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Dear Friends, I have come across many advice that gratitude makes one happy. Some people suggest writing every day a gratitude diary. Others suggest writing letters to friends and family expressing your gratitude. There are also lots of psychological research on gratitude. Indeed, gratitude has become the intervention tools in psychotherapy. My own experience is also that, the happier I become, the more thankfulness I feel. What is your experience? Below I have attached a short youtube video on gratefulness from David Steindl-Rast, which I can highly recommend. https://youtu.be/UtBsl3j0YRQ Would like to hear your experience and advice. Have a happy grateful day 🤠🤓 Max

We all have ups and downs, and sometimes it can be really difficult to see the rainbow on the other side. Maybe life keeps throwing your lemons, maybe you're not feeling very well, or maybe it's just the every day stresses of life! For me personally, I find it very helpful to think of 10 Things I'm grateful for. What are some things you're grateful for?

Hallo!! Ich schreibe gerade meine Masterarbeit über das Thema Dankbarkeit und Lebenszufriedenheit und würde - wenn ich darf - einen Link zu meiner Befragung teilen. Ich würde mich freuen wenn möglichst viele Glücksinteressierte mitmachen und sich 15 min Zeit nehmen oder ihn an Freunde weiterleiten. Ich denke das Thema geht gerade in dieser Krisenzeit uns alle an vielleicht kommt auch nochmal das Thema Dankbarkeit mit seinen positiven und negativen Facetten neu ins Rollen https://www.soscisurvey.de/danke2021/ Vielen lieben Dank!!

Generosity is not about how much you give, but how much love you put into giving." - Mother Teresa It should make a mandatory act at school to practice ( giving )as an act so that it can be embedded in young hearts. It generates the feeling of gratitude which make you feel alive. Have you ever come across such incidents where you feel like yes I feel loved and good ,atmosphere is full of gratitude today. Do share the story here I am all ears.

I just read an article about gratitude and the benefits of having a gratitude practice, and it really resonated with me! I recently also saw a video that reminded me of how our thoughts control so much of how we're feeling, both physically and mentally, and I think a gratitude practice plays a big part in that. It's easy to wake up and think 'Ugh, am I getting ill? Am I actually really tired still? Will this day suck?" and that will then influence your day and your state of mind negatively. It is so easy for us to focus on the negative, and allowing problems to take over our whole mind making everything feel terrible. But, making a habit of writing down, saying out loud, our just thinking to your self, 3 things that you are grateful for can really help with that mindset. 'Count your blessings' might sound super cheesy, but it can actually be a great place to start your gratitude practice. Do you have a gratitude practice? In what way has it been helpful to you?

Happiness is a state of being that everyone aspires to achieve. It is the feeling of joy, contentment, and satisfaction that arises from within when we are in a positive state of mind. Happiness is often associated with the fulfillment of our desires and the attainment of our goals, but it goes beyond that. True happiness is a state of mind that is not dependent on external circumstances or material possessions. It is a feeling that arises from within and is independent of external factors. Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that can be difficult to define, but it is generally understood to be a positive emotional state characterized by feelings of pleasure, satisfaction, and contentment. It can be experienced in a variety of ways, from a fleeting moment of joy to a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose. Research has shown that happiness has numerous benefits for our health and well-being. Happy people are generally more resilient to stress, have stronger immune systems, and live longer. They are also more creative, productive, and successful in their personal and professional lives. There are many factors that contribute to happiness, including our relationships, our work, our health, and our personal values and beliefs. However, research suggests that there are some common characteristics and practices that are associated with greater happiness. These include: Cultivating positive emotions: Focusing on positive emotions such as gratitude, joy, and kindness can help to increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Building strong relationships: Having close, supportive relationships with family and friends is a key factor in happiness. Pursuing meaningful goals: Having a sense of purpose and working towards meaningful goals that align with our values and interests can bring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Practicing mindfulness and self-compassion: Being present in the moment and treating ourselves with kindness and compassion can help to reduce stress and increase happiness. Engaging in physical activity and healthy habits: Regular exercise, good sleep, and a healthy diet are important for physical and mental health, and can also contribute to feelings of happiness. In conclusion, happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that is essential to our health and well-being. While there is no one-size-fits-all formula for happiness, research suggests that cultivating positive emotions, building strong relationships, pursuing meaningful goals, practicing mindfulness and self-compassion, and engaging in healthy habits can all contribute to greater happiness and fulfillment in life.

Char, I think your project of starting a mental health wellbeing garden is a wonderful idea. Gardening can have many benefits for people who are struggling with mental health issues, loneliness, or isolation. Here are some thoughts and scriptures that relate and offer support and encouragement to your project: Gardening can help people practice acceptance, gratitude, mindfulness, and hope. It can also reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. It can improve mood, self-esteem, creativity, and cognitive function. It can foster a sense of connection to nature, to others, and to God. Gardening can be a way of expressing God’s love and care for His creation. It can also be a way of receiving God’s love and care for ourselves. God is the ultimate gardener, who planted the first garden in Eden and who makes everything grow according to His plan. Some scriptures that can inspire and motivate you and the people who will join your garden are: Psalm 1:3: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” Isaiah 58:11: “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” John 15:1-5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.” Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” I hope these thoughts and scriptures will help you get your project underway. I wish you all the best in your endeavor. May God bless you and your garden abundantly. 😊 Sincerely In Christ, Katherine Stephenson

Hi SimplyTammy, lots of great advice already here. Gratitude journals are wonderful. Know that you don't have to "feel" the gratitude each time. Sometimes people get caught up on that. You just have to write it and do your best to feel it, then let go. Another suggestion if you can't feel happy about the scenario, is to make peace with things as they are. "I am sad right now, but that's ok, it's temporary and will fade." "I feel overwhelmed right now, that's ok, everyone feels like this sometimes. I've made it through before, I'll find a way to make it through again." "I feel lonely, but that's ok, lost of people feel the same, so I feel lonely, but I am not alone in it. And it gives me time to learn more about myself, read books, watch TV, explore interests, and that can be fun if I try it." "I am bored right now, which gives means I have time to meditate :D"

Greetings, fellow seekers of inner peace and serenity, Allow me to humbly introduce myself as Ray, a fellow traveler on this beautiful journey of meditation. In the quiet stillness of our collective presence, let us create a space where hearts connect and spirits intertwine. In this bustling world, we often find solace in the tranquil depths of meditation. It is here, amidst the gentle embrace of silence, that we discover the infinite wellspring of love and compassion within ourselves. As we embark on this shared path, may we open our hearts wide, welcoming each other with warmth and understanding. Let us remember that in this community, we are not alone. Together, we can support one another through the trials and triumphs that arise on our individual paths. Let our words be filled with kindness, our presence be a beacon of peace, and our intentions be guided by love. May this forum be a sanctuary, a safe haven where we can share our insights, seek guidance, and offer solace to those who seek it. In the gentle rhythm of our collective breath, let us discover the profound beauty of connection and the boundless potential that lies within us all. With gratitude for this precious space we share, let us embark on this journey together, illuminating the way with our hearts and radiating love to all beings. Blessings and peace to you all, Ray

I love the message in Sonja Lyubomirsky's research paper (and in her book The How of Happiness), which suggests that general life circumstances are only responsible for 10% of our base happiness level, whereas our actions (how we interact with the world) are responsible for 40%. (The other 50% is inherited in our genes.) While these figures may be a little optimistic, the message is clear - our happiness is not generally dictated by our external circumstances. I personally found that gratitude (learning to appreciate everything good in my life) has made me so much happier. By writing a daily gratitude journal for a week or two, where we write down at least three things we are grateful for each day, it helps us to focus on the good rather than the bad. And that is sooooo important. As the quote attributed to Einstein (which he probably never said) goes: “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.”

I agree that gratitude is crucial. Gratitude leads us to appreciate what we have, to experience abundance in the moment. A twist of gratitude for me is to kindly investigate parts I somehow can't seem to be grateful for as they usually point straight to areas which need care and healing.

About 3 years ago I was really miserable. I had dealt with mental illness for years and was finally feeling better than depressed but was still so unhappy. But I had gratitude for the fact that I was mentally healthy. That gave me just a little bit of happiness. And I used that bit of happiness to get myself to do other things that would make me happy. I joined a church, made friends who also had autism like me, and eventually landed my dream job. I hope to encourage others to invest their happiness however small amount they may have into achieving greater happiness goals.

I love listening to inspirational audios or videos or reading inspirational books first thing in the morning each day. It sets a good tone of the day. And practicing gratitude as well. Self love is so key, and it is ok to use external sources to help you when you feel down, until you can give it to yourself ❤️

Hi Lovely connecting with all of you Infinite Gratitude Love & Light

What are you grateful for today? What are you thankful for this year? Let's reflect together on the positive! In our magazine, we have several articles about gratitude - how and why it has such a positive impact on our lives. For example: The top 5 benefits of gratitude practice - one of which are "Happier and more positive emotions." In the article about gratitude practices we learn that people who experience the most gratitude tend to: Feel a sense of abundance in their lives. Appreciate the contributions of others to their well-being. Recognise and enjoy life's small pleasures. Acknowledge the importance of experiencing and expressing gratitude. Another article introduces several kinds of gratitude journals. That's quite convincing, isn't it? So let's start by sharing what we are grateful for.

Hi there, I'm new to this site and and have been delving deep into the world of happiness and its many facets. Im super interested in others thoughts and perspectives regarding happiness and what it means to them. I believe gratitude is the base of happiness, and that it is our perspective that has the power to fulfill. I would love to hear your thoughts regarding gratitude and happiness. Cheers

For me gratitude is everything. It has done wonders in my life. If you wakeup tomorrow morning when everyone might then it is enough to be grateful 🙏 happiness is the natural outcome of gratitude. If you continously keep cribbing then naturally you can't be happy.Yes sometimes life is not easy it is so cruel but then again there will be lots to be thankful to rather than the losses. As if you still exist with those cruel losses means you have more gains but you may be looking towards the losses only

I'm proud of you too my friend, keep shining your happy light no matter how dark it gets out there, It can get discouraging, never loose faith, and keep shining your light bright for all to see. you see, us humans have a negativity bias, its hardwired from our ancestors, where they relied on that fight or flight response for survival, most of us are hardwired to notice the negative and then it sticks to us, and we bitch about it, giving it more of our attention and energy, the more people complain about something the more energy attracts their complaints to them, giving them more to complain about, vicious cycle really. WE can reverse this with gratitude, noticing and savoring all the good you see and feel in life, creating positive neural pathways, or "Happy Habits" Luvzzz Darja D*star

Happiness is not only the postive emotion to feel and look for. According to a research in the field of Postive Psychology, there are other positive emotions that can be pursued too in order to make our mental health better each day. Today we must try to experience at least one emotion from this list - Gratitude, Serenity and Hope. I'll start with gratitude. What about you all?

Hello, everyone! I am new here and I would like to know more about happiness as well as share my thoughts about it. Particularly, meet happy people and discover their happy secrets Nice to meet you all! with gratitude, Eva

Gratitude can really do magic. I still remember a nice quote from a Zen teacher when I started with meditation. He said like this: "Ordinary people have everything, but she/he is not thankful for anything. With Zen practice, you may not have everything, but you are grateful for everything" 🙏😃

Gratitude Journal and it's ok to repeat things day after day. My head, my eyes, my hand to the paper focusing to identify things that make me grateful. some of my fav's - air, sun, health, family members over and over again. Dinner plans tonight. Gas in my truck! it's endless and cleansing.

Let's see...... um I have been on forums for fitness many times. I am not a member of any other forums at this time. I love forums but they can be less than positive sometimes, and I ditched them. I found this site because I am reading "Happy For No Good Reason." Turned to my browser and types "happiness forum" and here I am. totally looking forward to learning, participating and contributing to "happy" HogTodd is because I ride Harleys with the HOGS every week, and it is one of my passions. I am the happiest guy I know. The reasons are endless. I keep a gratitude journal. my philosophy: "third is first." That makes God first, everyone else second and me third. Ever since I took that philosophy on, I have lived "first class." So, you see, 3rdis1st. That is all for now. Have a fantastic day!

Positive affirmations in the morning can be really powerful in helping you combat a negative mindset 🙏 I'm attaching an article from our Magazine about gratitude affirmations that you might find interesting ✨

How can we measure the connection between dreams and success? Most of us are continually dreaming about some type of success in life. It can be a dream not related to material wealth, but to inner peace, gratitude, and being kind when ideas contradict ours. When people say: "you are a dreamer" what it mean? I would interpret it as a positive or negative statement?