As some of you may have noticed, I have been more or less absent for the past 3 weeks. I was doing a short course overseas that contributed to my university degree in Australia. It was Positive Psychology in Maastricht, The Netherlands. It was a fantastic course in which I was able to take much from. You might notice many new posts that mention or revolve around Positive Psychology from my end (Ermisenda).
An exercise they shared with us that I would like to share with you is the 3 good things exercise. Martin Seligman, the leader of Positive Psychology and the science of what makes us happy, talks about it in this video. The empirical research exists to support it’s function in making us happier by means of exericising gratitude and appreciating the little things. What I find so great about it, is that it is so easy. For many psychology can seem like it’s all common sense and it’s intuitive. The frustrating thing is that humans seem to have a knack of catatrophising and developing maladaptive habits.
This post is just to ask from you all to name three good things that happened so far in the last 24 hours. They don’t have to be grandiose or phenomenal. They can be as simple as a good cup of coffee or a good conversation you had with a friend or stranger. Engaging in the ’3 good things’ exercise once a week or daily can help remind us of all the good little things that we experience. Too often do our negative experiences overpower the little things that brighten our day. It’s time to let them shine!
My 3 Good Things:
- The sun shone here in the Netherlands today (as an Australian, I sure do miss the sun during European winter!)
- My hot chocolate with a spoonful of Baileys was delightful last night
- I was given a warm wake-up kiss from my partner
What about you? Name 3 good things that happened to you in the past 24 hours and share with us. 
- Ermisenda Alvarez
Eliabeth: 3 good things:
-My coauthor is back!
-My coauthor is back!
-My coauthor is back!
LOL
Feeling the love, Elia. <3
- Ermisenda
Good, you should. You’re important enough that you take up three whole spots.
My 3 good things are, Even though theirs snow, it’s actually very warm out. 2.) I have completed my book, that makes me feel confident about myself. And 3) I felt really good and calm today. I take blood pressure medicine, so relaxation is always a plus. I hope I did this right Ermisenda. I can never figure out how to comment on your blog site.
You did it perfectly, Mary. Thanks for sharing your three good things of the day.
You should feel confident about finishing your book. Congrats!
This is the perfect exercise for me, since I tend toward the ‘glass half-empty’ portion of life
Okay, here goes. Three good things, huh? Okay. Right:
1. I got to stand out in the sun yesterday morning; it’s been so cloudy and rainy here in Southern California that I’d forgotten how much I love to just stand in the sun.
2. I have had a generally productive day working from home today.
3. I have gotten a few great ideas for responding to various writing prompts.
There! I did it! And it felt pretty good
I think many of us tend to think towards the ‘glass half-empty’ perspective. I’m glad this helped to remind you of the good and great things in your life! Oh, standing in the sun. A favourite past time of mine during the winter times.
1. my brother and i shared a good day. His Parkinson’s was being nice
2. I had a flat tire and a turn signal out, but both cost hardly anything to get fixed
3. a stranger i was talking today when i took my brother to lunch paid for both of our lunches
That’s so lovely that a stranger paid for your lunches. It’s great when moments like that happen.
It brightens our day!
it did too!
My 3 good things seem rather trivial and random…
1) Finished reading Insurgent by Veronica Roth
2) Had a cup of carrot juice for lunch
3) Currently in the midst reading Love is the higher law by David Levithan
All in all, I had a productive day! I’m going to write 3 good things in my diary starting from now on, as I think I’m a negative person… Thanks for the idea!
I think often the best little things are trivial and random, but they make a difference if we take a moment to remember and appreciate them!
Ooo, yum! Carrot juice. I love raw carrots. I’m glad you’re going to incorporate this little exercise into your diary. It really is so easy and it will help you shift your negative thoughts into positive ones. If you have any questions about Positive Psychology or the exercise in general, just ask. 
I know a few things after my crash course. 
Best of luck!
I love Eliabeth’s 3 good things…. haha…
I am peaceful…! 
1. I got to do an audio for my current reflection post. I love doing them…! (This sounds like an ad however, it really is the first thing that came to mind..
2. I am alone today… After 3 hectic days, being alone is so peaceful…
3. I am alone today….
Ooo, an audio? I’ll have to check it out! I understand your relief for some alone time. During this short course I was in a shared room in a dorm environment. Since I still live at home, I’m used to having my own alone time when I need it. When you’re trying to live at peace with someone you have only just met, it’s much harder. I loved my experience to bits but I am VERY grateful for my alone time to get some writing done.
Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!
My 3 good things :
1. I got to spend time with my daughter this morning
2. It was warmer today
3. Laundry is caught up
Oh, it’s such a relief when the little chores like laundry has been finished. I’m glad you had a good time spending time with your daughter this morning. Thanks for sharing your three good things with us!
I am so envious. I have always wanted to visit the Netherlands.
Oh my three good things:
1.) My PC is working again and I am not confined to trying to post in spurts on an ancient laptop that’s temperamental.
2.) I love the new layout I got up and running on my blog.
3.) I ate the yummiest loaded baked potato in the world today. It made my taste buds weep with orgasmic delight.
Oh! Orgasmic delight? I’m jealous of you and that baked potato dish! That sounds so good. I’m a true sucker for good meals. That’ll brighten my day, any day.
Thanks for sharing your three good things with us! (The Netherlands has a lot to offer, especially since I think it’s very understated. I recommend it! 
)
My daughter is feeling better.
The rain has stopped after an interminable stretch of scowling and huffing.
I discovered my protagonist’s fatal flaw.
Yeah!
The protagonist’s fatal flaw. I am yet to discover mine for a story I am currently brewing inside my head. Thanks for sharing your three things with us, Diane!
It was a long, hard day, but I did have some bright spots.
1) I finally finished gutting, cleaning and organizing my studio!
2) I over heard my 14 year old decline a social invitation because she wanted to be home for family dinner and game night! She has her ipod and text program glued to her head most of the time.)
3) The sun came out and we hit 50 degrees in Cleveland today! We didn’t have to chip ice and shovel, it melted away.
I’m glad you had some bright moments in your hard day. These are the things that keep us going.
Haha, that is so cute about your teenage daughter. 
Secretly (or maybe not so secretly), she loves all those family dinner and game nights. 
1) When I was doing my morning writing, the sun was just fully coming out and the view from my window was beautiful
2) I listened to a Crystal Castles album today. Enjoyed it and felt calm and transcendent
3) Took a short but sweet bike ride today in the gorgeous sun. AND I didn’t wear a helmet. Yolo!
Music can move us in ways that are hard to describe. One of my great loves, music. I’m glad you had a few good/great moments today!
1) I listened to the first part of BBC Radio’s dramatised adaptation of George Orwell’s ‘Homage to Catalonia’, and realised that there has been at least one good Old Etonian in the world.
2) I laughed.
3) Someone brought me home a Wispa bar from the shops.
Laughter! There is quite a bit of research on laughter in relation to happiness and optimism. Did you know there is laughter yoga? You bring people together and at first the laughter is forced but then since everyone else is laughing, everyone’s laughter becomes genuine. True story.
I’m glad you had a few good/great moments in your day, Marie!
1) I’ve been stuck 3 days on a problem at work and finally fixed it!
2) Finished another chapter.
3) Got flowers!!!
Ah, Flower Anne, I hoped you enjoyed receiving one of your own.
May that chapter be Kate related? *Being nosey* It’s great to hear about your 3 good things! 
1. Had a great mark for my internship
2. had a goodbye kiss from my partner.
3. Came back to my partner after work for the first time everr (great feeling!)
- Otheus
Congratulations on your great mark! It’s good to see one’s work pay off. Aw, a few more kisses await you it seems from your partner.
I hope your day continues to improve, Otheus!
1. Woke up in Ho Chi Min City in a beautiful hotel looking forward to a day of exploring and touring.
2. My wonderful friends dropped my cats to be boarded at the vet because I stuffed up the times and couldn’t do it before I left.
3. Had a wonderfully romantic dinner last night with my husband.
It’s pretty easy to think of great things when you’re on your honeymoon. Must do this when back in the daily grind!
(Apologies, correct spelling is Ho Chi Minh City)
It probably is easier to think of good things on your honeymoon BUT it’s always a good time to start this exercise. We all have bad days but what is certain, there is always good little moments to remind ourself of at the end of the day.
Enjoy your honeymoon, your husband 
, and the city Ho Chi Minh!
1. I was able to visit with a friend
2. The wood pile, I have wished gone, stopped my bus from sliding all the way down the driveway or into a tree.
3. I have a roof over my head and food on the table which seems to be a luxury these days.
Wow! That wood pile definitely did come in handy. I’m glad you seemed to have avoided an accident. It’s very important to appreciate little things like having a place to sleep and food on the table. Sadly, it’s a luxury for many in this world. Have a great day, ramblinann, and thanks for sharing.
1) My teacher said I was a ‘mature young woman who would go far’
2) I had a really fun lunchtime – who knew a two pence coin could create such a huge uproar?
3) I’ve decided what I want to take for my A-Levels!
It’s great when a teacher inspires you like that. It seems like so little but the words mean so much. Having a fun lunchtime definitely turned the tide of the day for me too, during my highschool days.
Thanks for sharing!
Simple indeed! And fun
My 3 things:
- Someone made an effort to remember the date of my birthday
- I transformed my eraser into a stamping instrument, thus now I stamp ‘ART’ and ‘DKW’ (my initials) everywhere!
- I ate chocolate!
I have this funny image of you as a toddler with a stamp in their hand, covering every surface in the house in inky prints.
Haha I can easily picture myself like that!
Chocolate eating can never go wrong! I might go take a nibble of some now.
I love that eraser idea (turning it into a stamp). Maybe I could be creative for Ermilia? Thanks for sharing M.D.!
So true! Thanks. Sure do try it
It’s such a fun game! You’re welcome!
1. I woke up early & spent an hour reading in bed.
2. I spent the evening with my partner.
3. He had bought me a gift – tiny (diet friendly) chocolates.
mmmmmmmmmm
Nomnom! Great gift choice. Chocolates can never go wrong. Thanks for sharing your 3 good things of the day with us.