Hello lovely people. So I went to a seminar about Positive Psychology on Friday, and it was insightful and interesting and positive. One thing I took from it is that in every day life, we have a tendency to focus on negative stuff. When we get home from work we whinge about our day. Often we forget to appreciate the little good things that happen: the smile from a stranger, the funny platform announcer at the tube station, the really fantastic sandwich, the hug from a loved one at the end of the day, the coffee date with an old friend, the nice feedback from a client...
The guy who ran the session recommended that we get into the habit of thinking about, and writing down, 3 good things that have happened every day, and also to think about why that made us feel good.
I thought it would be really nice to start doing this as part of my project365, since I post here everyday anyway, and I started this discussion just in in case any of you fancy joining me. Why not post your #3GoodThings alongside your picture each day?
I genuinely think that taking the time to consciously remember and appreciate the nice things that happen is an easy way to transform how we think about our days.
So, my 3 good things today:
1 - My excellent boyfriend came back from Belgium today and I spent two wonderful hours with him before he went off to Munich
2 - The nice man who sold me my Scrabble necklace ages ago remembered me and fixed it for free when I took it back to him today
3 - Laughing with my fellow 365ers as I cycled through the torrential rain holding an umbrella, purely as a photo opportunity for Alison.
Ooh I am - and I feel bad because so far all I've done is moan about the weather and animal cruelty (well the latter's fair enough) but I could have said:
We left out lots of stuff from our party and it didn't rain on it
I met lots of lovely smiley doggies and kind rescue people
I met an amazing man who does gruelling charity things so that he can send wounded soldiers on gruelling things and make them feel like they are whole again.
1. It's the last day of summer so Hobbit and I are making the most of it.
2. I got in some lovely knitting time outside while Hobbit played in the fresh air.
3. We're fixin' to make some Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies and who can't consider that a good thing!
Fabulous idea, will probably change the life of every person that embraces the challenge.
1. Finally, being the first person to find a geocache.
2. MC's random funny comments.
3. Seeing an elk close up.
I watched a video about this a couple of weeks ago and think it is a fabulous idea. I've been doing it every night before I sleep and have been sleeping happier and waking up happier.
Today's list:
1 - I smiled at an old man while walking home and he responded with an even bigger smile and a 'bless you'
2 - After 2 months of travelling, I got back and am thoroughly enjoying English internet speeds.
3 - I found a pack of instant noodles in my bag with a note from my mum for those days when I got lazy.
:)
This came up in something else I was doing, only you were asked to think of up to 5 things and you made a list for three weeks. The idea is you then look it over at the end of that period and realize that things are better than you thought. Anyway FWIW here's my 3 things (and as Disha says it's a great way to wind down at night, I do genuinely feel better in the morning for it).
1. Sunday morning, lying on the sofa in the sunlight, reading a book in peace and quiet.
2. Today I bought some really delicious bread.
3. I tried out a new Moroccan recipe (sausages in roasted pepper sauce) for lunch and it was every bit as delicious as I'd hoped, and looked just like the pictures.
My 3 good things today (in chronological order):
1- Drinking my tea at 6:30am, alone, for the last time in thebeautiful garden of the house we had rent for the week, with hydrangea
2- Singing with the children one of my "favorite old songs" (when I was young, in the 80's...) while I was driving
3- The burst of laughter, this evening during the diner, when my youngest son, Oscar (6 y.o.), exclaimed "Oh no! Not a mud quiche!" when his grand-mother came at the table with a quiche a little bit overdone... Great moment! :D
#1 All 44 people at our family reunion have arrived safely home
#2 Beautiful day to relax, bike and read
#3 Hubby helped me carry and move 10 boxes into my classroom!
My 3 good things:
1) A long walk this beautiful morning with my husband was a great way to start the day!
2) Sat on the porch this afternoon with my husband and enjoyed a dip of ice cream.....yum:)
3) The house is clean, laundry done and grocery shopping complete......now I am going to sit on the sofa and catch up with my 365 friends!
Yep, it's been a good day:)
Cool thread, I've been doing something like this in my head for years. Whenever someone asks me "How are you?" I always respond "I'm happy!" and use it as a reminder to think of a bunch of things I can be happy about!
Ok.. three things right now:
1. Putting on my favorite t-shirt after showering
2. Cherries! (Sale price even!)
3. Best of all, cuddles with my 6 yo when he woke up :-)
what a great idea...
1. I phoned my best mate whilst we walked through the flower market without talking to him so he could hear the hollers of the market sellers in their East London acents - it makes him smile and that makes me smile!
2. Drinking Pimms in the pub with 365-ers; it's becoming a (good) habit
3. The sun (so nice to be warm), the rain (so nice to be cooled), the sun (so nice to dry off!)
I have had a stressful couple of weeks, so this is a great idea
1. I have a little baby in my belly and I have just started to feel it move.
2. Hot chocolate
3. Spring is close and there are lots of blossoms for me to photograph
what a great idea!
1. had a great run early this morning to start the day
2. went for a walk to see whta I could photograph, and came upon a vine full of grapes...yum..
3. finishing my day now with a nice glass of wine :)
Martha, it is 7 o'clock on Monday morning but this thread and reading all these lovely comments has put a smile on my face :o) My three from yesterday.
1. Eldest son came home for the day...it was lovely to spend some time with him.
2. Hubby cooked a beautiful roast dinner and the roast potatoes were the best I've ever eaten.
3. I managed to write about 100 words (!!) on my latest assignment :o)
@m9f9l : Oulala... What a shame!!?! You want to know that song?!... :o)
Well it's a french song, typical of the 80's... The title is "Une autre histoire" by Gérard Blanc, who used to sing in the Martin Circus, a french rock group in the 70's & 80's... I thing that a lot of teenagers girls in the 80's love that song because of the clip, the romantic theme and... the Gérard Blanc's moustache!!!! ;o)) Well all I can tell is that now with my friends (girls only of course...) and my cousines we always sing at the top of our voices this song, every time we heard it... And now my 3 boys knows the lyrics and sing with me!!!!! Sure they don't when they are with their friends!!!!! :D
@svt VERY 80's!! I feel sorry for the first girl. I liked it once it got to the rhythm. Ha ha on the Marylene. Those clothes! Of course I know that song as Barbara Ann. And the last one really made me smile. Those dance moves! Thanks for sharing :-)
Lovely post Martha. I do this with my kids each night before they go to sleep. It is a good way to find out all sorts of extra bits of information from them about their day, and leaves them with a nice positive note to go to sleep on
Well sadly I think I'm too often quite a negative person, so this would be a good thing for me to do.
3 of today's blessings:
The azaleas in my front garden have started to bloom
I tried making bread today and it was a success
Still amazed today at the wonderfully clean and tidy house I met last night when I got home from a 3 day trip to Melbourne.
Great thread idea! We used to do this last school year around the dinner table: Everyone had to recite three things that they were grateful for that happened during the day...
1. That at my ripe old age I can still do a "funky chincken."
2. I have the most incredible kiddo ever...and am excited for her new school year.
3. Had wonderful memories of my mum today as I made her secret mac and cheese recipe!!!
1. My feeder was packed with gold finches eating breakfast together.
2. I have the best job ever. Friday I spent the day in the Governor's Mansion interviewing some superb women leaders.
3. My husband makes everything ok.
1) I finally got round to buying a traditional long sleeved rugby top to mooch around the house in AND it was 75% off :D
2) My sunflowers have finally fully bloomed and are taller than me (not hard when I'm a measly 5'1" but I'm still proud they haven't died!)
3) My other half is cooking me dinner, whilst I get to sit on the sofa watching The Big Bang Theory and 365'ing :)
Wowzers guys, thanks so much for your replies and sharing all your three good things. It's been wonderful to read such happy things. Hope you've managed to keep it up today! Always a little more tricky on a Monday ;) But still possible!
It's a very positive routine to get into. If you're interested in reading any more about positive psychology let me know and I'll point you towards some blogs I know of :)
@svt Sophie -- how funny -- I went to see the video. Amazing how videos have changed since the 80s. He had quite the head of hair and moustache!!! Thanks for sharing your "blast form the past". :-D
1. My daughter had her first day in 4th grade -- it was a good day!
2. I cooked all day -- feeling like a domestic goddess!
3. Enjoyed a beautiful dip in the pool this evening with my darling daughter...perfect way to end a perfect day.
@wrighty : Thank you to you, Martha! What a great idea! I have decided to put my 3 good things of the day under my photo, every day... Hope I will keep on when I will be back to work!!! :o)
Love this post!! I used to keep a Gratitude Journal listing 5 good things about my day. I put that aside a few years ago for some reason ~ but this post has encouraged me to start again. Living life with gratitude, compassion and awareness makes a huge difference in the quality of our days.
1. I am very thankful for your reminder, Martha!!
2. and 3. will come as my day progresses...it's only 5:30am :)
My family play a similar game every night during dinner. We ask each other what was the best thing about their day. It encourages our two daughters to talk about their day instead of saying "I don't know" or "I can't remember".
My three things for today:
1. A beautiful winter morning
2. Hugs from my girls
3. The coffee my husband made me after dinner.
Good idea! I've had a sucky day really but here are my #3GoodThings:
1. I had to call in sick at work, but my boss was really nice about it.
2. My mum collected my carnival costume for me which reminded me that Notting Hill Carnival is in 6 days time :)
3. I just received a really nice phone call.
I just want to thank you for this post coz this message has been coming back at me over and over today and i really needed to hear it n let the meaning sink in. I am not sure if i'll keep this up but i am gonna try and assure myself that it works.
@sheetalthakker I'm so glad I posted this as people do seem to be genuinely getting something from it. I hope we can all keep it up, even on the low days. There is always something to smile about :)
What a great idea.
My three good things for today:
1. I'm alive.
2. Humming birds at my feeder, and a cardinal in my tree.
3. The sun is shining and it's a gorgeous day.
This is a great initiative, and I have been doing it every day before I go to sleep, since this thread started. Today, I'll share :D
1: Even though I ate quite unhealthy early on in the day, I managed to make it up by eating a healthy dinner and therefore not breaking my calorie intake for the day too seriously (I am trying to lose weight like everyone else!)
2: I wore my favorite high heels while making dinner, cause they are just too damn cute! (and $20 on sale!)
3: I managed to read 1/3 of my homework for a field trip to Iceland I have coming up next week. I hadn't read anything before today, but today I finally started!
Tweets ahoy!
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We left out lots of stuff from our party and it didn't rain on it
I met lots of lovely smiley doggies and kind rescue people
I met an amazing man who does gruelling charity things so that he can send wounded soldiers on gruelling things and make them feel like they are whole again.
2. I got in some lovely knitting time outside while Hobbit played in the fresh air.
3. We're fixin' to make some Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies and who can't consider that a good thing!
I love this kind of thing - thanks Martha!
1. Finally, being the first person to find a geocache.
2. MC's random funny comments.
3. Seeing an elk close up.
Today's list:
1 - I smiled at an old man while walking home and he responded with an even bigger smile and a 'bless you'
2 - After 2 months of travelling, I got back and am thoroughly enjoying English internet speeds.
3 - I found a pack of instant noodles in my bag with a note from my mum for those days when I got lazy.
:)
1. Sunday morning, lying on the sofa in the sunlight, reading a book in peace and quiet.
2. Today I bought some really delicious bread.
3. I tried out a new Moroccan recipe (sausages in roasted pepper sauce) for lunch and it was every bit as delicious as I'd hoped, and looked just like the pictures.
1, Went out this morning for a hike, which was totally unexpected after doing a long hike yesterday.
2. Managed to save two mice from Gizzy, onethis morning and another this aftrnoon, and released them back into the fields.
3. Actually had a light bulb moment this evening and finally understand what the question is asking me for my next psychology assignment :)
My 3 good things today (in chronological order):
1- Drinking my tea at 6:30am, alone, for the last time in thebeautiful garden of the house we had rent for the week, with hydrangea
2- Singing with the children one of my "favorite old songs" (when I was young, in the 80's...) while I was driving
3- The burst of laughter, this evening during the diner, when my youngest son, Oscar (6 y.o.), exclaimed "Oh no! Not a mud quiche!" when his grand-mother came at the table with a quiche a little bit overdone... Great moment! :D
Thank you Martha! Sure it changes the life... :)
#1 All 44 people at our family reunion have arrived safely home
#2 Beautiful day to relax, bike and read
#3 Hubby helped me carry and move 10 boxes into my classroom!
1) A long walk this beautiful morning with my husband was a great way to start the day!
2) Sat on the porch this afternoon with my husband and enjoyed a dip of ice cream.....yum:)
3) The house is clean, laundry done and grocery shopping complete......now I am going to sit on the sofa and catch up with my 365 friends!
Yep, it's been a good day:)
Ok.. three things right now:
1. Putting on my favorite t-shirt after showering
2. Cherries! (Sale price even!)
3. Best of all, cuddles with my 6 yo when he woke up :-)
1. I phoned my best mate whilst we walked through the flower market without talking to him so he could hear the hollers of the market sellers in their East London acents - it makes him smile and that makes me smile!
2. Drinking Pimms in the pub with 365-ers; it's becoming a (good) habit
3. The sun (so nice to be warm), the rain (so nice to be cooled), the sun (so nice to dry off!)
1. 365 meet up
2. shooting with a model on the beach tomorrow
3. its bedtime...mmmmmm bedtime....
1 - Arrived home and took my shoes off
2 - I didn't die
3 - Thank god the day is over
1. It's been super nice outisde!
2. My dad and I went on a bikeride
3. I finished a good book this afternoon
1. I have a little baby in my belly and I have just started to feel it move.
2. Hot chocolate
3. Spring is close and there are lots of blossoms for me to photograph
1. had a great run early this morning to start the day
2. went for a walk to see whta I could photograph, and came upon a vine full of grapes...yum..
3. finishing my day now with a nice glass of wine :)
1. Eldest son came home for the day...it was lovely to spend some time with him.
2. Hubby cooked a beautiful roast dinner and the roast potatoes were the best I've ever eaten.
3. I managed to write about 100 words (!!) on my latest assignment :o)
1. I found my long lost camera battery
2. I had a day off work
3. I ate a whole block of Rocky Road.
Well it's a french song, typical of the 80's... The title is "Une autre histoire" by Gérard Blanc, who used to sing in the Martin Circus, a french rock group in the 70's & 80's... I thing that a lot of teenagers girls in the 80's love that song because of the clip, the romantic theme and... the Gérard Blanc's moustache!!!! ;o)) Well all I can tell is that now with my friends (girls only of course...) and my cousines we always sing at the top of our voices this song, every time we heard it... And now my 3 boys knows the lyrics and sing with me!!!!! Sure they don't when they are with their friends!!!!! :D
If you want to listen to...
- Une autre histoire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PEUEbpoe_w
- Two of the Marin Circus most well-known song: Marylène ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEtDIDPZxrc) and Je m'éclate au Sénégal ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otaBEWWC0FA)
Have a nice day!! :)
3 of today's blessings:
The azaleas in my front garden have started to bloom
I tried making bread today and it was a success
Still amazed today at the wonderfully clean and tidy house I met last night when I got home from a 3 day trip to Melbourne.
1. That at my ripe old age I can still do a "funky chincken."
2. I have the most incredible kiddo ever...and am excited for her new school year.
3. Had wonderful memories of my mum today as I made her secret mac and cheese recipe!!!
1 When getting the bus this morning a mature gentleman let me get on 1st (even though he was waiting longer than me). I smiled and thanked him.
2 The help I got here with the Multiple Exposures Challenge which was appreciated.
3 Saw an offer for an online photography course for £49 instead of £399 - needless to say I applied for it.
2. I have the best job ever. Friday I spent the day in the Governor's Mansion interviewing some superb women leaders.
3. My husband makes everything ok.
2) My sunflowers have finally fully bloomed and are taller than me (not hard when I'm a measly 5'1" but I'm still proud they haven't died!)
3) My other half is cooking me dinner, whilst I get to sit on the sofa watching The Big Bang Theory and 365'ing :)
Wowzers guys, thanks so much for your replies and sharing all your three good things. It's been wonderful to read such happy things. Hope you've managed to keep it up today! Always a little more tricky on a Monday ;) But still possible!
It's a very positive routine to get into. If you're interested in reading any more about positive psychology let me know and I'll point you towards some blogs I know of :)
1. My daughter had her first day in 4th grade -- it was a good day!
2. I cooked all day -- feeling like a domestic goddess!
3. Enjoyed a beautiful dip in the pool this evening with my darling daughter...perfect way to end a perfect day.
Have a nice day! :)
1. I am very thankful for your reminder, Martha!!
2. and 3. will come as my day progresses...it's only 5:30am :)
My three things for today:
1. A beautiful winter morning
2. Hugs from my girls
3. The coffee my husband made me after dinner.
1. I had to call in sick at work, but my boss was really nice about it.
2. My mum collected my carnival costume for me which reminded me that Notting Hill Carnival is in 6 days time :)
3. I just received a really nice phone call.
My three good things for today:
1. I'm alive.
2. Humming birds at my feeder, and a cardinal in my tree.
3. The sun is shining and it's a gorgeous day.
1: Even though I ate quite unhealthy early on in the day, I managed to make it up by eating a healthy dinner and therefore not breaking my calorie intake for the day too seriously (I am trying to lose weight like everyone else!)
2: I wore my favorite high heels while making dinner, cause they are just too damn cute! (and $20 on sale!)
3: I managed to read 1/3 of my homework for a field trip to Iceland I have coming up next week. I hadn't read anything before today, but today I finally started!