muggiwhplar Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 In case none of you have read any of my posts... I'm obsessed with happiness :D I recall that the very first big "game changer" in my life which led me down this path was an exercise that one of my psych professors taught me. The exercise is simple, anyone can do it. I want you to think of someone who has had a positive impact on your life, no matter how significant or insignificant it was. They can be dead or alive, real or imaginary, it doesn't really matter. Take about 30 minutes out of your day to sit down, relax, and just think about someone or something that you are grateful for and have been influenced by. Write a letter to them, stating why and how they had an influence on your life. You don't have to actually send them this letter if you don't want to or don't feel comfortable; you can keep this letter to yourself if you wish. Simply thinking about this and writing down your thoughts is enough to complete the exercise. You could write a letter to your parents, or your best friend, or maybe a teacher or someone who had a profound impact on your life. In my case, the first letter I wrote was to a close friend of mine who taught me how to come out of my shell (I'm a hardcore introvert at heart). He taught me how to be social, how to make friends, and how to make people laugh; and for that, I am eternally grateful for his friendship. Had I never met him, there's a strong chance that a lot of my other close friends today wouldn't actually be my close friends because I wouldn't know how to interact with them "properly." You don't really have anything to lose by trying this out, especially if you decide to keep your letter to yourself. This might actually end up being the first time that you can make yourself cry out of sheer happiness and joy-- and you can also make someone else feel the same way if you choose to share your letter. So yeah. Try it. None of you should feel obligated to share your letters in this thread or anything; they should definitely be kept private if you wish. I just want you to let me know how it feels to try this. :) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RpgGamer Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 I think there's something to be said about the similarity this exercise has to flexing the ability to forgive Quote Quote Anyone who likes tacos is incapable of logic. Anyone who likes logic is incapable of tacos. PSA: SaqPrets is an Estonian Dude Steam: NippleBeardTM Origin: Brand_New_iPwn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggiwhplar Posted April 22, 2014 Author Share Posted April 22, 2014 Yes definitely. I think forgiveness is a lot harder to achieve than gratitude though :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggiwhplar Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 So... How many of you actually tried this? >_> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obfuscator Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Gratitude is an Attitude of giving Platitude to the Multitude who.... I have no poetry ability to be grateful for, clearly "It's not a rest for me, it's a rest for the weights." - Dom Mazzetti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggiwhplar Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 I chuckled at the irony of people being more willing to try taking cold showers than trying this simple exercise haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obfuscator Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 I chuckled at the irony of people being more willing to try taking cold showers than trying this simple exercise haha Never said I wouldn't do it :P Is this supposed to be a daily thing? Or a one off? "It's not a rest for me, it's a rest for the weights." - Dom Mazzetti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estonian dude Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Cold showers help physically. And immediately. So I've noticed this thread's regulars all follow similar trends. RPG is constantly dealing with psycho exes.Muggi reminds us of the joys of polygamy.Saq is totally oblivious to how much chicks dig him.I strike out every other week.Kalphite wages a war against the friend zone.Randox pretty much stays rational.Etc, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggiwhplar Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 I chuckled at the irony of people being more willing to try taking cold showers than trying this simple exercise hahaNever said I wouldn't do it :P Is this supposed to be a daily thing? Or a one off?Naw not daily. I generally do it on "special occasions" though if you've never done it before I'd recommend trying it once immediately. It's definitely in the "top tier" of things that make me really really happy. The first time I did this made me happier than my first cold shower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giordano Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I chuckled at the irony of people being more willing to try taking cold showers than trying this simple exercise hahaThat was when TIF was more populated, no? As for this, I'll be frank I don't see how this would bring me a feeling of happiness. I already show my gratitude to those few who has helped me, I don't need to write it down saying thanks to them. "The cry of the poor is not always just, but if you never hear it you'll never know what justice is." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggiwhplar Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Try it, you'll be surprised. Like I said, many of my friends cry when they finally try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RpgGamer Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 "Thank you notes are the key to the doors of opportunity" I'm writing one soon to my academic advisor who pleaded my case to the dean so that I can graduate with Honors instead of the typical plebeian graduation diplomas :) Quote Quote Anyone who likes tacos is incapable of logic. Anyone who likes logic is incapable of tacos. PSA: SaqPrets is an Estonian Dude Steam: NippleBeardTM Origin: Brand_New_iPwn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger_Warrior Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 I do with cards and a box of chocolates. I definitely get the impression people value the chocolates more than the friendly gratitude though. Dat Maslow's heirachy. | Favourite Game Music | Last.fm | HYT Friend Chat Rules | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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