100 reasons to be happy!

This is an “antidote for complaining, worrying, and for those who are depressed.” It’s not a foolproof or perfect answer by any means, but it works at least to some extent on everyone. It is the art of being grateful and the exercise is simply creating a list of one hundred (100) things that we are grateful for.

My current thank you list goes like this:

1. I have the most beautiful and beautiful wife in the world.
2. My three daughters are healthy and happy.
3. My children are growing and developing very well.
4. My parents are still alive, and so are my siblings.
5. My in-laws and my wife’s family love me and I love them.
6. In general, I have a wonderful family.
7. The house I live in has modern facilities and keeps me sheltered from inclement weather.
8. My wife likes to spend time with me and I like to spend time with her.
9. I know Jesus Christ.
10. I am hopeful of having more children.
11. I am free to worship God the way I want.
12. I can walk.
13. I can talk.
14. I can read and write.
15. I can think and have thoughts and time with myself.
16. My five senses are still working fine, unaided (currently).
17. I can see, not only through my eyes, but also through the eyes of my heart.
18. I live in relative luxury, in freedom and in a just society.
19. I have two days off a week most weeks.
20. My employer is wonderful.
21. The work I have is both stimulating and varied, and I am valued for my work.
22. I have good bosses and co-workers.
23. I attend a church where people love me and I am allowed to love them.
24. I have time to write.
25. I can drive a car… I have a car.
26. I have many great tools to help me live my life.
27. My personal library is happiness; each book handpicked.
28. We have not one, but two computers in my family.
29. I have both the inclination and the ability to plan my life ahead of time.
30. We have access to seemingly unlimited electricity, water, food, and other resources.
31. I don’t really mind doing the dishes anymore; in fact, I love making them!
32. I love Proverbs, Psalms, Ephesians and Ecclesiastes…in fact, I love the whole Bible.
33. I can speak sensibly and sensitively to my teenage daughters (most of the time).
34. One day becomes another for me; Wednesdays are just as important as Sundays.
35. I have been fortunate to have a second chance at higher education.
36. Business qualifications, knowledge and skill have always been helpful.
37. I see my parents at least every fortnight and I have a great relationship with them.
38. I have three beautiful nieces and two beautiful nephews.
39. I have a sense of humor (most of the time).
40. Even when things don’t go my way, I usually see the good things.
41. I have a wonderful view outside my office window of a serene operating harbor.
42. I am living in the present; on the very cusp of time. I’m not dead yet.
43. The part of the earth I live on is such an uninhabitable place weather-wise (most of the time).
44. I have the capacity and inclination to love: people and living things and my experiences.
45. I have a telephone so I can talk to people who are far away.
46. ​​​​I have photos of my lovely family that I can look at; at home, at work, in my wallet.
47. I meet interesting people almost every day.
48. Living near the beach: There’s nothing like the white noise of waves.
49. Clean water is available to drink at this time.
50. There is a plant that I am responsible for and it has not died yet!
51. I have fish oil pills and other vitamins to supplement my diet.
52. I have the powers of self-control most of the time and the drive to improve.
53. I am a member of a gym.
54. The academic qualifications I have and the studies I have done have helped me shape my character to become the person I always wanted to be.
55. I can make a one-time contribution.
56. I have a positive image of myself and am grateful that I worked on it.
57. There is work I can do to keep myself stimulated.
58. I can feel pain; most of the time this is good for bread is usually a healthy sign.
59. I have a watch, it looks nice and goes with my style, and I know how to tell the time.
60. I have more than three (and almost four) decades of life memories; The good, the bad and the ugly.
61. Being in a more western location means the sun is setting on the horizon with the water in the foreground, that’s pretty special!
62. There are plans that I am making and have made, therein lies hope.
63. I met some famous and successful people and was inspired.
64. Coffee. I love it, and I can have great coffee every day if I want to.
65. I make enough money to give something away to the less fortunate.
66. Music. I really appreciate it. (And I think I have good taste, I’m allowed to say that.)
67. Enthusiasm and zeal for life and learning; I have it most of the time. I’m still excitable.
68. I have suffered losses and survived them. It has actually made me a better person!
69. People honor me sometimes when they come to me for help.
70. Having turned forty… the best is yet to come.
71. I live in times of (relative) peace.
72. I have a passion for cricket and Australian rules football and follow both fervently.
73. This time I live is dynamic; excitement around.
74. I love pizza, seafood, and ice cream, as well as many other good foods.
75. I see miracles happen most days. Most people would call these things ‘normal’.
76. I can rest and take time to smell the flowers almost whenever I want.
77. Words and their meanings move me. Language and communication are art.
78. Freedom of choice is something I appreciate and try not to take for granted.
79. I have overcome dependence on substances, for example, cigarettes.
80. The ‘creativity of thought’ is a gift that I appreciate.
81. I can ride a modern train any day I want and see the sights.
82. There is a reliable public transportation system where I live; I feel hurt almost every time I use it.
83. The smile of a wife or a daughter… what more could I say.
84. My ‘mood file’ is growing; people encourage me almost every day.
85. The mentors who have invested their time and effort in me, I will be eternally grateful.
86. Remind me of Maxwell Smart. I can watch TV because I have one.
87.Mathematics. Number sense makes sense to me.
88. I like the desire to continue growing throughout my life.
89. Wisdom. I see it in others and others sometimes see it in me. I love its truth.
90. My family’s safety so far; I try not to take it for granted.
91. I receive continuous training through courses, seminars, conferences and workshops.
92. Science. I marvel. It has to be clever design.
93. My heart is saddened by some things I see, I am happy for that.
94. Health. My general health, while not perfect, pleases me.
95. Movies and dating – I get to go out with my wife and I love watching movies with her.
96. The offer of shopping centers that I have at my disposal is incredible.
97. I become “me” for all my life. That’s not bad.
98. I can wear whatever clothes I have; I can also dress myself.
99. One day you might be blessed enough to have grandchildren and maybe great-grandchildren.
100. I could live to be 100 years old by the grace of God. I’m “not out” so far.

While not all of us can subscribe to every item on this particular list of mine, it does illustrate the important point that each of us has very specific and very detailed reasons to be extremely grateful. Where you may not be able to list certain items that I have, I am sure you may have items that I was unable to list.

There really is no limit to this list when we think about it.

Copyright (c) 2008, SJ Wickham.