Daily writing prompt

What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

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The WordPress daily writing prompt asks ‘What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?’ I was interested in this prompt as I have been researching the topic of gratitude, and the various psychological benefits such as increasing mental strength, reducing social comparisons, increasing self-esteem, and augmenting empathy. This would fit perfectly around reflecting on the positive events that have taken place in my life over 2025. Perhaps an even more beneficial reflection would be to consider not only gratitude (what I have received) but contribution (what I gave), with renowned psychologist Adam Grant noting that while a ‘gratitude journal’ can be a great tool for happiness – a ‘contribution journal’ compliments this, providing further motivation and purpose.

Thus, after some thoughtful note taking, the most positive event that has taken place for me in 2025 is something I have given – I have been able to help improve the health (get blood pressure into a normal range and improve strength) of my mother through my coaching and physical fitness knowledge. I also count the many walks we have gone on together this year as positive events – we clearly both received benefit mentally and physically. Finally, I have found it a positive event every time I have picked up my guitar to play, especially considering the sage advice of classical guitarist Andres Segovia: “Lean your body forward slightly to support the guitar against the chest, for the poetry of the music should resonate in your heart.”