Weekly Thought > Personal Growth > Personal Day of Thanksgiving (Part 1)
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Personal Day of Thanksgiving (Part 1)
This is Part One of Fred's 3 Part Series
For quite a long time I have realized that gratitude was the antidote for depression. Consequently, when I woke up Tuesday morning at 3:00AM feeling frustrated and going into depression from my immobilized and restricted condition, I knew that I would be awake for several hours. I had to get a change of mood.
Casting about for what it would be I hit upon the idea that a day of personal thanksgiving would be appropriate. Tuesday became the day. Since it was going to be all day I had to do long range planning. I made a list:
1) Spiritual - I recounted my assurance of God's love and His salvation. Then I thought of the many exhilarating experiences that I have had in the spirit, as well as the people and places connected with those times. Then I thought of heaven and named all of those who had gone before. I expressed gratitude for my time with them and their effect on me.
2) Intellectual stimulation - I reviewed all the interesting thoughts that I have been given through people and media.
3) Environment -- I expressed appreciation for a healthy atmosphere which supports this sick body, including the physical elements of pictures, music, and supportive care.
4) Responsibilities -- I listed the website (breakfastwithfred.com), Saturday morning breakfast with Fred, teleconference calls, and personal visits. There is no greater gift than usefulness.
5) Relationships -- I recognized that the freshness in my spirit comes through my family and my friends who keep me in the flow and �½in the loop.
The experiment worked -- I had a great day. In my experience I have found that thankfulness and depression are incompatible. It worked for me; I hope it will work for you.
This week think about: 1) How would I structure a day of thanksgiving 2) What are my categories? 3) Who else could share this experiment with me?
