Be positive....a thankfulness thread!

[kthomas629]

We post so much negative and bad stuff here to talk out the phobia, I'd like to start a positive thread for once and see if we can keep it going. Thanks to this horrible phobia most of us approach the holidays with dread and fear thanks to the colder months that come with it and after it. So I want to do something to counter that!
I don't how many of you here are on Facebook, but I'm sure you have seen or heard of those "3 days or a week of gratefulness or thankfulness" or similar posts that circulate throughout social media. As we (Americans) approach the Thanksgiving holiday we often forget to be thankful and/or grateful for the good things in our lives and of course Thanksgiving is a good time to help us remember that. Now for our Canadian friends, I know you already had your Thanksgiving, but hey it's never a bad time to be thankful right! And our UK friends, I know you don't celebrate the day, but it doesn't hurt to remember how lucky, fortunate, blessed, etc. you are! This is completely voluntary to do, but I have found that in the darkest of times of my life, focusing on the good helps negate the bad and I survive it much easier and with less stress! One recommendation, try as HARD as you can NOT to bring up your phobia, good or bad. Focus on the OTHER aspects of your life, good only!! NOTHING NEGATIVE, ONLY POSITIVE AND HAPPY THOUGHTS HERE!!! Come on we can do it!!!!

I will start by saying that for myself I am extremely thankful for my wonderful extended family. I was blessed to be born to two wonderful parents, have two awesome little sisters, married a super man who in turn helped bless me with two great children! I grew up with a great big loving extended family who were very close and remain so today. I live very close to my family and we get together often and we laugh and laugh and have the best times when we are together. We are a loud bunch of people, but it's always so much fun. I have wonderful friends, many of which I have known for years and years, some since grade school and I still have them in my life and am so grateful to know them! I am working hard to finish my college degree because I feel I have finally found my "niche" in life and I look forward to finishing school and pursuing the career that has alluded me for so long. I have three wonderful furbabies including a 7 month old black lab/terrier mix puppy named Abby and I just adore her and my two kitties, Mac and Amelia. I have a wonderful home in a great neighborhood that I have lived in off and on for the last 30 years and I'm so grateful to be raising my kids here as well. My kids are healthy, happy and growing up to be such amazing young people that constantly keep me busy and so focused on the future because I want them to have equally wonderful lives for the years ahead. I know that my cup is truly full and I strive to keep myself focused and keep my eye on the prize of a happy future for everyone that is in my life and how I can play a role in helping them find that life too!

[mhartse]

I saw this post this morning and I'm sad theres no replies. I will reply by saying, that I don't really come on here that much. Cause it is triggering, and we're all trying to work out our own battles in our heads. But I am learning, SLOWLY, it is SO important to recognize positives in our life. I can go all day saying a million sentences and they can all be negative. But once I start talking positive I take on that attitude as well. So for me, I will say that Im positive/happy that I am off all my medications, and I am going through this agency that helps people with mental or physical disabilities per sue schooling/work, and I am going to see if i can go back to school/work from home! That will make me feel more productive and make some money too! I hope to see more posts on this thread!

[mdgirl1977]

I agree that it would be awesome to have a thankful thread! So I will share!

My son decided today to basically be the opposite of his normal crazy, ornery, backtalky self...what did he do?

1. He cleaned his room without asking.
2. Made his bed.
3. Sorted his lego.
4. Put his laundry in the hamper. All of it. Socks and everything.
5. Brushed his teeth without asking.
6. Organized MY SHOES by color. Lined them up even.
7. Gave me a MASSAGE.
8. Had my lay on the sofa and covered me with a blanket and gave me the remotes "just because I deserved a break"
9. Told me he loved me at least 10 times, hugs included.
10. Said "thank you" for everything we did this weekend.

I was stunned. I asked him if I was dead or dying. He laughed and said no. He just felt like behaving.

[mdgirl1977]

kthomas - it sounds like you have a truly wonderful, full life and that is so awesome! kids, pets, family, wonderful husband. cherish every minute.

mhartse - I am happy you sound more centered since going off meds and since linking up with that group to help you pursue your dreams. sometimes it just takes that one connection to get the right gears in motion. keep up the good work!

[Koizumiii]

It seems not many people have seen this or have seen this but don't know what to be thankful for...

I'm thankful for:
1. My boyfriend and best friend, who even if they don't really understand my emet, they still try to help me
2. My parents and sister, who might not accept my emet, but I know they will be there if I truly need them
3. My puppy, Zuzie, for always being next to me and more than willing to cuddle
4. Having the support of all of you and my therapist
5. The fact that I love the winter and fall months so much that it battles my fear and make sit so I'm not a shell of myself this half of the year