CheckEmoji Community · the emoji forum
🏠 Home 🆕 What's new ❓ Unanswered 🔥 Popular 📡 RSS Members 👥 0 online log in · register
Home › Society › Psychology › Practice gratitude?

Practice gratitude?

Started by placidwolf27 · · 👁 3 views · 28 replies

📡 Subscribe to replies

Participants placidwolf27goldenbison36casualharbor9Nicholas Gonzalez8Lawrence Bailey77Larry Cooper2gentlesailor25Jesse Mendoza4swiftpanther26
placidwolf27 placidwolf27 Active MemberOP
170 messages
joined Mar 2012
#1 ·
They claim gratitude is some sort of inherently positive emotion—there are even entire self-help squads out there preaching these ritualized daily gratitude practices, suggesting they supposedly bolster one's psychological resilience over the long haul.

I just don't grasp what makes gratitude "positive" in essence, or why it should be viewed as such... nor am I clear on what one is actually supposed to be thankful for, or even why it matters in the first place.

I mean, seriously... what is that even about?
goldenbison36 goldenbison36 Member
17 messages
joined Jan 2015
#2 ·
placidwolf27 said:They claim gratitude is some sort of inherently positive emotion—there are even entire self-help squads out there preaching these ritualized daily gratitude practices, suggesting they supposedly bolster one's psychological resilience over the long haul.

I just don't grasp what makes gratitude "positive" in essence, or why it should be viewed as such... nor am I clear on what one is actually supposed to be thankful for, or even why it matters in the first place.

I mean, seriously... what is that even about?

Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.
casualharbor9 casualharbor9 Active Member
168 messages
joined Feb 2010
#3 ·
It’s positive, I suppose, if you look at it from the perspective of building social structures—the kind of stuff needed for any community to actually function. It’s just incredibly draining to deal with an ungrateful person who doesn't give back what you put in.

goldenbison36 said:Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.

Are you suggesting sociology isn't a science?

goldenbison36 said:Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.

Where on earth are you getting that idea about quantum physics?
placidwolf27 placidwolf27 Active MemberOP
170 messages
joined Mar 2012
#4 ·
goldenbison36 said:Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.

But grateful for what, exactly? Honestly, things just... happen. They are what they are. I don't really see the point in being thankful to anyone or anything; processes unfold, life moves along its inevitable course, and I am merely a byproduct of those circumstances... so, who exactly am I supposed to be thanking? I certainly didn't ask for permission or request any favors from the heavens...

goldenbison36 said:Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.

To be perfectly honest, if my imagination were tasked with drafting a "best-case scenario," it would likely choose to avoid the exercise altogether...

goldenbison36 said:Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.

No, they aren't—at least not in any meaningful or rigorous sense. Let's not get ahead of ourselves with pseudo-science...

goldenbison36 said:Just write down ten things you're thankful for. Anything at all. Nature. Fate. God. The Universe. Read them every single day and let that sense of appreciation grow.

Also, write out the absolute best-case scenario for your life—everything you want the world to hand you. Read that every day, too.

I'm not entirely sure how the mechanics work. You could ask a spiritual advisor for answers, but psychologists and scientists haven't quite cracked it yet. Even some folks in quantum physics are looking into gratitude and what mystics call the Law of Attraction.

Personally, I’ve been practicing this gratitude thing. I can't explain the logic behind it, but by focusing on my first list, I'm actually manifesting the second one. I've been at it for a month now, and things are already starting to shift for the better.

But what, specifically, or how... what exactly is changing for the better?
Nicholas Gonzalez8 Nicholas Gonzalez8 Regular
293 messages
joined Feb 2015
#5 ·
A few years back, I was going through a really dark patch—full-on depression. To try and pull myself out of it, I started keeping this gratitude journal. I’d write down every single win, no matter how tiny, and all those little moments that didn't suck—good people I met, small victories, you name it. Sometimes it was just discovering a killer new burger joint, sometimes it was stumbling upon a great song on Spotify, or even just finally passing a brutal exam at State University. Honestly, on paper, they seem like nothing. But for me? It actually worked... it shifted my entire perspective and helped me see the bigger picture when things felt bleak 🙂 And man, I started actually enjoying the day-to-day life again.
Lawrence Bailey77 Lawrence Bailey77 Regular
302 messages
joined Mar 2015
#6 ·
placidwolf27 said:They claim gratitude is some sort of inherently positive emotion—there are even entire self-help squads out there preaching these ritualized daily gratitude practices, suggesting they supposedly bolster one's psychological resilience over the long haul.

I just don't grasp what makes gratitude "positive" in essence, or why it should be viewed as such... nor am I clear on what one is actually supposed to be thankful for, or even why it matters in the first place.

I mean, seriously... what is that even about?

thanks for stopping by

that’s about all I have to say regarding what

there is an old American proverb that goes... "it matters more to be kind than to be right
Larry Cooper2 Larry Cooper2 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2015
#7 ·
I tried this out for a bit, and honestly, it really did wonders for me. The thing is, just feeling that genuine gratitude? It’s such a killer feeling on its own—it just brings this sense of peace. I used to love doing this right before hitting the sack: just thanking the universe (or God, whatever you vibe with) for like 5 to 10 specific things about my life so far. It's a solid reminder that even when everything seems totally screwed, it passes—just like the good times do. This whole practice really pulls you back into the moment and finds you some inner calm. At least it worked for me. Good luck!
gentlesailor25 gentlesailor25 Active Member
63 messages
joined Dec 2011
#8 ·
placidwolf27 said:But grateful for what, exactly? Honestly, things just... happen. They are what they are. I don't really see the point in being thankful to anyone or anything; processes unfold, life moves along its inevitable course, and I am merely a byproduct of those circumstances... so, who exactly am I supposed to be thanking? I certainly didn't ask for permission or request any favors from the heavens...

To be perfectly honest, if my imagination were tasked with drafting a "best-case scenario," it would likely choose to avoid the exercise altogether...

No, they aren't—at least not in any meaningful or rigorous sense. Let's not get ahead of ourselves with pseudo-science...

But what, specifically, or how... what exactly is changing for the better?

Well, nothing really changes, obviously. It’s just that you feel a bit better about things.🤣 Or, I guess, your perception shifts a little.

To me, the whole thing seems pretty pointless, honestly. It feels kind of like practicing forced humility—you know, where people say, "hey, things could always be worse, so let's just be grateful for what we have," regardless of how bad the situation actually is.🤣
Larry Cooper2 Larry Cooper2 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2015
#9 ·
^ Honestly, just shifting how you see things is a massive deal, if 🙂
nothing else. No ritual or prayer is gonna do squat if you aren't ready to step up and help yourself first. That’s always gotta be step one.
Lawrence Bailey77 Lawrence Bailey77 Regular
302 messages
joined Mar 2015
#10 ·
gentlesailor25 said:Well, nothing really changes, obviously. It’s just that you feel a bit better about things.🤣 Or, I guess, your perception shifts a little.

To me, the whole thing seems pretty pointless, honestly. It feels kind of like practicing forced humility—you know, where people say, "hey, things could always be worse, so let's just be grateful for what we have," regardless of how bad the situation actually is.🤣

(A) For instance, how does one actually practice fasting? (And no, this isn't off-topic 🙂)
placidwolf27 placidwolf27 Active MemberOP
170 messages
joined Mar 2012
#11 ·
Larry Cooper2 said:I tried this out for a bit, and honestly, it really did wonders for me. The thing is, just feeling that genuine gratitude? It’s such a killer feeling on its own—it just brings this sense of peace. I used to love doing this right before hitting the sack: just thanking the universe (or God, whatever you vibe with) for like 5 to 10 specific things about my life so far. It's a solid reminder that even when everything seems totally screwed, it passes—just like the good times do. This whole practice really pulls you back into the moment and finds you some inner calm. At least it worked for me. Good luck!

But it doesn't actually ground you in the "now" if the entire premise relies on things you're already grateful for—which is inherently backward, since it’s just an exercise in reminiscence. It doesn't bring peace; instead, it highlights the weight of everything you owe, the things you never even asked for, and most of which you can't even repay, effectively trapping you in a position of inferiority... or worse, focusing on circumstances that are completely beyond anyone's control. It just serves as a reminder of how much of our lives is contingent, conditional, and frankly absurd. All it does is invite negativity, frustration, and a sense of shame... I fail to see the positive in any of that.
casualharbor9 casualharbor9 Active Member
168 messages
joined Feb 2010
#12 ·
placidwolf27 said:But it doesn't actually ground you in the "now" if the entire premise relies on things you're already grateful for—which is inherently backward, since it’s just an exercise in reminiscence. It doesn't bring peace; instead, it highlights the weight of everything you owe, the things you never even asked for, and most of which you can't even repay, effectively trapping you in a position of inferiority... or worse, focusing on circumstances that are completely beyond anyone's control. It just serves as a reminder of how much of our lives is contingent, conditional, and frankly absurd. All it does is invite negativity, frustration, and a sense of shame... I fail to see the positive in any of that.

Grateful to whom, exactly?
Jesse Mendoza4 Jesse Mendoza4 Member
22 messages
joined Feb 2015
#13 ·
placidwolf27 said:They claim gratitude is some sort of inherently positive emotion—there are even entire self-help squads out there preaching these ritualized daily gratitude practices, suggesting they supposedly bolster one's psychological resilience over the long haul.

I just don't grasp what makes gratitude "positive" in essence, or why it should be viewed as such... nor am I clear on what one is actually supposed to be thankful for, or even why it matters in the first place.

I mean, seriously... what is that even about?

Gratitude is a genuine positive feeling and it really is a path toward happiness.

You start feeling truly grateful when you realize that everything you have could vanish in an instant, reminding you that nothing in life is guaranteed and nothing should ever be taken for granted.

I can give you a super simple, almost cliché example of when I felt real gratitude toward food. We all know food is a basic necessity, and we know there are people struggling with hunger in Africa and we feel for them, but we don't usually dwell on that while grabbing a quick snack on the go. There was this one stretch in my life where I was just slammed with work and traveling constantly, so I ended up living on fast food. Since I usually eat pretty healthy and junk food isn't really my thing, it was a rough patch for me, so I decided to "reset" by fasting for a full day—no food and no water. It was incredibly tough, but I pushed through and woke up early the next morning. After an entire day without anything, that single glass of water I had in the morning tasted better than anything I've ever had, and the same goes for my bowl of oatmeal with honey and almonds. I savored the look of it, the smell, and finally, every single bite like never before😁. Honestly, I felt like I should've bought that bowl of oatmeal a gift because of how much gratitude I felt in that moment😁!

With that little example, I guess I’m just trying to say that we shouldn't take anything for granted and we shouldn't have to lose everything just to learn how to appreciate it. It's the same with food, our health, our friends, our family... we should be grateful for everything we have.
placidwolf27 placidwolf27 Active MemberOP
170 messages
joined Mar 2012
#14 ·
casualharbor9 said:Grateful to whom, exactly?

I don't know... there are certain people I have reasons to be thankful to, and frankly, that's an uncomfortable, even degrading sensation to sit with...

As for everything else—I don't know. To whom am I supposed to give thanks for, say, my anatomy? To whom?

Jesse Mendoza4 said:Gratitude is a genuine positive feeling and it really is a path toward happiness.

You start feeling truly grateful when you realize that everything you have could vanish in an instant, reminding you that nothing in life is guaranteed and nothing should ever be taken for granted.

I can give you a super simple, almost cliché example of when I felt real gratitude toward food. We all know food is a basic necessity, and we know there are people struggling with hunger in Africa and we feel for them, but we don't usually dwell on that while grabbing a quick snack on the go. There was this one stretch in my life where I was just slammed with work and traveling constantly, so I ended up living on fast food. Since I usually eat pretty healthy and junk food isn't really my thing, it was a rough patch for me, so I decided to "reset" by fasting for a full day—no food and no water. It was incredibly tough, but I pushed through and woke up early the next morning. After an entire day without anything, that single glass of water I had in the morning tasted better than anything I've ever had, and the same goes for my bowl of oatmeal with honey and almonds. I savored the look of it, the smell, and finally, every single bite like never before😁. Honestly, I felt like I should've bought that bowl of oatmeal a gift because of how much gratitude I felt in that moment😁!

With that little example, I guess I’m just trying to say that we shouldn't take anything for granted and we shouldn't have to lose everything just to learn how to appreciate it. It's the same with food, our health, our friends, our family... we should be grateful for everything we have.

But it’s never truly finished—we don't even know if it's finished once you die. We just comfort ourselves with the notion that, based on what we know, death is finally the end. All those things I possess that I might lose—those theoretical scenarios where I have nothing, or even actual times when I had nothing—they haven't sparked any sense of gratitude in me. They just add to the misery of having to exist. All those things that are supposedly "sources" of gratitude are merely things that make existence bearable, or simply keep it going... and nobody asked for this in the first place.

Jesse Mendoza4 said:Gratitude is a genuine positive feeling and it really is a path toward happiness.

You start feeling truly grateful when you realize that everything you have could vanish in an instant, reminding you that nothing in life is guaranteed and nothing should ever be taken for granted.

I can give you a super simple, almost cliché example of when I felt real gratitude toward food. We all know food is a basic necessity, and we know there are people struggling with hunger in Africa and we feel for them, but we don't usually dwell on that while grabbing a quick snack on the go. There was this one stretch in my life where I was just slammed with work and traveling constantly, so I ended up living on fast food. Since I usually eat pretty healthy and junk food isn't really my thing, it was a rough patch for me, so I decided to "reset" by fasting for a full day—no food and no water. It was incredibly tough, but I pushed through and woke up early the next morning. After an entire day without anything, that single glass of water I had in the morning tasted better than anything I've ever had, and the same goes for my bowl of oatmeal with honey and almonds. I savored the look of it, the smell, and finally, every single bite like never before😁. Honestly, I felt like I should've bought that bowl of oatmeal a gift because of how much gratitude I felt in that moment😁!

With that little example, I guess I’m just trying to say that we shouldn't take anything for granted and we shouldn't have to lose everything just to learn how to appreciate it. It's the same with food, our health, our friends, our family... we should be grateful for everything we have.

How exactly are you supposed to be grateful for being hungry every single day? If there were no food, you wouldn't be hungry every day...
but you *are* hungry every day.
And thirsty every day...
And you wake up and get out of bed every day...
And you're tired and want to sleep every day...
And you perform endless, absurd rituals every day—most often the exact same ones over and over...
And tomorrow, you'll be hungry again.

And that's just the easy part...
Lawrence Bailey77 Lawrence Bailey77 Regular
302 messages
joined Mar 2015
#15 ·
placidwolf27 said:I don't know... there are certain people I have reasons to be thankful to, and frankly, that's an uncomfortable, even degrading sensation to sit with...

As for everything else—I don't know. To whom am I supposed to give thanks for, say, my anatomy? To whom?

But it’s never truly finished—we don't even know if it's finished once you die. We just comfort ourselves with the notion that, based on what we know, death is finally the end. All those things I possess that I might lose—those theoretical scenarios where I have nothing, or even actual times when I had nothing—they haven't sparked any sense of gratitude in me. They just add to the misery of having to exist. All those things that are supposedly "sources" of gratitude are merely things that make existence bearable, or simply keep it going... and nobody asked for this in the first place.

How exactly are you supposed to be grateful for being hungry every single day? If there were no food, you wouldn't be hungry every day...
but you *are* hungry every day.
And thirsty every day...
And you wake up and get out of bed every day...
And you're tired and want to sleep every day...
And you perform endless, absurd rituals every day—most often the exact same ones over and over...
And tomorrow, you'll be hungry again.

And that's just the easy part...

I wonder, why does it leave you feeling so uneasy and diminished?

As for the rest... I don't know. Who am I supposed to thank for the size of my junk? Seriously, who?

One really ought to find much more significant things to focus on in life than a penis... if one can manage to be brave enough about it.👍

But nothing is ever truly finished. We don't even know if it's over once we pass away. We just cling to the idea that death might finally provide some sort of conclusion. All these things I possess—things I could easily exist without, or theoretical scenarios where they simply aren't there, or even actual times when I lacked them—none of it has sparked any sense of gratitude within me. It only adds to the burden of having to persist. These things that others might call sources of gratitude are merely tools that make existence slightly more bearable, or perhaps they just allow it to continue. And frankly, nobody asked for this existence in the first place.

With a mindset like that... I, for one, would choose to be grateful simply because there are people around me to whom I can pose a question and engage in a somewhat coherent conversation.😬

How could anyone possibly be...

It seems to me that such a thing is a matter of choice and perception rather than capability.

FOR INSTANCE, how could you possibly remain ungrateful for everything you just listed? 🙂
placidwolf27 placidwolf27 Active MemberOP
170 messages
joined Mar 2012
#16 ·
Lawrence Bailey77 said:I wonder, why does it leave you feeling so uneasy and diminished?

As for the rest... I don't know. Who am I supposed to thank for the size of my junk? Seriously, who?

One really ought to find much more significant things to focus on in life than a penis... if one can manage to be brave enough about it.👍

But nothing is ever truly finished. We don't even know if it's over once we pass away. We just cling to the idea that death might finally provide some sort of conclusion. All these things I possess—things I could easily exist without, or theoretical scenarios where they simply aren't there, or even actual times when I lacked them—none of it has sparked any sense of gratitude within me. It only adds to the burden of having to persist. These things that others might call sources of gratitude are merely tools that make existence slightly more bearable, or perhaps they just allow it to continue. And frankly, nobody asked for this existence in the first place.

With a mindset like that... I, for one, would choose to be grateful simply because there are people around me to whom I can pose a question and engage in a somewhat coherent conversation.😬

How could anyone possibly be...

It seems to me that such a thing is a matter of choice and perception rather than capability.

FOR INSTANCE, how could you possibly remain ungrateful for everything you just listed? 🙂

Because it serves as nothing more than a bitter confirmation of my own inadequacy—my own fundamental weakness—I have to admit that I wouldn’t have achieved a single thing during those pivotal moments in my life if it weren't for the people who stepped in to help me... much like they would for their own children. There are things people have done for me—favors and gestures that didn't even cost them a second thought—yet I find myself unable to truly repay them... unless I were to spend five years working solely with the intention of making things right...

It’s a bitter pill to swallow—watching your own incompetence and weakness laid bare like that. It feels even more pathetic when you realize how much stronger and more capable everyone else is, simply because they actually had the capacity to step up and help... something I could never quite manage. I guess I'm just built that way...

Lawrence Bailey77 said:I wonder, why does it leave you feeling so uneasy and diminished?

As for the rest... I don't know. Who am I supposed to thank for the size of my junk? Seriously, who?

One really ought to find much more significant things to focus on in life than a penis... if one can manage to be brave enough about it.👍

But nothing is ever truly finished. We don't even know if it's over once we pass away. We just cling to the idea that death might finally provide some sort of conclusion. All these things I possess—things I could easily exist without, or theoretical scenarios where they simply aren't there, or even actual times when I lacked them—none of it has sparked any sense of gratitude within me. It only adds to the burden of having to persist. These things that others might call sources of gratitude are merely tools that make existence slightly more bearable, or perhaps they just allow it to continue. And frankly, nobody asked for this existence in the first place.

With a mindset like that... I, for one, would choose to be grateful simply because there are people around me to whom I can pose a question and engage in a somewhat coherent conversation.😬

How could anyone possibly be...

It seems to me that such a thing is a matter of choice and perception rather than capability.

FOR INSTANCE, how could you possibly remain ungrateful for everything you just listed? 🙂

Because it’s just one unending, relentless grind—day after day after day... and it’s been that way for at least decades now.
goldenbison36 goldenbison36 Member
17 messages
joined Jan 2015
#17 ·
placidwolf27 As you were saying:
Grateful for what, exactly? Honestly, things just are what they are. I don’t see any point in playing the gratitude game; life moves in certain cycles, processes play out, and eventually, everything settles where it’s supposed to. I’m just a participant in these circumstances, nothing more. I mean, what exactly am I supposed to be thanking God for? Nobody ever asked me to, and I certainly didn't go looking for it.

You seem to operate under this life philosophy that’s pretty much purely atheistic and physicalist. You view yourself as nothing more than an observer, someone who doesn't actually have any influence over their own reality. You aren't the only one who thinks that way, I suppose, but from where I'm standing, I’m convinced we all play a direct role in shaping our own circumstances.

There’s a difference between things that just make us happy and things we actually need to be grateful for. It doesn't really matter who you direct that gratitude toward—you can keep it all to yourself for all I care—but the feeling itself is real. Practicing it is basically a way to invite some peace and better circumstances into your own life. People tend to assume gratitude is about being kind to others, but honestly, it’s primarily for our own benefit. If I had to pick a direction for my future conversations, they’d lean much more toward spirituality than science.
To be honest, I’d much rather avoid those "best-case scenario" setups my imagination keeps trying to cook up.

Look, you aren't going to spend your time writing about how much you'd love to live on Mars. You have to focus on things that actually exist in the real world. Now, some of those real-world goals might seem totally out of reach—almost impossible, really—but they’re actually achievable if you follow this principle. The only catch is that it's hard to get people interested when the idea itself feels so hard to believe. Take becoming a millionaire, for example.
It’s really not, at least nothing close to being serious. Don't talk nonsense.

Thought is pure energy, and that energy carries its own specific vibration and frequency. Over the last decade or so, it’s become pretty clear that these energetic patterns tend to attract like-minded ones. It's actually quite interesting how much the sheer power of thought has been scrutinized lately, both in the realm of physics and within psychology. It really doesn't take much to see the connection. The placebo effect is one of those things that sounds like science fiction until you actually start looking at the data. It’s wild how much our brains can influence our physical reality just based on what we expect to happen. You take a pill that’s basically nothing more than sugar and chalk, but because you *believe* it’s going to fix your headache or settle your stomach, your body actually starts doing the work. It isn't just about "thinking positive," either. There's actual neurobiology happening there—your brain triggers its own internal pharmacy, releasing chemicals that can physically alter how you feel. It’s a bit humbling, honestly. We like to think we’re these purely logical, data-driven machines, but we're really just walking bundles of suggestion and expectation. It makes you wonder how much of our daily "wellness" is genuine biology and how much of it is just us convincing ourselves we're fine.The mind is capable of working absolute miracles.
But seriously, what are we actually talking about here? What’s the "how," what’s the "what," and more importantly—is anything actually getting better?

It’s funny how things work out. All those things I used to want—the stuff that felt just out of reach—are finally starting to manifest. On top of that, I’ve been feeling significantly better lately, both physically and mentally. It’s like my whole vibe has shifted. In a weird way, I think people are being drawn to me more, too.

It’s a bit strange when you think about it. To be honest, I don't have the slightest clue how electricity actually works on a technical level, yet I rely on its benefits every single hour of the day without a second thought. This situation feels exactly the same way. I’m convinced that we really do create our own reality.
goldenbison36 goldenbison36 Member
17 messages
joined Jan 2015
#18 ·
Maybe by tomorrow I’ll be sitting in some damp, stinking jail cell, shackled in steel, my spirit broken, just waiting for the end. Or maybe it happens today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll find myself facing some kind of fire, feeling pain that’s just impossible to bear. Maybe tomorrow I’ll lose my mother. That would be rough. Truly devastating...

Maybe tomorrow I’ll drift off to sleep while listening to the sounds of people crying nearby, feeling this heavy wave of regret and nostalgia for the life I actually had—thinking about all the things I could have done differently. Or maybe tomorrow I’ll just lose my mind entirely, killing off my own soul and identity. Perhaps it'll happen today.

But instead, here I am, sitting in a warm house, wrapped in an incredibly cozy blanket and snacking on something pretty delicious. It feels powerful. That’s why I treasure this specific moment, because tomorrow is a long way off, and who knows? Tomorrow might be a lonely one for someone else, or even for me.

I haven't burned. I haven't suffered in some filthy cell. I haven't lost my mother, and I doubt I ever will. Some people have: some have burned, and some have wept over their mother's grave. But not me. Definitely not me.

I’m just sitting here, snacking. There’s a warmth here, not just from the room, but from within. Something so calm, peaceful, and quiet is taking hold of my mind. I appreciate this, I really do. I'm grateful for everything. For whom? Doesn't matter.
Larry Cooper2 Larry Cooper2 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2015
#19 ·
placidwolf27 said:But it doesn't actually ground you in the "now" if the entire premise relies on things you're already grateful for—which is inherently backward, since it’s just an exercise in reminiscence. It doesn't bring peace; instead, it highlights the weight of everything you owe, the things you never even asked for, and most of which you can't even repay, effectively trapping you in a position of inferiority... or worse, focusing on circumstances that are completely beyond anyone's control. It just serves as a reminder of how much of our lives is contingent, conditional, and frankly absurd. All it does is invite negativity, frustration, and a sense of shame... I fail to see the positive in any of that.

Hey friend, I think you missed my point a little bit. From the way you're typing, you seem pretty sharp, but what I said in my last post was strictly about my own experience—it's definitely not some universal truth.

I can only speak to how it hit me personally, and since it was a win for me, I just wanted to suggest the OP give it a shot and see if it works for them too. In the second half of your reply, you mentioned that an experience like this can only lead to "negativity, frustration, and shame."

The issue (well, not for me, but for the sake of the discussion) is your mindset. It sounds like someone once convinced you that you're solely responsible for everything in your life. Look, as cool as that sounds, it’s just not true. But you actually touched on that when you said some things are just the way they are and there's nothing you can do about them. For people who believe in God, that's a lot easier to swallow and see the bright side of, but for those of us who aren't religious, it can be a tougher pill to swallow.

But here's the thing: every action has a cause—that's just basic causality. The whole point of the exercise isn't about "who" you're thanking, it's just about acknowledging that there are forces bigger than us or things totally out of our control, and being grateful for the good parts of them. Peace out!
Larry Cooper2 Larry Cooper2 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Jan 2015
#20 ·
placidwolf27 said:Because it serves as nothing more than a bitter confirmation of my own inadequacy—my own fundamental weakness—I have to admit that I wouldn’t have achieved a single thing during those pivotal moments in my life if it weren't for the people who stepped in to help me... much like they would for their own children. There are things people have done for me—favors and gestures that didn't even cost them a second thought—yet I find myself unable to truly repay them... unless I were to spend five years working solely with the intention of making things right...

It’s a bitter pill to swallow—watching your own incompetence and weakness laid bare like that. It feels even more pathetic when you realize how much stronger and more capable everyone else is, simply because they actually had the capacity to step up and help... something I could never quite manage. I guess I'm just built that way...

Because it’s just one unending, relentless grind—day after day after day... and it’s been that way for at least decades now.

Change something.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Log in Register

🔗 Similar threads