Reasons to be cheerful

joanlawson

Hi

If I feel a bit down, I sometimes write a list entitled Reasons to be cheerful. I find that it concentrates my mind to focus on the positive aspects of my life.

There is some research which has been done into what makes people happy, and one of the techniques to help people to feel happier and more content was to try to focus on a few positive thoughts each day.

My reasons to be cheerful for today are:

1. Meeting people on this site, who are so kind and supportive.

2. Realising that although I have arthritis, there are so many things I can do and achieve in my life.

3. My cat, Tommy Tucker, who was a bedraggled little stray when he appeared nearly 6 years ago, and is now a wonderful, slightly chubby, friend.

What are your reasons to be cheerful :?: I would like to hear them.

Joan

tkachev

My reasons are;
Five lovely children
No mortgage left to pay
A great relationship with my brothers and sister
This forum definately
My Partners lovely legs
The new hip
Memories of my past 46 years
There you go.......
Take care all
Elizabeth

joanlawson

Hi Elizabeth

I like your list. You are certainly lucky to have 5 children, even if they do drive you mad on occasions. Being childless, I was so lucky to be able to adopt my twins, and I can't imagine what life would have been like without them. I am always envious of people who have big families.

Joan

tkachev

Hello Joan

Your twins sound lovely.I think you have suceeded very well bringing up two beautiful children.I know they bring you lots of joy.
I never wanted a big family.I used to think my mum was mad to have 5 children especially as she would be working part-time and ironing until midnight.I vowed I would never do the same but life is full of unexpected twists and turns.....

Take care Elizabeth

joanlawson

Hi Elizabeth

As you say, life is full of surprises, and we never know what the future will bring.

Adopting my twins was the biggest surprise I have ever had, and it was a bit like winning the lottery twice over :!: We had only just been put on the waiting list, and had been told that it could be a couple of years, so not to get too excited. After trying for a baby for 6 years at that point, I was very down. Then suddenly we got a phone call to say we were getting twins, a girl and a boy, and could we have them as soon as possible :!: :!: They are 38 now, and I am very proud of them.

Joan

frogmorton

Ahhh!!!
Nice thread
Good to count your blessings sometimes.
I have loads...
Good friends here and in the 'real' world
2 healthy kids and one step daughter.
A good husband (2nd go though!)
A lovely home
My car
Family
Maybe not loads of money but no debts (like when I was with ex!)
A generally happy mood (most of the time)
Toni x

page35

joan i love to here you talk about your twins it always makes my smile and wells me up a little in a happy way (if you know what i mean)
2 of my aunts couldnt have kids one wasnt botherd but the other one it broke her heart, she is 65 now and still it upsets her. my kids are her substitute grand kids, i send her photos and visit and my son has been in the news paper a few times for his football so send her cuttings, so when her mates show off there kids a grandkids stuff my aunt can do the same
my list
two lovely children
good OH who loves me, god knows why
family that care
good friends
this site
CAKES

suziev

i always thinks it's reason to be grateful and i have so many:
lovely kids
great husband
roof over my head
still having my parents when so many of my friends have lost theres.
suzie x

frogmorton

Ah yes Suzie
still having your parents IS a blessing. You enjoy them
Toni x
Hey Sharon
Not a bad looking bloke yours either add it to your list
Toni x

page35

yes your right Toni
handsome OH that loves me

and suzie yes i still have my mum and am grateful for that sadly dad pasted away a long time ago.

page (sharon)

jordan7j

Hi everyone, yes joan, you bringme to tears when you talk about your twins!!! my lis is
4 healthy happy children
husband who is sick himself, but supportive
friends and family (1 sister 1 brother amd their families)
everyone on here, very important!!
a lovely home (even if it is in London)
being able to still work (with difficulty!)
being able to get out with my 2 daughters when well

gickygawky

Here is my list for today

-Amazing husband
-2 lovely catties
-Great friends
-Nice house and low maintenance but pretty garden
-Not in debt
-Exciting future ahead
-Krispy Kreme Donuts
-Peanut butter on toast
-Converse sneakers
-Sun shining on autumn leaves
-Got my flu jab today and swine flu booked for next week
-Good GP surgery and Rheumy help me
-I am an optimist and wear rose tinted glasses most days

A x

mellman01

I was going to write a list but me pen ran out of ink and then the dog chewed up me note book just call me lucky

frogmorton

mellman01 wrote:

I was going to write a list but me pen ran out of ink and then the dog chewed up me note book just call me lucky

A knackered caravan
and a shack full of kitchen units....

carol101

I put a 'pros' and 'cons' list in the 'doodle pad' topic last night

Carol XX

carol101

This was my list of the positive things

1. finally being diagnosed after 18yrs
2. still holding down a 40hr week job
3. still have a loving husband
4. an incentive to loose weight
5. still do my hobby of knitting and crochet
6. can still walk most of the time
7. people are a bit more understanding now my 'back pain' has a name
8. i have found this site where i can scream and shout and everybody understands
9. i have made so many new friends (you guys)
10. I AM STILL ALIVE!


The negative list can stay where it is!

Carol XX

frogmorton

Well done Carol
Nice list!
All positive Lots to be pleased about there.
Toni
I LIKE this thread

joanlawson

Hi everyone

Thank you for all your replies. I think we all have so many positives in our lives, but it is easy to forget them sometimes.

The technique mentioned in the research into what makes people happy was to just focus on a few good things each day (no more than 3) Then think really hard about each one in turn for a short period, trying to understand what it is about them that makes you happy. Try to think of some different ones each day, and use the same technique.

In this way, you are training your brain to become more positive, and this can increase your sense of happiness and contentment with your lot. We should not waste energy worrying about things we cannot change, or think if only this or that were different. These are the negative thoughts which can drag us down.

I am trying to use this technique, and I think my happiness levels have increased recently.

Joan

valval

things that make me happy
my oh he lovely
rehab he makes me smile (not got love bite though)
my boys both growing into lovely men
my mum
a sunny day
paddleing in the sea

joanlawson

Hi Val

That was a very sweet list, especially about your boys. Paddling in the sea would be on my list too. I love the sea, and one of my greatest pleasures is to swim in the sea, but only somewhere warm like Greece or the Canary Isles.

Joan

suzster

well, my reasons to be cheerful are sometimes weighed down by the negatives, but today was a good day so

my 2 lovely girls,
a lovely husband,
my friends (the ones who abandoned me after RA came along aren't worth worry about!)
my 2 gorgeous, but slightly over affectionate and 'licky' cats (ginger and olie)
my fluffy rabbit, (julian) he's stroppy but still so adorable!!
fudge (there will always be fudge, no mater how bad, achy or sad i feel!)
i to still have my parents, who are always there to help me with appointments, shopping or anything really!
donuts (for reason why see fudge!)
sue

joyful164

Things that make me happy:-

Seeing my 5 lovely grandchildren
One lovely daughter, a loving son, 3 dil's, 2 step sons and a son in law (one set in Canada, so I don't see them very much)
My adopted daughter and grandson Sebbie
1 very loving supportive hubby - he makes me laugh.
100's of friends from the car clubs we belong to. when we are out together, we all look out for each other and have a good laugh
all my arty friends - shall be seeing some of them tomorrow and more at another exhibition at the weekend.
and all my new friends on the forum
I'm happy because I love my art
I love the beautiful countryside. All the autumn colours are beautiful at the moment. It makes me happy to look at it all and wish I could get it all down on paper before it goes.
I'm happy with my Rheumy team because I know they are trying to do the best for me and my GP.
So there, have I missed anyone. If I have then I apologise.

And Rehab. What charity work is it that you do?
Happy hugs from
Joy

carol101

I have a good reason to be happy tomorrow, if a little sad.

I will be seeing my dear sister-in-law who is loosing her battle with cancer. We live in Kent but Mary moved to Leicester in the 80's so we don't see her that often.

Everytime we see her, we're thinking it will be the last time so tomorrow is a happy day as she is down here in Kent

Carol X

page35

A really nice thing happened this evening
was in chemist getting prescription for my son. my daughter started to pretend to cough as someone else had just coughed (she is 2). lady pharmacy assistant asked is she ok, yes i say, shes just playing.
with that lady goes out back and brings out lovely knitted nurse doll which she hands to my daughter, i say how lovely it is knitted and how cleaver she is to do that, reminds me of my nan as she used to knit similar dolls.
anyway meds are ready i give lady back the doll and she says your daughter can keep it :shock:
it is brand new and lady tells me she knits lots,so i think she knits them and when a sick child comes in gives them out, how kind is that well it made my day.
am going to take her a thank you card tomorrow

skezier

Hi Sharon,

I just love the idea of her imitating someone coughing Thanks for you post cus its reminded me how nice it was to see you all and little un helping clean out the chickens

You take care and I will get back to you but just now I am falling apart a bit, it is only temporary I promise. Luv, ((( ))) and bubbles Cris xx

Hi Joan,

I'm in a bit of a bad time just now but something has cheered me up today..... My lame sheep seems to be responding to her antibiotics Doesn't sound much but its made me feel less scared. x

chris7

Hi Joan

My reasons to be cheerful include
- My sis and best friend whom I have shared 49 years (+ about 9 months before that).
- Though I sadly missed out on children, my three stunningly beautiful and clever nieces who see me as a second mum (no this is not bias they really are-honest)
- Happy memories of childhood and a Mum and Dad who were the best ever!
- Being able to read and listen to music.
- Still being able to work, and with such nice people.
- Having sole charge of the remote control!
- Hot baths
- Bacon Butties
- and having found this site, and not feeling so confused about arthur or worrying about my limp.
Chris