you have the space to step back. For instance, someone who is bed-bound in a hospital is not necessarily going to think that "at least the mattress is nice and I could have lost BOTH legs".
@amiablePeace77
What are you grateful for in life?
Aside from basics like food & shelter, I am grateful for being alive, and trying to appreciate every day as it comes - trying to stay in the moment, present.
When you focus on counting your blessings in a difficult situation, how does it make you feel differently than when you are thinking the world's against you?
When in a difficult situation, I tend to managing emotions firstly, as immediate regulation is needed, as focusing on 'blessings' may not be appropriate at the moment. Only when that has been achieved to a manageable level, can I focus on gratitude thinking.
@amiablePeace77
i am grateful for having an objectively easy life, education, my healthy parents and brother, for 7cups’ community and for my lovely self
when i focus on my blessings, it makes me feel happy somehow, and it has been particularly helpful lately
@amiablePeace77
What are you grateful for in life?
Everything I have. Most especially everything and everyone that shaped me into who I am right now whether through good ways or not good ways.
When you focus on counting your blessings in a difficult situation, how does it make you feel differently than when you are thinking the world's against you?
Thanks to all my blessings and counting my blessings I’ve long realized, understood and accepted that the world is not against me or against anyone else for that matter.
@akunknown
I do not believe that the world is against anyone. Human interaction is complex, and things happen in life, but I understand that when someone is deep in pain and one bad thing happens after the other it can feel like this. This is a time when focusing on our blessings really helps in my opinion. Glad it helps you too.
@amiablePeace77
What are you grateful for in life?
I am grateful for having good education.
I am grateful for being able to help other people.
I am grateful for the body God has given me.
I am grateful for the food that is available to me.
When you focus on counting your blessings in a difficult situation, how does it make you feel differently than when you are thinking the world's against you?
When I focus on counting my blessings , I feel good about myself. I feel grateful for living in this moment. Thinking that the world is against me makes me feel worse. It is just a negative thought or belief inside our heads. Negative Automatic thoughts like these only hurt our ownselves and stop us from achieving our goals in life.