Dear Tom:

You are welcome. What a powerful testimony to the effectiveness of keeping a gratitude journal!

Indeed, writing down things you’re grateful for helps shift your focus from what’s lacking or negative in your life to what’s positive and abundant. This can lead to a more optimistic outlook, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and help create a sense of contentment and well-being. It can also help build emotional resilience and strengthen relationships.

“Long term, I still need to find a solution for the work situation but this has definitely helped me focus on what I have and how lucky I am and realize that this is just a job and does not define me.“- I hope that long-term, you will find a solution for the work situation.

Good to read that, as I understand it, your identity and self-worth are not solely tied to your job/ work situation; that your values, interests, relationships, and other aspects of your life contribute to who you are as a person. It is important to find balance and fulfillment in various areas of life, rather than solely relying on work to define one’s sense of self.

anita

Dear Brian:

How are you? Last you posted was a reply to me on May 8 this year, almost six months ago (on your Is Life Itself Divine? thread). There you shared that you haven’t given up on connecting with people, that you still have a couple friends that you meet with regularly, and (in regard to your concern about people being ingenuous), you wrote: “I try to remind myself to focus on the intent of what people say rather than specific words. Most people aren’t trying to be disingenuous and use certain phrases out of habit.“-

– an excellent point. For example, when a person asks in a friendly way, upon coming across another person, How are you? while not having thought about the person at all before the meeting, or when a person says to a stranger: it was great talking to you! (while it wasn’t good or bad), these are phrases/ wordings said out of habit, common social niceties that help maintain politeness and smooth interactions. Even though they are not genuine, the are positive because of the intent behind them, a positive intent. And because these phrases do work when it comes to maintaining smooth interactions between people.

Dear Panditdevsharma:

I need your positive thinking post today, the day after (U.S.) elections day, so thank you: “Keeping hope through challenges is about looking for solutions, finding joy in small moments… (it) fosters growth, resilience, and strong relationships… It’s a powerful choice.”

I like what you posted Oct 9: “ Love often shines through in our connections with others. Acts of kindness, compassion, and support among friends and family can be seen as expressions of God’s love.“,

Sept 11: “In order to do what you love with joy, it’s important to align your actions with your passions and values… Focus on the process rather than the outcome, and approach each task with a mindset of gratitude and curiosity. Set small, achievable goals that inspire progress and celebrate every step forward“,

Aug 28: “Spiritual awakening often involves significant personal growth and transformation, but it can also bring emotional and sometimes physical pain. This pain occurs because awakening challenges your old beliefs, patterns, and attachments. As you let go of these old ways, you might experience discomfort, confusion, or sadness, which can be overwhelming.”

Jan 22 (the following can apply to a political disagreement) : ” 1. Stay Calm:... 2. Educate: Share information… calmly and respectfully to dispel misconceptions. 3. Express Boundaries: … request respectful discussions. 4. Focus on Common Ground: Emphasize shared values and similarities rather than differences. 5. Lead by Example: Demonstrate the principles of compassion and understanding… 6. Seek Dialogue: Encourage open-minded conversations to foster mutual understanding. 7. Surround Yourself: Connect with like-minded individuals who respect diversity to create a supportive environment.”

I hope to read more and more from you, Panditdevsharma!

anita

Positive thinking allows you to embrace life with optimism and gratitude. Keeping hope through challenges is about looking for solutions, finding joy in small moments, and finding joy in small moments. Positive thinking fosters growth, resilience, and strong relationships, paving the way for fulfillment and success. It’s a powerful choice.

Dear Krish

Many things cloud our judgement & these are mostly go by without any awareness that they are active. If one is tired, hungry or need the toilet then their patience is obscured. When we are fearful or come across something that pushes our hurt button we can be come angry. Jealousy clouds gratitude & generosity.

Get to know & trust yourself, as you wish to live a minimalist life it should be easier to become financially independent. You have no control over what others may think of you or say about you ( if you have no contact you do not have to listen to their opinions). Live your life true to your values and you stand a better chance of achieving happiness & satisfaction.

regards Roberta

In order to do what you love with joy, it’s important to align your actions with your passions and values. Begin by identifying what truly excites and motivates you, whether it’s in your work, hobbies, or relationships. Focus on the process rather than the outcome, and approach each task with a mindset of gratitude and curiosity. Set small, achievable goals that inspire progress and celebrate every step forward. Surround yourself with positive influences and prioritize self-care. By staying present, embracing challenges, and cultivating a sense of purpose, you can find fulfillment in what you do.

Dear StormMako:

You are welcome, and thank you (!)  for responding positively and with gratitude to my post of 2 days ago,  even though I brought up childhood trauma, which is painful.

“I am always feeling guilty about stuff that I shouldn’t and changing my way of thinking is difficult especially when I’m always so worried about inconveniencing someone“- if it helps (if it does), you are welcome to type away your feelings in regard to inconveniencing people: does it feel like walking on eggshells, hardly being able to relax and .. just be yourself?

anita

Dear Clara

I hope you have a good trip.  Along with the causes that Helcat stated at the moment fear drives my anger ie If dad has a fall I cannot lift him by myself so when dad’s unco -operativeness puts us both in danger of this I have to slow down and realign into my parasympathetic system.  The problem is that if anger is not counteracted it becomes more frequent and stronger. Gratitude Love patience & compassion are the antidotes.   Working with Anger by Thubten Chodren is well worth a read plus I am  currently reading a book called Prescence.

Best wishes Roberta

Dear Arden:

Thank you for wising me well, and you are welcome! I feel tired, exhausted, also because it’s so hot outside!

“Lately I feel like I have outgrown my friends a lot“- reads like it to me.

“I feel like my bubble has grown a bit and got thickened (?)“- I think so.

“I hope that this is not the bad kind of ego talking here“- no, I think you need mature friends, on your level.

“… I am lucky to write here and get responses from you as well, wanted to express that gratitude, not because it’s good to express, but because it’s really a lucky thing to have. Honestly.“-thank you, Arden. I feel myself smiling, and I think this is the first time I am smiling this Sunday, early afternoon!

anita

Hi N20

I don’t have OCD. I have C-PTSD (still an anxiety disorder) due to multiple severe traumas throughout my life. At my worst, I was doped to the gills on medication to numb myself from everything I was feeling.

Coming off the medication was overwhelming because I had forgotten how to relax without it.

Yoga helped me to learn to relax. Therapy taught me how to process my emotions. It was a long process with everything that was backed up over the years. Meditation taught me to disconnect from thoughts and created larger gaps between them. Imagine how good it would feel to have a gap where you are not worrying about these things.

It is a journey and a process letting go of these things and changing how you see yourself.

With any condition there are ups and downs. Recently, I have had a down during pregnancy and after having a baby. I learned that hormones have a significant impact on how we feel.

I dealt with intrusive thoughts after birth. Therapy was helpful with that. I learned that there are triggers that cause intrusive thoughts to occur. Lack of sleep, noise sensitivity, pain and hunger, feeling overwhelmed are some of mine. Managing needs is helpful. I would also say resentment is a factor. Do you resent yourself and who you are now?

I also learned that the more important you perceive a thought to be, the more often it will occur. So the trick is to change your views about these intrusive thoughts. If you calmly accept it is happening and move on, don’t worry about it the mind no longer flags it as important. In time intrusive thoughts occur less and less. Potentially, even stopping.

I found that creating new thought habits was beneficial. Practicing gratitude was particularly helpful. Having good experiences and meeting good people is also helpful.

That is all I have time to write at the moment. I will write more to you later.

Love and best wishes! ❤️🙏

Dear Mr A

Unfortunately you appear to adhere to a society which promotes excessive wealth and intellect over kindness & compassion and  women are  often regarded as 2nd class citizens especially if they fail to produce a male heir.

Learning about Loving Kindness Meditations & practicing them alongside gratitude meditations may help raise your emotional IQ. Also I get a Daily Good by email each day I find it interesting & stimulating you could try reading this with your wife each evening, it may give you something to talk about on a level playing field.

Kind regards

Roberta