What a cool idea, and I am excited that you are undertaking it. It probably would be good for me to join you in doing this, but I'm not sure I am ready yet.

This is a great idea, and I'm glad you found a creative way to follow through on Madame B's advice without selling yourself out. And you get to inspire others, too. Hazzah!

Grace and gumption, posting everyday for one year.

Oh, do I relate so completely to what you wrote. It's hard to do these things, and be an informed observer of the world. But like you say, it beats the alternative.

I don't know if I'll do five every day, but I think I'll to start this in early December.

I will love to do it. Not everyday, but every once in a while. Is that allowed? I hope so!

Do it once a week, a month, three times a day. Any old rules will do!

i had to do a similar exercise a few years ago in order to re-remember good memories. i felt like all i had were bad memories (specifically of childhood). so every time i had a positive memory, i wrote it in a notebook. it did me more good than i expected. and some days i hated it because somehow it was easier to be bitter.

i might try this idea too. who knows? maybe it will transform me too. :)

I am trying ot imagine a family gathering with no alcohol.
*shudder*
Are you allowed to repeat yourself in that 365 days because I am doing the math and that is a heck of alot of things to be grateful for.

All the power to you however.

This season is like a stageplay for me. I go thru it so falsely...

i admire your resolve.

i lack resolve.

we shall see...

I certainly believe that this project has the potential to be life altering. I am planning another 365 and very well might incorporate this idea of yours. This brilliant idea of yours!

I have done this before, and am glad for the reminder to do it again. I used to keep a separate journal, but I think for now I'll just keep it as their own entries with my regular during the day entries.

I used to write things like: seven hours of sleep, good coffee, a seat by myself on the train. It was enough to see things in a new light. Thanks for the reminder.

Really, you hate Christmas? The whole holiday season? I love moments between Thanksgiving and New Years...like when my 12 year old stands up to sing during the Holiday festival,and I know how he hates being on stage...and from the behind the tallest girl in his class, he find me in the audience an flashes me a quick smile..those moments. Thanks for the invitation to play.

I've been given similar advice in the past, and yes, visions of Oprah danced in my head at the time.

First thing in the morning seems to bring max benefit. Every morning when I wake up I think of 3 things, people, or circumstances to comfort me. Not to make me feel pathetically warm and bubbly, but to help me (re)focus.

It has dramatically reduced my snappy sarcasm throughout the rest of the day. If I know I have to deal with someone who aggravates me that day, I will force myself to think of the last nice thing they did for me. It makes Jacqueline me less SOS scrubpadlike.

Thank you for this. I am going to do it as well.

And you're right -- there's something about the Christmas season that drains the gratitude from me. Probably because I hate it so. But this is the perfect remedy.

Wonderful idea, babe.

I don't know if I can do it on my blog, but I can definitely do it in my bedroom with my journal.

Well, if I did I might just say...I am grateful for women bloggers like you. So much to be grateful for here.

I'm in! you may be starting a movement here... and i'm going to start by giving myself the permission to not do it everyday... but i will give it the old college try. :D

Hooray!!!

This is exactly what I need.

Thanks!

I admit I’m intrigued and will give this some thought. I’ve been keeping a list in my sidebar during November of one thing I’m thankful for each day as part of the Giving Thanks Challenge started by South Breeze. I’m planning to continue this practice through December and possibly throughout the new year … but since I post only once daily on each blog and since I’ve participated in Blog 365 all of 2008, I’m not sure I want to take on a daily task like this. I suspect that I shall enjoy following along however. I do keep a list of 5 things I’m grateful for each day in my hand written journal, and have done so for many years.
Hugs and blessings,

I love this idea. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep it up every day, but I'm gonna try!

Thank you!

Schmutzie, you are amazing. I too have gotten so cynical that I'm sort of ashamed even to have a moment of hope in the power of positive thinking. I mean the whole thing just sounds so book club of the month.

But? Then I find myself going through these "OH MY GOD!!" phases where I wonder what the hell is going on in the world. And I think, "Why is this happening?" It makes no sense. And I try to figure out a way to fix it. And I can't figure it out.

I will do this once a week with you. And I'm going to add the badge to my site to try to spread the message to my five readers. LOL

Awesome, Schmutzie. Just awesome.

This is such a good idea.

What an awesomely wonderfully happy idea. Good and happy thoughts, when done over time, are incredibly healing. I can't wait for next November to hear what your conclusions are after a full year of this. I'll even try to participate a little!

I read of your project at Chapter Next, a favorite haunt of mine. I'll be coming on board as well. Keep the faith ^j^