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10 Ways To Be Grateful Even On Bad Days

Posted on by D. Parker

1grateful1Life is full of good things and bad things.

Sometimes good things go bad.

Sometimes bad things go good.

Sometimes a bit of both.

The good stuff doesn’t always make the bad stuff easier to take, but the bad stuff doesn’t always ruin the good stuff either.

We should try to be grateful for the good stuff, especially when there’s bad stuff.

We Could Be Grateful For:

1. Family and friends. The memory of family and friends. The possibility of family and friends.

2. Knowledge, free will, and finding respectful ways to agree to disagree.

3. Enjoying what you have, instead of always thinking about what you want.

4. Remembering both the good times and the bad – and not living in either.

5. Enjoying the everyday things. Life isn’t about the big moments.

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6. Finding happiness, peace, or contentment, especially by making others happy, peace-filled, or contented.

7. Life and knowing that most people know it’s worth.

8. Being you. Don’t compare yourself to others.

9. Bad times, so you can appreciate the good times.

10. Giving – stuff, time, comfort, inspiration, hope, information…you.

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Terror, in many forms has wormed it’s way into our lives, not just with violence, but with weapons such as: fear, rudeness, abuse, inequality, neglect, distractions, complacency, disrespect, self-righteousness, ignorance, intolerance, lying, scandal, gossip, corruption, manipulation, dogma, bullying, blame, and all those ‘gotcha’ moments.

We can change. Some will say we can’t, or worse, that’s just the way it is. Expect change. Be that change.

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People can disagree, debate, wrangle, bicker, even argue, hopefully respectfully.
There’s also no need to agree, you have the right to disagree, again, respectfully.
Attacking anyone, verbally or physically, for their beliefs is pointless.
We can’t overcome hate with hate.
We can’t win by fighting.

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Even if you feel hate, choose love or at least, forgiveness.

Even if you feel indifference, choose compassion.

Especially if you feel despair, choose hope.

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I worry being ‘shocked’ every time something terrible happens, posting platitudes, changing profile pictures, holding vigils, leaving tokens, decrying the monsters, and placing blame gives the illusion of doing something when really, it’s mostly shopping, social media, socializing, and symbolism.

Wouldn’t it be more comforting to help those in need? To donate food, clothing, money for shelter and medical care instead of making piles of flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and flags that will just become garbage? I don’t understand, if we want to show respect why not help those who are still alive and suffering?

We need to find out how to change what’s happening, or brace ourselves for more of the same, or worse. The first rule of holes, when you’re in one, stop digging, and try to find a way out.

What’s coming will come, so instead of focusing on those who do harm, who spread fear and hate, let’s be grateful for those who help, who protect – those who do good in this world. They deserve our focus, not just after a tragedy, or crisis, or disaster, but all the time.

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My heart goes out to the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones, death is tragic, no matter the circumstances…and to anyone suffering, everywhere.

Author:

Very me

199 thoughts on “10 Ways To Be Grateful Even On Bad Days”

      8. And apparently if ‘American Gothic’ is any indication, it messed with his head (or maybe that was because of all that hair). 😉

  16. A beautiful call to action, Donna. If we believe we create our reality, then it’s time to get creating. Each act of kindness, understanding and compassion pushes back the darkness. Thanks so much for the thoughtful words.

    Reply

  17. Thank you so much for this timely reminder. It is true anytime, however.
    I know, for me, it is so easy to let the exterior happenings affect the interior emotions, I will remember your blog when the going gets a little tough for me.
    God’s Blessings!

    Reply

    1. Thank you kindly and you’re welcome anytime, my blog door is always open. 🙂
      I’m always happy visiting your blog except when you add books to my reading list, it’s much too long already and my giant basket of books to review is harumphing at me, but what’s one or two or three more? Famous last book words. 😉
      All the best and hope this week is treating you well. 🙂

      Reply

      1. Oh, I know the problem well. My TBR pile has now become many multiple piles holding each other up along the wall and to the ceiling!!
        The week has been better than most!

      4. Reading is such a part of so many lives. One of my best memories as a child was sitting with my Dad when he cam home from work, he would read the newspaper, it didn’t matter what it was, I just liked being with him, the sound of his voice, and the words. Reading rules. 🙂

  18. A refreshingly honest and wise post as always Donna – you’re right about the symbolism instead of the doing but I suppose for a lot of people at least it’s a show of something. If we can’t quite manage the love bit at least perhaps we can manage a little less hate. Hope your week is full of good things! 🙂

    Reply

  22. What a touching and compassionate post Donna. I’ve shared everywhere, because, EVERYONE needs to read this . . .perhaps a few times over! <3

    Reply

    1. Thank you kindly, David. 🙂
      How is your week going, I can’t wait to hear about it on the weekend. 🙂
      Hope everyone is well and happy. How is Mike’s grandson, better I hope.
      Massive megahugs!!! 🙂

      Reply

  26. Excellent post Donna. I was listening to a young person being interviewed recently about their lives and one thing came across clearly. His had been told growing up that he would and could have it all including happiness. He was now disappointed and wanted to know where it all was and why didn’t he have it! The reality is that 95% have to work for a living and a good life is not handed to us on a plate. Also many expect others to make us happy when we are the only ones who can do that. Sometimes it is as simple as making a decision to be happy and grateful for all that we do have instead of what we don’t.

    Reply

    1. Thank you kindly, Sally. 🙂
      Wise words. And you’re right, sometimes it is as simple as making a decision to be happy and grateful for all that we do have instead of what we don’t.
      Thanks for dropping by and hope this week treats you well. 🙂

      Reply

  28. Reblogged this on ' Ace Friends News ' and commented:
    I am truly grateful for all that l have and today makes me even more grateful for truly #Donnamazing post that l decided to reblog on friends news and – wait for it full post on Social & Media later – well you cannot get too much of a #Donnamazing posts – 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much, Ian. Sorry it took so long to get here, the last couple of days have been wild (but mostly in a totally fun way), but I’m so far behind. I’m grateful you’re part of my blogging family, thank you for your kind words and sharing. 🙂 Hope this weekend treats you well. 🙂

      Reply

  31. I take a bow! This is such an amazing post! I don’t know where to start! I agree with every single paragraph and see it exactly the same way. There is so much we can be grateful for. Also that Gandhi quote As long as we fight back we can never have peace. We don’t need to agree with others but we need to be tolerant and respect that they have the right of their opinion as we want it. Let’s choose love! The only way to break that circle of revange and hatred – for us and for the ones who lost loved ones in war and terror.

    I nominated you for the Versatile Bogger Award. Please feel free to participate https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/the-versatile-blogger-award-4/

    Reply

    1. Congratulations – this is well-deserved, Erika!!! You’re also a versatile person apparently, that certainly explains a lot. Wow. 🙂
      Thank you so much for nominating me, I usually get eclectic instead of versatile, so I like this a lot! lol 😉
      Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂

      Reply
  34. Pingback: LMG’s Internet Buffet – “The Giver Should Be Thankful” | LMG comic updates

    1. I’m grateful you’re part of my blogging family, Jennifer. 🙂
      Thank you for the kind words and for sharing my post. 🙂
      Hope this weekend treats you well. 🙂

      Reply
  36. Pingback: Liebster Award Round 3 | Simply Etta D.

    1. Congratulations!!! Well-deserved! 🙂 Loved your answers!!! 🙂
      Thank you so much for the nomination, it’s so lovely of you to think of me and I see I’m in good company!!! 🙂
      Hope this weekend is treating you kindly. 🙂

      Reply

  39. You are so right! And I agree with Teegan: I’m grateful for you! There are so many little things we don’t appreciate enough and still should be very grateful for. Sometimes it seems to normal that we leave the house and come back later, to spend time together. And yet, it can change in a split of a second. A great reminder to cherish the little things on a daily base…

    Reply

    1. Thank you kindly, I’m so grateful to have such an amazing blogging family with you and Teagan and so many others!!! 🙂
      Life can change in a second, we need to appreciate and enjoy it all and try to make the lives of others better as well. 🙂
      Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂

      Reply
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    1. Awesome gifs, Erika! 😉
      Wow, I was tired just thinking about all that, in a week, but in a good way, thanks because I found some cool blogs to follow! 🙂
      Thank you kindly for the shout-out and I’m in lovely company – shout-outer included, of course 😉
      Hope this weekend treats you well, I’m playing catch-up in between baking for a bazaar tomorrow – this made me smile and I avoided the baked goods…for now. 🙂

      Reply
  42. Pingback: My Picks Of The Week #47 | A Momma's View

    1. This made my day, my week, my month, even my year! 😉
      Thank you so much, for the kind words, picking me, especially to be in such lovely company – picker included 😉
      It has been a rough week for the world in many ways, hope we can keep remembering the good things. 🙂
      Hope this weekend treats you well and thank you again!!! 🙂

      Reply

  44. I was off WP for a while and missed this beautiful post, Donna. So grateful that Sandra included it in her weekly picks. Proud of writers like you. Keep doing what you do. We need your voice. Hugs.❤️ 💛 💙 Van

    Reply

  45. I love how positive this post is. You are so right, even when we feel hurt or hateful, we can choose love, forgiveness and happiness 🙂 #weekendblogshare
    Debbie

    Reply
  47. Pingback: On The Prowl! Husband Wanted Urgently!… | a cooking pot and twistedtales

    1. I guess we’ll have to wait for more (those were good tips though). 🙂
      Thank you kindly, Jacqueline for including me in your post, what a lovely Saturday morning treat!!! 🙂
      Hope this weekend treats you kindly. 🙂

      Reply

  48. I write 5 things I’m thankful for in a journal everyday…it IS the little things that we need to be grateful for and appreciate what we have not what we don’t have. Great post.

    Reply

    1. It’s a good thing to do, especially when things aren’t going well, it’s amazing what we have to be grateful, too easy to forget. 🙂
      Thanks for dropping by and hope this weekend is treating you kindly. 🙂

      Reply

  49. I’m so with you on this one. It’s important to find ways to be grateful and strive for happiness even in the darkness. We cannot undo what has been done but to focus on it is to give it more energy and that negative energy helps no one. 🙂

    Reply

  50. you are so right that terror has invaded our lives in so many way. thanks for the reminder of the many ways we need to be grateful. and life is def not in those big moments! via #blogsharelearn linky

    Reply

    1. Thank you for dropping by and your kind words. 🙂
      So glad you popped over from Elena’s (isn’t she amazing?) linky, she throws an awesome party! 😉
      Hope this week treats you well. 🙂

      Reply

  52. Couldn’t agree more! You kinda surmised most of a point I belabour (lovingly) every weekend – there are ALWAYS things to be thankful for. Always. Live is to be lived, and can be GLORIOUS in the Silver Linings.

    Love that you’re sharing this message 🙂

    Reply

    1. There are always thing to be grateful for, we just have to remember to do so. 🙂
      Thanks for dropping by, hope this weekend is being good to you. 🙂

      Reply

      1. Yes thanks – sun’s been shining, and I’ve caught up with a good friend, as well as achieving lots work-wise, and winning at Scrabble. All’s sunshiney and lovely and filled with beautiful silver linings 🙂 Hope yours is still going well.

  54. I love “the memory of family and friends.” It’s a timely reminder around the holiday season. Many people are yearning for the presence of loved ones who’ve passed or reminiscing on old relationships now. Lovely post!

    Reply

  56. It is hard to write cheerful and happy posts but we must carry on. Despite those who try to cause us to self destruct. We have those around us, little ones some of us, who need us to still believe in Joy. I get your fun and humor and embrace it. I thank you for the fun you bring to us all. Not always caught up; but when I can, I love your blog! ♡

    Reply

    1. I know what you mean, it reminds me of the joke my Dad always said, “I’m so far behind I’m ahead”. Not sure I know what it means, but I’m sure feeling it these days. 😉
      I think believing in joy and hope is important at any age, if we believe, anything can happen. 🙂
      Hope this week is fill with wonder. 🙂

      Reply

  58. The post with so many of my favorites needs a LOVE button! Thanks for Pooh, the Snoopy dog from Peanuts, Gandhi and Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting.

    Reply

    1. So pleased to hear you enjoyed it, Kally and I’m glad we found each other in this giant virtual haystack. 🙂
      Happy Holidays and all the best in 2016! 🙂

      Reply
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    1. Thank you so much for adding me to your cool list (I’m in good company). I’m going through and trying to figure out how you choose these all, what a fantastically diverse group of blogs.
      You’re too kind (please continue, really). 😉
      Hope the week ahead treats you very, very well. 🙂

      Reply
  62. Pingback: The Weekly Headlines – My Daily Musing

    1. Thank you so much for adding me to your cool list (I’m in good company). I’m going through and trying to figure out how you choose these all, what a fantastically diverse group of blogs.
      You’re too kind (please continue, really). 😉
      Hope the week ahead treats you very, very well. 🙂

      Reply
  63. Pingback: The Weekly Headlines – Br Andrew's Muses

    1. Thank you so much for including me in this list/post – I really appreciate sharing the #bloglove
      Hope this week is treating you kindly so far. 🙂

      Reply

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