Last Sunday we asked you to share what you are grateful for – and the answers are thoughtful and uplifting. Read on for more.
This lockdown seems like it will go on forever, but there will be an end…but how do we keep our attitudes up in the meantime, and combat depression or other mental/emotional challenges?
Some studies suggest that gratitude can be a major influence in our level of happiness, and can even have lasting positive changes in our brains.
We’ll keep this thread open for a while so you have time to think about what you are most grateful for…let us know in the comments!
COMMENTS
12 responses to “Open Thread: Gratitude”
I am thankful that my children and I are healthy. I am thankful that I retired just when my son with Down Syndrome would need for me to be home full-time due to school closures. I am thankful that my retirement pension allows me to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table, and the ability to help others in need in our community. I am thankful that my daughter has an essential worker job that doesn’t expose her to many people at work. I am thankful for the early morning quiet hours to drink my coffee, listen to the different birds outside my doorway, and to listen to the morning church Mass on TV. I am thankful for my treadmill to get daily exercise. I am thankful that we have a store nearby that is empty and safe enough in the morning to shop without picking up any virus. I am thankful for having the time to learn new things online (telepractice as speech pathologist) needed for my upcoming contract work in the Fall. I am thankful for my sister taking care of our 96 year old mother at home during this pandemic. I am thankful for God.
Not in so many words, but my dad would have agreed with Joni Mitchell. He always used to say, “you don’t know when you’re well off.” A lyric from Joni was “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” You don’t know what you don’t know. This isn’t a gratitude comment as much as maybe pragmatic. . Who knew where’d be 6 months ago. Who knew where we’d be over 3 years ago. I won’t go there. If we don’t know when we’re well off now, it makes me shudder.
Rumi a 13th century poet said “once we accept the troubles we have been given the door opens” I am grateful that during the shut down when I learned a childhood friend was dying in another state I was able to focus on what I could do. I sent flowers every other week I sent cookies for easter I sent food delivered for the family and her sweet daughter put the phone to her ear so I could say a few last words. Finally on a very sad day I joined with friends through out the country while her church live streamed her funeral. I am grateful for all the opportunities to celebrate her life and friendship in this painful time of goodbyes
I’m grateful for a roof over my head, food ( thanks to Trader Joes senior hour ) and for senior planet teaching me to use the Internet. Since I live in a small apartment with only a view of brick walls in the air well, I’m glad for the time I take my dog for a short walk. I would like a longer walk but too many are not wearing masks or distancing! But back to grateful, due to being taught to use the Internet, I can email and Facebook with friends and family , virtually visit museums , zoos and other enjoyable things! Thank You Senior Planet!
I really love life. Am grateful to have a home and daughter and friends. Bring 87, I have to deal with the vicissitudes of finally getting old, but that makes me cherish my luck of being alive even more. Hope and blessings to everyone out there. We are sad for all who lost family members to this terrible virus.
I am grateful to wake up every morning to the chirping of the birds, having my loving daughter, my mother, brothers, sisters, and their families, friends, and my health.
I am grateful to see the sun, trees, flowers, birds, geese and ducks in the pond in the northern end of Central Park when I walk there.
I am also grateful that my daughter came across Senior Planet Exploration Center and I became a member. I have made a few friends from some of the classes I have taken. I miss the OATS staff being at SPEC to share warm greetings.
Even though we are going through a pandemic right now, life is still good. We must all find enjoyment in the small things life has to offer.
I trust everyone will stay safe and be well.
The children’s book, the Invisible Thread, gives everyone, not matter your age, that feeling you are connected to others no matter how far away, no matter the difference in age. In isolation, you can still be connected in thoughts, by phone, via social media, by Zoom. Take advantage of knowing you DO HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS!
Appreciating family and close friends, how critically important it is to be WITH them on a weekend for a socially distancing picnic. Not finding fault with masks, getting to know them better with quality time spent.
I am grateful to be able to help others. Frankly, it keeps my mind off of abject terror.
I am also grateful for my friends and loved ones. I have a roof over my head, food, relative sanity. I say affirmations before I get up in the morning. God is good.
I’m am grateful for some of the ways my life has changed for the better under the threat of the Corona virus. My husband and I take very early morning walks for about two hours and for the first time, we do have the time to “smell the roses”. We take time to admire the trees and flowers in a way we never had the time to do before even though we are retired. We use the cell phone app SEEK if we can’t identify them. We look at the architectural details of some of the old and modern buildings. We’re discovering streets that we have never walked on before. We live in downtown New York City with the usual deafening noises. We are now enjoying much quieter streets and the fresher air.
I am thankful that my life plan community has not been hard hit by CoVid-19 like so many other similar communities. I am grateful for online video communications like televeda.com, seniorplanet.org, zoom and Facebook Rooms. I am extremely happy that nextdoor.com started a help map where I found several neighbors willing to shop for my essential medical supplies to keep my supplemental oxygen equipment functional. And I appreciate the opportunity to state my thanks here in this open thread on seniorplanet.org.
I am a retired LCSW psychotherapist who recently had brain surgery for an acoustic neuroma. I am so very grateful to my doctors and support staff. During this time of COVID 19, I am fortunate enough to have the help of a wonderful home health aide, Senior Planet (to keep me informed, entertained and amused) and a loving family.
I believe that sometimes under the worst of circumstances, we find the very best that life has to offer. I overlook a magnificent, small garden. When the weather cooperates, I am able to sit outdoors to enjoy the sunlight, the warmth of the Spring season, and simply be grateful
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