Writing a list of things you're grateful for may sound like a suggestion from a self-help book, but I think it's a great exercise, because of our natural tendency to take things for granted, and because optimism (within reason) is beneficial in many ways. To get things started, here's my list, in roughly descending order of importance. The purpose of this exercise isn't to compare your list to mine. (Our genes encourage us to ceaselessly compare ourselves to others, but this is usually counterproductive. If you must compare, compare yourself to someone who lived a thousand years ago, or a bird, or a rock.) The purpose is to give yourself a gentle reminder of all the good things you have that are too easily taken for granted.
I'm grateful that:
1. I exist.
2. I can think.
3. I can feel.
4. I'm healthy.
5. I am happy most of the time, and am rarely in pain.
6. I like myself.
7. I have (a small number of) people in my life whom I care about and who care about me.
8. I am (somewhat) conscious.
9. I have the ability to (partially) define myself.
10. I have enough money to not have to worry about money.
11. I live with a lot of freedom (of thought, speech, action, etc).
12. I have (a small number of) people in my life who understand me.
13. I get to spend most of my time with people I like.
14. I am (cautiously) optimistic about my future and the world's.
15. I don't hate anyone, and (as far as I know) no one hates me.
16. I have enough free time for projects like this site.
... etc. ...
Further down the list, I'm also grateful for...
742. XM channel 84
743. people who smile all the time
744. pineapple
745. billiards
746. serendipity
747. lucid dreams
748. Norman Borlaug
749. cool breezes on warm summer days
750. raspberry dacquiris
... etc. ...
Now it's your turn...