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Would you like to join a kindness and gratitude thread?

(180 Posts)
Applegran Fri 10-Oct-25 19:51:11

I think we all know that loving kindness given and received makes us happy. And gratitude makes us happier too. There is plenty of research evidence to confirm this – but all we have to do is pay attention to our instinctive knowledge to know it is true.

So I have the idea of a thread where we share examples of true loving kindness, and of gratitude for things in our lives, some of which we might otherwise take for granted.

We could grow a shared positive life thread. This is not to deny that we all have painful times – just to say we can have happier lives if we allow ourselves to pay attention to kindness and gratitude, and this will help us in the hard times too.

On this thread you can tell us about kindnesses done and received, and if you are shy about telling something kind you have done, in this thread its ok to say “someone I know/a relation/a friend…..’ or whatever you like. And of course it is ok to tell us directly of kindnesses you have done yourself. We could use the thread to express gratitude for kindness received too.

We can learn from each other and be uplifted by the loving kindness of others.

Gratitude is about paying attention to the good things in our lives and being grateful. Some people keep a daily gratitude diary and write about three things they are grateful for that day, with a word or two about why they are grateful. This thread might become a shared gratitude diary – if others join in, I would aim to add at least a short post about something I am grateful for every day. And kindnesses too but not necessarily daily. We could be cheered by each other and it could become part of the day for any of us who chose to join. What do you think?

I will start with something I am grateful for today: seeing beautiful tall trees beginning to turn to autumn colours. This took me beyond myself to enjoy and feel connected with nature.

And a kindness which springs to mind: I stopped in the street to rearrange a lot of bags and parcels I was carrying, and then walked on. A minute or two later a passerby caught me up – and gave me my handbag which I had left in the middle of the pavement.

Sending you loving thoughts for whatever difficulties you may have and wishing you good things.

Maremia Mon 03-Nov-25 16:51:42

Let's have a happy one now.
At Hallowe'en I was invited to be part of my GD's group.
We were the Sanderson Sisters from one of her favourite films, Hocus Pocus.
Lovely to be included.

Applegran Mon 03-Nov-25 14:17:31

Reported the post from Fredno

GoodAfternoonTea Mon 03-Nov-25 07:11:00

My lovely heart doctor. I went in for my first consultation expecting some po faced medical practitioner but was met by the most delightful young doctor who explained everything, was very caring and pleasant. I came out of the room feeling like someone actually listened. Mind, the hospital have had a lot of complaints about patient welfare, so I think they may be having a drive on being more human.

Dorsetcupcake61 Sun 02-Nov-25 08:22:02

My dearest friend visited from another part of the country. We had a lovely catch up. Im so lucky and grateful for her and the memories we share.

Applegran Sat 01-Nov-25 22:40:09

Harris27 how lovely to have all those kind words - and I am sure you have been kind with the children. Kindness to children is kindness which can stay with them for a lifetime. Happy retirement!

Harris27 Sat 01-Nov-25 22:05:27

I am so grateful for kind words that have been spoken to me this week as my boss’ released the news I was retiring at Christmas. The parents kindness will still be with me forever. I will miss the children too and take their lovely smiles and hugs with me as I close the door.

Redrobin51 Sat 01-Nov-25 21:50:08

I was coming back from meeting a dear friend and in front of me there was suddenly the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. Unfortunately, as it was a country road with nowhere to pull in so I had to carry on driving. Unusually the road was right in the middle of it. It made me feel as though I was driving through this most magnificent coloured arch. It really brightened up my day, nature is so wonderful.

JPB123 Sat 01-Nov-25 21:04:32

For the last week each morning when I go out to my garage I think to myself that I must sweep up all the leaves, or the drive will become slippery.When I went out this morning all the leaves are gone! I don’t know who removed them,I will find out tomorrow when I’m back.I am so grateful, I will tell them so.

Applegran Sat 01-Nov-25 19:46:45

Amelia Earhart was a trailblazing aviator and one of the most celebrated pioneers in aviation history. In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
Here is something she said about life that is very relevant to this thread:
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees"
I love this idea - an act of kindness to one person can lead to more kindness and create a kind of chain reaction, or ripples which spread far beyond that first act of kindness.

NotSpaghetti Fri 31-Oct-25 10:58:28

Wyllow3 I love your cleaner because she is obviously my mother-in-law's cleaner too!

She is truly (like yours) the most amazing woman - and has become like another daughter to my mother-in-law. They are now very close and really care for each other. I love her for her kindness, and the support and friendship she shares with my mother-in-law.

I have been checking in on her this morning as she needs tests at the hospital and i know she is anxious. I'm doing it because my mother-in-law won't remember to do this now (as she's had a stroke a few months ago and her memory isn't quite the same)... she feels like family now.

Hugs for her lovely cleaner. I am SO grateful to her for the happiness and her morale boosting friendship and the "can do" attitude she spreads around.

Witzend Fri 31-Oct-25 09:21:39

At Vauxhall station the other day, a long flight of steps reminded me of a few years ago when I was at the bottom of them with a heavy suitcase - having already come all the way by train from Dijon.
So I’m still so grateful to the lovely man who picked my case up without a word, and carried it up for me.

And always, such grateful thanks to dh, who was an absolute star when I was in hospital for 3 weeks. Plus of course to the NHS, for the excellent care I received.

Wyllow3 Thu 30-Oct-25 21:54:02

My cleaner.

Come for some time, and saw me through a profound depression by just coming and changing the bed and cleaning a long time. Then when I begun to get better she had a crisis and I just listened and asked apparently the right questions and didn't impose advice as I understood.

Then one day she said I want to be your friend too.

Recently after I was abused in an attack by a bloke in a religious setting on Oct 12th she has been a carer for a bit. She packed my bags to go away today and bossed me around what to do "go to bed after I go!" then shared worries about the side effects of meds I knew about and she was afraid of.

And I realised that I have just gained a daughter. It's a fit. she didn't have a great mum and I care about her a lot.

I'm blessed.

Applegran Thu 30-Oct-25 17:40:47

Just had a visit from an old friend and we talked non stop for 2 hours about a huge range of things as it got darker outside. So good to share thoughts.

Applegran Mon 27-Oct-25 10:56:04

Such a lovely idea to share acts of kindness by strangers. Here is a small one which stays with me. Long ago, queuing to get to the desk in a library, a woman ahead of me and at the front of the queue found out she had to pay a small fine on an overdue book before she could take out another one. She did not have her purse with her - and the person next to her in the queue paid the fine. A small act of kindness but very good to see.

NotSpaghetti Sun 26-Oct-25 17:08:44

Applegran there are others in this vein. You need to go here and scroll down.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/series/kindness-of-strangers

Going back to my earlier post, it would be so nice if the lady in the next bed saw the article.

DamaskRose Sun 26-Oct-25 15:58:08

A beautiful sunrise this morning, then I saw a robin and heard some geese. I’m happy.

Applegran Sun 26-Oct-25 15:48:35

Thank you NotSpaghetti - I followed the link and it is a really moving article. Even small kindnesses can make a big difference - and the article is about a huge kindness, with someone sharing and listening.

NotSpaghetti Sun 26-Oct-25 14:46:18

I don't know if anyone has been reading the Guardian "Kindness of Strangers" little articles.

This week it was by a lady who had cancer and how she valued the warmth and understanding of the lady in the next bed.
I think some of you may like to know about them.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/27/kindness-strangers-cancer-spread-woman-next-bed-reached-out

Beechnut Sun 26-Oct-25 09:32:10

It does Applgran. They probably laugh at us paying for it at fairgrounds.

LadyGaGa Sun 26-Oct-25 09:30:51

I love that Maremia. I’m currently stressing about having 9 round for lunch, half wishing I could just relax. But goodness me - it’s my children and lovely 3 GC. I rarely get them in the same house. And a special little one is a little boy who we never saw, but my son went to court earlier this year and now he’s part of our family. I’ve also got 5 step GC who mean just as much to me. Of course like all families there are problems galore, but we’re all in it together. And my eldest D is staying over tonight, the first time in ages, so we’ll enjoy her favourite- some crisps, dips and chilled white wine while we chat. How grateful am I now I’ve stopped and thought about it. A lovely thread.

Applegran Sun 26-Oct-25 09:17:52

Thank you. It is so lovely to hear from others who are enjoying the beauty of seeing rainbows, sunsets, and autumn colours in the trees.
Maremia I too love those words 'Gratitude turns what we have into enough' and here is another one I like - I hope you like it too: Happiness isn’t getting what you want—it’s loving what you’ve got.”
I have some challenges in my life - as so many poeple do - and I find it really helps to remember the good things I have too. Right now I'm looking at sunshine and some birds flying high. Do you think they enjoy swooping freely in the air? It looks so joyful!

gardenoma Sun 26-Oct-25 07:35:43

Such a glorious view from my bedroom windows over the sunny Yorkshire Dales and the nearby wood with its glorious autumn colours, and all that while I'm reading gransnet and having a morning mug of mocha (just nescafe with a half tsp cocao!)

Maremia Sun 26-Oct-25 07:17:28

Glowing sunrise this morning, to wake me up. 🌄

Maremia Sun 26-Oct-25 07:16:44

Gratitude turns what we have into enough
Love that one.

silverlining48 Sat 25-Oct-25 23:35:02

I am in Norfolk and this afternoon saw a lovely rainbow over the sea. I don’t think it had rained today so was a little surprised. In a nice way. This was followed by a stunning sunset. 🌇 . Weather forecast was poor this weekend but has been much better than expected.