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Take Five

Submitted by Apathy on Tue, 2005-11-15 12:21.

It appears to me that there is a trend on this blog to find things that are controversial and then wait for others to comment so you can defend your position. Is that what we want the Web of Influence to be? Can it evolve into something more positive and uplifting? Some of the posters seem combatant and defensive. The cursing is becoming more frequent and we are influencing others to distance themselves from participating in the blog. Why would anyone want to comment on a post when they may be blasted by the sharp tongues of posters who take offense at another posters opinion?

Oprah Winfrey has a site where you can write in various journals and one particular one I remember she has promoted for a while is the Gratitude Journal. “Gratitude Journal — Record five things you love every day. Your entire outlook on life will change because you will be looking for the things you are happy about to record later on in your journal.” Writing for a journal is similar to writing for a web log. And it occurred to me that maybe we could try this on a post.

Why not write about the positive things in your daily life? Find five things each day to be grateful for and post a comment about them. If you try it, at first you will see that finding five things is difficult. Then you begin to really search for five things. Can you see five things today? Was your day horrible? Looking for five positive things can make you focus on the better part of your day. The commenters on your post will in turn be positive and supportive.

Instead of going through our lives looking for controversial things to post on, why not look for something to be grateful for? Instead of trying to complete our writing assignment and looking for something to write on that will create controversy, why not bring a positive, non-offending, influential comments to our posts? Instead of sniping, cursing, and criticizing, why not congratulate, praise, and commiserate?

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THANKFUL

Submitted by Apathy on Tue, 2005-11-15 13:45.

I’m grateful for the beautiful fall colors that make the world beautiful on a cloudy day.

IM THANKFUL THAT THANKSGIVING IS COMEING!!

Never Regret the Biggest Mistake of Your Life

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Pay it Forward

Submitted by Pay it forward (not verified) on Tue, 2005-11-15 14:13.

I'm grateful for you! Thank you for a more positive post. For anyone who's interested here's
Oprah's site.

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We all need uplifting once in a while

Submitted by Misty Jean on Tue, 2005-11-15 14:52.

First of all, completely I agree that more positive posts will be refreshing and nice for the blog. It is a really good idea to include the 'five things' in some posts.

I am grateful that I will be able to see snow for the first time this winter.
I am grateful to have made such good friends at Bryn Mawr.
I am grateful for all the opportunities that my family has worked hard to give me.
I am grateful that I am loved and supported.
and I'm also grateful that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I'll be able to see everyone I love.

With that being said:
I think that when people post things or ideas that might be controversial, it draws more people in to participate in our blog, and more people's opinions are heard. I think that hearing peoples opinions whether or not they are in accordance with the author's is beneficial to everyone and that people shouldn't be shy about posting things that will be controversial. In your post you said, "Why would anyone want to comment on a post when they may be blasted by the sharp tongues of posters who take offense at another posters opinion? " Wouldn't that also play true for people writing posts? Why would people want to write posts sharing their opinions if people will comment antagonistically, rather than sharing their differing view in a polite way. I think this all can be worked out if instead of not posting on potentially controversial subject matter, we just figure out a way to be more civil and understanding of other peoples opinions.

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great attitude!

Submitted by Appreciative (not verified) on Tue, 2005-11-15 15:01.

Thank you for your wonderful, positive attitude and expressing it to others. I'm hoping all who read this will do the same in expressing what they're thankful for and focusing on that instead of the horror in the world. I'm thankful to be surrounded by my family and loved ones. We really need to focus on the precious gifts in our lives.
You're an inspiration!

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Happiness in Blog-Form

Submitted by Shutterbug on Tue, 2005-11-15 22:14.

I'd like to go along the same lines as those not-verified comments as well as our class comments. THANK YOU for finally putting something a little less controversial, a little less angry, and a little less pessimistic onto the blog.

Five Things I am Grateful for:
-My family
-My friends
-My bed!
-Fall Colors (I completely agree Apathy)
-The fact that Thanksgiving is almost here :0)

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Yay for being positive! Five

Submitted by Drunk Like Socrates on Tue, 2005-11-15 22:50.

Yay for being positive! Five things I'm grateful for:

1) My life
2) My family
3) My friends
4) Tea and Coffee (I can't pick between the two!)
5) The fact that I have the resources to make more of my dreams come true than other people might.

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Perfect timing apathy

Submitted by Polly (not verified) on Tue, 2005-11-15 22:51.

With Thanksgiving around the corner you have created a post that makes us all take a few moments and really think about what matters the most to all of us. I'm sure everyone can agree on this at least.

It's a wonderful post and it is refreshing to just be able to read and enjoy thinking about which five things I can put down for today.

I am so grateful that I can go to sleep early tonight.
The full moon.
My wonderful new supportive friends.
That I have new flannel sheets.
That I finished two of my papers this weekend.

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