Happy Thanksgiving!
"The Boston Americans" are feasting on life again

.

Our sense of gratitude strongly drives our well-being.

This, according (even) to Wikipedia, which (in the equivalent of 260 feet of shelf space) philosophically shares only this one point with Dr. D.  There y'go amig-O.  If Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh ever do agree on anything, but do then agree on that one thing with gusto and party hats, I think I'll tune in to what that one thing turns out to be.  :- )

According to Wiki, a person with higher levels of gratitude / thankfulness / gratefulness is simply happier.  She is less stressed and less depressed than a "complainer."  Grateful people also have "higher levels of control of their environments."  They have more personal growth, are more open-minded, accept themselves as they are better, and have a sense of mission.

Thankful people are more positive in coping with problems - less likely to blame and deflect, more likely to seek support and tackle the problem with whole-heartedness and energy.  This is a recent discovery, folks.  Last century, psychology was Dr. D's college major and he can testify that it has only been in this century that psychologists (reluctantly) began probing this type of territory.  That is:  "POSITIVE" territory.  But now it is agreed:  "While many personality traits are important to well-being, gratitude may be uniquely important."

Speaking from a psych standpoint, in the last 30 years, America has been triangulating the question of how to be happier.

.....

Dr. Daniel Amen is at the cutting edge of brain scans conducted under directed thought and meditation.  He reduces his advice* to "the 60-second miracle":  each day, write down some things you are thankful for.  Then pick one or two and reflect back on it throughout the day.  Months later, our brains will scan as healthier.

This is some serious shtick :- )

I've got to admit, the Dalai Lama is one of the most cheerful people I've ever "seen."  Buddhist monks are scanned by Dr. Amen and theirs present as models of healthy brains.  They spend their lives focusing their thoughts on constructive things -- actually overdoing it, it says here -- and the physical brain of an advanced monk is like the physical bicep of Elliott Hulse.  Thought changes our brains physically.  They call it "Neural Plasticity."

It's in us to be happy.  That is, um, a pleasant thought. Have two kindsa pie today, dude.  Tomorrow, it's back to the lap pool, and that kind of day can be pleasant too.

.....

Gratitude journals, without the slightest overstatement, are among the most powerful tools at our disposal.  

Way back when, "reality therapist" Dr. Karl Meninger took severely mentally ill people and "forced" them to sit at a desk, "no matter how painful they claimed it was for them" he told us, and write down three good things that happened to them that day - even if it was only "the sun came out for a little while" or "Karen called me."  

Within two weeks of being forced to focus on nice things, they were functioning -- drastically better.  There is no prescription drug that does this for patients.  If there were, imagine what it would sell for.  It costs us $1.29, the price of a spiral notebook.

.....

My own experience is, the first thing is harder to write down than the next 25 things.  The dam breaks, the ideas proliferate like Dr. D's typing about Dustin Ackley and --- > voila.  You realize that we are, not wish that we were, "daily loaded with blessings," as a different literary source ;- ) put it.  And we have problems, but it hits us we can solve them ...

Gratitude has three core components.  The dictionary says it is "a warmly or deeply felt appreciation of benefits received."  To appreciate is to "be fully conscious of, to detect, to value highly."  So a thankful attitude REQUIRES:

  • A whole-hearted feeling
  • A recognition of the full value of the benefit (cf. imagine life if the opposite were true)
  • Something you got from, somebody*

You sitting for 120 seconds and thinking warmly about Mojician or Diderot or MoeDawg does not benefit THEM.  It benefits YOU.  Get it? Got it.  "Good."  :- )

.......

MLBTradeRumors confirms that the Starry-Scrubby M's are trying to grab at least one of these five specific hitters:

  • Matt Kemp
  • Justin Upton
  • Nelson Cruz
  • Yoenis Cespdes
  •  ... :: drumroll :: Evan Gattis

For my part, I'm wondering if they'll do that and also do a second important thing; a big TV payroll isn't going to be filled with just one move.   Right?  hmmm ...

........

I dunno if it works (as well) to type a mini-journal entry.  I doubt it.  But hey.  When was Dr. D ever capable of economy of motion?  he can only admire it from afar, from the third deck, on Happy Iwakuma Days.  Those days are yet another kind of pleasant.

1.  It's an especially Happy Thanksgiving with the Seahawks on.

2.  The more so vs. the 49'ers.  That, for me, is a historic rivalry, capable of eliciting huge emotion.  I feel "alive" during a 49'er game.

3.  The more so with absolutely everything I want to eat.  And don't think that ain't a metric ton.

4.  The more so doing it with loved ones.

5.  The more so doing it (over the course of time) with virtual friends on SSI who are fun to be with.

6.  The more so doing it with virtual friends on SSI who educate me about, and invigorate, my favorite hobby.  SSI denizens are the water in the desert, the sap in the tree.

7.  The ability to sleep in until whenever I want, and to do absolutely nothing all day.  Actually, to do absolutely everything all day.

8.  The admins at SSI, who keep this platform up for us, free, so we're free to shtick around.

9.  The fact that the Mariners are negotiating for players like Kemp and Upton.  Isn't it weird how a sports trade can emotionally feel like Christmas?

10.  One personal thing, so's you know it's okay to chime in on either level:  I'm thankful for a weirdly favorable recovery from a serious health problem this last year, and for Grumpy's help in making it happen, and for my co-workers' absolute graciousness about it, and the ability to run stairs and get an exercise flush.  Okay, that's three or four things.  As you know, we live to serve ... turkey, of course.

Actually Cindy and I are going with a KFC-style chicken picnic during the 49'er game, potato salad, baked beans, or anything else we feel like putting on the table.

That's 10 things just quickly there.  If you choose to add something of your own below, I'll be thankful for each one of those also.  If the Think Tank matched contributions and we got to 20, Dr. D would throw it .... a free entry in his journal.  Absolutely no extra charge.  

Maybe Mojician will throw in his favorite lawyer joke or something.  Or maybe Moe will tell us what it feels like to own a golf swing that millions have spent their lives wishing for.  Or maybe Grumpy will tell us just exactly what it feels like, to run a med center and preside over the saving of human lives.  Or maybe one of you guys will comment in some other SSI thread.  Any of it would be awesome.

Way cool 2014 there amigos,

Jeff

 

 

Comments

1

1.  On Tuesday I'm standing in front of a Psychology class, about to wrap up a unit on Erik Erikson's stages of life.  My youngest daughter, a Junior, was late to class as (according to her) she was signing up for the ACT.  A few minutes later the door opens and my oldest daughter, the freshman at the University of Montana, walks in.  This arrival was totally unbeknownst to her mom and I.  My dad (86 years old), my brother (in Portland), and both girls had known for 7 weeks and managed to keep it secret.  So she's here for Thanksgiving!  We have to deliver her to PDX by 11:15 in the morning but the drive will be great fun, all the same.  I'm really Thankful for that wonderful surprise and for the most amazing family.  And Bailey will be home again on the 13th for Christmas Break, too!
2.  The guys on our the city's utility crew were up all night last night (at work for almost 24 straight hours) repairing a main waterline break so much of our town could have water on Thanksgiving.  I didn't realize we were out of water until this morning when I tried to shave (went to bed early). I eventually chased the crew down (I'm the mayor), kibbitzed for a bit, found out the issue, quickly got out of their way and then chased them down coffee and doughnuts from 7-11.  I'm Thankful that kind of neighborly dedication.
3.  Followiong that, I had been home for less than 5 minutes when the city fire sirens went off and our volunteer fire department responded.  It turns out that a tree had fallen across a line of one of the regional electric utilities and that had caused an arc and reported smoke at the BPA substation, located here in town.  But I was worried that the waterline break had caused a problem so I checked with the dispatcher and headed out, too.  It turned out to be nothing of concern, but I'm very Thankful for incredible fire department volunteers who run at and into fires while the rest of us flee them.  
A busy Thanksgiving morning around here!
Oh...#4:  My goodness I love this site.  For this I am Thankful, too.  As soon as I can convince Matt that Allen Craig is a very nice guy to get I'll even be more Thankful!  (Fat chance, huh Matt?)  :)
Have a GREAT DAY ALL!

2

1. The good character of God (both righteous and gracious) as revealed in the Bible, and His assurance (also from the Bible) that His purposes for all things and all people will indeed be fulfilled.
2. My family (a good wife, a new son-in-law for one of our daughters, another on the way for our other daughter, and our son).
3. With all it's flaws, the country we live in, and the era in which we inhabit it.
4. Shelter, food, relative security, enough income to keep things going.
5. The Robinson Cano effect and the 2013 M's season, not perfect but a start.
6. For the first time in my nearly 60-year life, my local team winning the Super Bowl. Doesn't matter if they don't this year.
7. Another year of life since last Thanksgiving.

5

I'm thankful for all of the fun we have on this Web site. This site and all of y'all are a serious source of enjoyment. Keep it coming.

6

And I'm grateful to be a part of the best sports blog community in the world. You guys all amaze and challenge me, make me laugh, and just generally impress the heck out of me. It's fun to be a Mariner fan with you all - win or lose, or lose, or lose, hey win! This site is a good example of how we can get out of the political/partisan morass that infects our country. Argue, but be civil, and know we want the country to succeed, and will gladly give credit where credit is due. And enjoy the victories. If Matt hates the idea of an overpay for Allen Craig and we sign him anyway and he becomes MVP, Matt is the first one cheering him on. He's not secretly hoping he fails, or not enjoying the World Series Craig is leading us to. Matt's having a blast and is thrilled to be proven wrong. That's what we need in this country: an SSI ethic. I linked your Thanksgiving post on Facebook, Doc.

7
SeattleNative57's picture

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. My favorite holiday, too. I am most grateful to have been born and living in our great nation. It is not perfect always, as recent events demonstrate. But we always strive to improve and live
up to the ideals of our founding. Some things just take longer to correct than expected. I am proud to be a
Veteran of military service to my country and am grateful for the Veterans Administration (VA). As a disabled Veteran and patient, the VA saved my life, twice. For VA benefits I am grateful. I am a career VA employee and advocate everyday on behalf of our nation's Veterans. In fact to remind me, my computer access always includes some form of the word "gratitude" in it. To conclude, my gratefulness extends to my family and friends and their well being. This includes my thankfulness for the SSI community. I have wanted to express my gratitude for this site and it's wonderfully insightful sharing of thought and knowledge. The ideas shared here brighten my day as well as broadening my knowledge of my favorite subject: Seattle sports teams and institutions. It is my profound pleasure and privilege to be allowed to participate in this forum among this community. And humbling acknowledging the diversity and experience of our posters and many regular contributors. SSI and its writers are amazing and worth reading everyday, please keep bringing it and have a wonderful, healthy New Year!

8
misterjonez's picture

and also for those of us who managed to find his little corner of the world to share with him. I've learned a lot of great lessons about life from my interactions with the regulars here at SSI, as well as the previous coffee shops at which we have gathered (D-O-V was where I met y'all).
The exchange of information here, as well as the acceptance of divergent points of view, is quite unlike any other internet community of which I've been a part. I've always been a pretty extreme nerd, and the majority of my meaningful social interactions (outside of my immediate family) come from places like this.
I guess the best way I can put my thoughts and feelings on this community would be thus: the world would be a better place if more people interacted like we do here.
I'm also thankful for my wonderful girls, of which I have four (including the mother!), and I got to spend a couple of days alone with my two year old daughter these past two days. Even while nursing an ear ache my little girl, Jadzia, lit up my world while her mama and sisters attended a family occasion. I'm thankful for the moments we get with those we love, and who love us in return, because in the end that's really all that matters.

9
RockiesJeff's picture

To everything above, I simply agree and am thankful for the regulars here that are a rare bit of calm and common sense in the midst of a world that knows too little of it. Thanks. Baseball is fun but just a game. You all get that.
And Moe, glad your daughter could come home!! I had a fun thanksgiving playing flag football with people from church and playing catch with my son also home from his freshman year in college....but will no long catch him at 92mph! Too old for that! Thankful he has a great attitude...just a good humble kid hoping to hit 95 this spring. Makes me look forward to Spring! Everyone...thanks for the good reads and lots of smiles!

10

I'm feeling a bit like a beached whale at this point!
Keep us posted on your son's baseball trek, Jeff.  And let us know when 95 happens.  Another Bartender or Carson Smith or Paxton for the M's would be terrific. :)
 
Keith

11

I'm grateful for this community. 
 
My life is pretty terrific - I'm reasonably healthy, very much in love, work a job that is both survivable and sustainable, and even if I have to switch jobs in the upcoming year for whatever reason I don't have many worries on that front either.
 
My extended family is doing pretty well and my friends seem to be in good places in their lives, for the most part.  I have no complaints. :)
 
But I am also exceedingly glad to be able to converse with all of you about whatever comes to mind.  Usually it's the Mariners, sometimes it's something else entirely.
 
I am not a journalist.  I don't wake up in the morning dying to write articles... but I do wake up and log in here a dozen times a day to join in the conversation.  Sometimes that's by starting articles, and sometimes just by replying to them.  I come for the conversation with people all over the country - indeed, the world - who have so very much to add to the fabric of my day.
 
For as long as Doc would like to run a Mariners site, I'll hope to be able to contribute.  I find sites like Fangraphs to be informational but not necessarily educational or mood-altering.  They give me new facts, but don't increase the poignancy of my day or whet my baseball appetites.
 
Those sites (Fangraphs, ESPN, MLBTR, et al) are my news venues. They help inform the conversation I may eventually have, but they aren't the reason I have that conversation.
 
This site (and/or any future site) engenders the joy I feel from the sporting arena.  It pulls it all back to life, rather than stats.  
 
This site makes me smile.  And for that, I thank all of you, and hope to continue to see you all and share in those moments of joy for years to come.
 

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