I was amazed this morning when I came across a blog on Feministe that was written last week about the 'gratefulness ritual' some bloggers incorporate on their blogs. It's so simple, but its a really great idea. It basically entails posting a short piece everyday (or somewhere in that neighborhood) about something that they're grateful for... and I love it!
As members of marginalized communities, and particularly in light of disheartening events such as the election in Maine last week, we might spend a lot of time thinking about the things we want and hope to change. And although that is important, it's probably true that we don't spend enough time thinking about those things that keep us going, that inspire us, that keep us safe, that make us happy...
So I'm going to honor this great idea that I love so much and start writing everyday (or as often as I can) about things I'm grateful for - and one of my biggest hopes is that I'll get to hear all the things you're grateful for, too!
Today I'm grateful for optimism, creativity and positive energy that is uplifting and contagious.
What are you grateful for today?
Hey Allegra!
I am grateful for inspiring & dedicated colleagues, rewarding work, and for this reminder to stay positive while we work toward changing the world! One of my favorite quotes is “Be the change you wish to see in the world” by Gandhi. And I think you, your blog, and this website exemplify how we all can be that change.
Allegra---
Thank you for this blog post...I love this idea.
This reminds me a great deal of some of the work that leaders in the queer health movement nationally have done. The late Eric Rofes, and current leaders like Chris Bartlett and Jim Pickett, have carried the torch of "assets-based" thinking about health for a long time now. In their estimation, as queer people we spend so much time thinking about ways we are UNhealthy (HIV/AIDS, various forms of cancer, substance use, mental health, etc.) that we often forget to celebrate the many ways that queer people ARE healthy and can work to preserve their own health---in other words we spend too much time focusing on our deficits and not enough on our ASSETS!
Our friends at LifeLube (a queer men's health organization in Chicago) recently did an entire social marketing campaign that touches on this idea of celebrating our health (http://www.lifelube.org/marketing.php) that has even been nominated for a GLAAD media award!!
Today I am grateful for leaders around queer health, including everyone here at everybodysgood, who remind us that QUEERS ARE HEALTHY!!!