Everything - well nearly everything - is right in this country

...just means that we can also spread some joy and happiness and gladness in this world too.

Now wouldn't that be lovely if that was why this thread was started? However, it begins by calling other members doom-mongers and naysayers. Is that really starting a thread about the soft, nice, cuddly stuff you want or is it there to goad?

Why is it that people can’t accept a happy thread with some positive thoughts without saying we are all looking through rose coloured glasses. Do all you posting on the other threads think you are the only people in the world who care about others being hungry or starving or being homeless.
I think we all (no matter how you vote) have a loved one (or more than one) who are suffering in some way. Some trauma, dread, pain anxiety and worry in our lives. We are not living in cloud cuckoo land just trying to have a little lighthearted thread. Doesn’t mean we don’t care, doesn’t mean we don’t understand suffering just means that we can also spread some joy and happiness and gladness in this world too.
My decs are already up. I love the lights on the dark evenings. My tree is tiny with lots of baubles.
I love this country (can see its faults) but would not want to live anywhere else except perhaps Switzerland at Christmas coz I love snow ⛄️

Happy leaf raking M0nica
I should get out there and do some but I intend to sit indoors with a cup of tea and write Christmas cards!

We sent some stuff to the charity shop and put some Christmassy food and three boxes of cards into the charity collection for the elderly at the supermarket yesterday - or is that virtue signalling? and feeling thankful, like crystaltipps that we don't have to use it. And thankful for the people who were doing the collection.

Yes I’m going to get my decs out and do some gardening plus sort out stuff for the charity shop and food bank and I’m very grateful I’m not having to use their services - that’s positive surely?

I’m not closing my eyes and ears I can see the positives and have commented on them but those who call people “miserable shits” for pointing out that not everything is marvellous and we aren’t that superior aren’t exactly brimming with the milk of human kindness are they?

Love it MOnica - happy leaf raking. We're decking the halls so another happy bunny here

It is a lovely day today, cloudy but no wind so I am going to indulge in my favourite garden task - raking leaves.

There is something about their colour and smell that just calms me, elates me and makes my heart sing.

And in the spirit of goodwill on this happy thread, I am telling you this so that those who are only happy when contemplating the world's ills can curl up in a chair with a cup of cocoa and commiserate with all those people who are unable to share my pleasure because they hate raking leaves.

Eloethan - I suggest if you're going to quote words used by me you don't miss off the rest of the sentence, which was
It's so good not to click in and find the usual spite/vitriol/negativity that accompanies many of the political threads,.

I wasn't referring to anyone contributing to this hap-hap-happy thread, (your words). God forbid anyone on this forum trying to inject some lighthearted thoughts - it obviously rubs up the usual doom and gloom merchants.

Hetty58, rose tinted glasses, you can buy them in Glastonbury and they are amazing. I tried a pair on and everything is sparkly and lovely and even the black clouds are beautiful to look at. A lot like some of them comments on this thread.

It is a lovely country for some but not for those on the streets and as someone said everyone should have food and housing.

Take off the glasses.

Those who can’t stand to hear a different take on their narrow mindedness and hit out with name calling - moaners, miseries etc are the ones who close their eyes and ears

Do you not suspect that this describes you as much as it describes anyone else.

Those who can’t stand to hear a different take on their narrow mindedness and hit out with name calling - moaners, miseries etc are the ones who close their eyes and ears - they really don’t like freedom of speech or opinion. Yes we can all pick out nice things about wherever we live and be happy about that doesn’t mean we have to be all superior about it. This is supposed to be a discussion.

Isn't it possible to be glad to live in UK whilst still seeing its faults? Nothing is completely good or completely bad. I love living in UK, would never consider living anywhere else, but still acknowledge we have problems.

I am glad to live in a country where I have freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom to wear what I wish.

Opal You refer to posters who "spread their misery" - apparently we are required to toe the party line if we want to contribute to this thread.

In whitewave's thread, the people who took exception to her comments were extremely rude. The trend has continued on this thread as the backbiting and personal attacks continue:

"they [i.e. those who - against instructions - have the nerve to express a different opinion] can't help themselves".

"doom mongers slagging off our country" (it isn't just your country and it isn't about "slagging off" our country. It is about feeling sad and angry that many of its citizens and its valued institutions are suffering. It is a good deal more negative to say words to the effect that "there has always been poverty", "it was worse in the "old days" ", etc, etc, than to aspire to better lives for all Britain's citizens. If it had been up to the Conservatives after WW2, we wouldn't have an NHS or compulsory secondary education, amongst many other things.)

"spite and vitriol and negativity" (of course, referring to anyone who has the effrontery to bring a touch of realism into this hap-hap-happy thread - and where exactly is the "spite" and "vitriol"?)

"miserable beggars"

"whiners"

"sour pusses".

You finish your post on a very aggressive and confrontational note - "couldn't give a shit" about "miserable shits". And then you complain about being insulted - really!

Thanks to all who have given positive remarks, but to those of you who just can't help but spread your misery, even when it is not asked for, I think it is you who should take a long hard look at yourselves. Slate me all you like, I really couldn't give a s**t, but the fact that you criticise and insult others simply because they have responded positively to a positive thread just about sums you all up. Miserable ****s.

I have had a brilliant idea, at least I think it is.

Next time any one starts a misery thread, we all make totally irrelevant posts saying how wonderful everything is.

It is clear that quite a number of posters have neither properly read the title or OPs original post. or may be the things they post that seem so miserable to many of us, are the things that make them happy - except they cannot be happy because they enjoy being miserable. What very confusing lives they must lead,

Hetty58 i so agree with you, must be nice to see through rose coloured glasses, everything must look perfect

I love our countryside, the change of season and the trees changing colour. I even love snow. I also love living in this country because of the way most of us help those in need but I am ashamed that we have a country with the need for food banks. Maybe we should start a thread what makes you ashamed of this country just to balance it up.

Wow inkcog, that was in poor taste.

Jennifer, have you by any chance had a lobotomy?

Well since we are continually being told that due to alleged climate change we are all doooomed, we may as well stick to the original thread and enjoy being here while we can!!

I guess our British sense of humour has been mentioned.
I love the fact that we are happy to laugh at ourselves.

Some nationalities take themselves very seriously don’t they?

Incredible, isn't it? Just close your mind and you can believe anything, it's said. Ignore anything too, it seems. So many living in their own little worlds!

What planet are you on.

We are in a very serious situation with regard to the climate crisis.

Of course the U.K. “comes top” for you - you live here and it’s what you are used to.

I also agree, Tedber. I suppose it was inevitable that it would go off the point of the original post though, sadly.

If you have traveled to other countries, not just to “holiday resorts” and capitol cities you begin to realise how lucky we are to live in the UK.

Yes there are other fabulous countries/cities but UK always comes out top for us.