Happy Thoughts

Second in the Infertility Series. In response to emails I got where the women had given up hope, were fighting depression and just did not see any reasons to be happy anymore. Originally published November 2001.

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Ah, the holiday season. A time when the focus is on family and celebrating the good things in a life. A time when we share laughter and pleasant company. A time when many wonder what is so great about their lives. Well, I could write volumes on what are the best things about life but that’s not why I include this section in the newsletters. This is where I try to give people something to think about, something that will make days a little easier to handle, something that might just make things better.

So I am not going to write this section. You are. Don’t worry. No one will see what you write unless you want someone to see it. But here is how it works:

1. Get a small notebook or a stack of papers and a good pen.
2. Leave these things by your bed.
3. Every night, before you set the alarm clock or turn off the light, write down three things that you were thankful for that day. They can be things like "spent some quality time with spouse at lunch" or "got in a good workout" or "matched all the socks from the dryer." Big or little, it doesn’t matter, as long as you were thankful that it happened.

Reread your list from time to time. When you’ve had a hard day or when you really need to smile, read your list. We all have plenty to be thankful for everyday. This is just one way of making those things tangible.