I have a full, daily gratitude practice. I use a gratitude journal every morning where I write five to ten things I am thankful for that day. I also have an email gratitude practice that includes several friends. We each write nine things we are grateful for, the tenth is for things we did right or wrong that day, eleven is confirming that we prayed and meditated that day and twelve is for situations and people that we want to pray for at the moment. I have learned to practice gratitude even in my darkest moments.
Gratitude List
I am thankful for my mental illness as it brought me to an intensive outpatient program where I am learning to apply DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) skills to my life. They are very effective.
I am grateful I am not feeling worse. I am in the midst of rapid cycling; it can always be more severe.
I am thankful for my sons. When I am at my darkest, my sons are my primary protective factors against suicidal ideation.
I am thankful for my family of origin. Although we are not perfect, I receive a lot of love and support from several family members.
I am grateful for this blog as it helps me tremendously. My wish is that I can reach at least one person and bring them hope.
I am extremely thankful that November 2022 marks the fourth anniversary of not being hospitalized. Before that, I was in the hospital twice a year.
These are a few things I am grateful for even though my mental health is not optimal at the moment. I challenge you to sit down and write a gratitude list. It may make a difference and make you feel better. I know it does just that for me.
Take good care,
Christine
Surrender to the pain. Then surrender to the good. It's there and more is on the way. -- Melody Beattie, Beyond Codependency
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