Overcoming Herpes Shame & Stigma

Gratefulness Journal

A real conversation from the Herpes Opportunity community. For over 13 years, the H Opp forums were a safe space where thousands of people shared their most vulnerable moments. The forums have since sunset, but these stories live on. More in Overcoming Herpes Shame & Stigma
thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

Upon @wcs advice I'm starting a journal here for myself and anyone else to join in on. So here is my first "what I am grateful for" post. What are you grateful for?

I am grateful for stain remover to remove all the mascara stains from my pillows.

Your turn.

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I am grateful that I managed to get to Florida to be with my friends and family when a blizzard shut down the Northeast for 2 days :)

victoriaxxxCommunity Member

This is crazy because I just did the 5 nouns I am grateful for on Tumblr. I will copy and paste.

victoriaxxxCommunity Member

Thanks themeditationresolution for making me realize I should really acknowledge the things I am grateful for.

5 nouns I am grateful for:

My Dad - In life you taught me not to take things for granted. You taught me to trust, but to not trust to much. You taught me respect. You taught me how to give respect, and to treat people how I want to be treated. You accepted me and didn’t push me to the side. Through out my addiction, through out everything. You always had hope. You could see that I would be something great, and that some people are late bloomers. I am grateful because I am 20 years old and you still take care of me. I know a lot of people who kicked their kids out at a young age. You always told me that no matter what you were proud of me, and that helped my motivation to do better for myself.

My Mom - You taught me the best thing of all. To always keep a smile on my face and to not stress as much. Even though I do stress a lot. I can always hear you in the back of my head telling me to calm down. You stuck by my side through all of the bull shit that I put you through. I was not the best kid to you and there are a lot of things that I wish I could take back. That is another thing you taught me was to hold my head up high and to learn from my actions. Every day is a learning experience, and that we make mistakes. They make us stronger.

Boyfriend - Well first off, we haven’t known each other for that long, but you accept me the way I am. I know I am not perfect, and you know that also. You take me just as I am. I know it seem’s like I may not listen, but I take in more than you think. I appreciate your input, and your honesty. I am grateful that we can be as open with each other as we are. You have definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things and people. You help me when I am upset to think rationally. You also truly help me not stress over the things that I shouldn’t be stressing over. I wish we could talk as much as we used too, but just knowing that you are here for me and that you are not going to leave me is awesome enough. I can’t wait for more days to come. (:

Best Friend Meghan - You haven’t been doing so well lately, but I am grateful to have you in my life. You were the one person that I could always go to and know that you were never going to judge me. The one person I could tell all my dirty little secrets too. We have been friends for ages, and been through hell and back. We have done our dirt and we have our shit that is going to be between us. I just wanted to let you know that I don’t know what I would do with out you. I hope that you get better and realize that you have so much more to live for, because I love you and I am extremely grateful to have you. The one friend that has never stabbed me in the back. The one friend that has never left my side no matter what the distance was. <3 I love you.

School - Even though I hated going to school. I really do miss you. You taught me how to do well with others. Taught me that learning is not that bad. Honestly I want to go back to school and gain more knowledge. I am grateful to have you and know that I can have a safe haven for me, my books, and my brain.

((:

msmeeCommunity Member

I'm grateful I found this site and that I have a good support system that's been helping me cope thus far.

msmeeCommunity Member

I'm also grateful for every day I get to see.

AshleyCommunity Member

I love this idea!

I am grateful for mint chocolate chip ice cream

thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

I'm grateful for medicine that helps me get some sleep every night.

Mr_HoppAdmin

:) Beautiful. This thread feels so good.

I'm grateful to opening to love on deeper and deeper levels and in many different ways. I'm grateful for living so close to nature. I'm grateful for having a close relationship with both of my parents. I'm grateful for having such heartfelt, nurturing, in-tune friends. I'm grateful for our H Opp community that keeps spreading the love. :)

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I am grateful for Angry Orchard Hard Cider ... because I'm going to need to drink a few bottles after spending the day with my father. Gosh I love him but he's driving me INSANE! :p

zyphenCommunity Member

This is a weird one... but I am grateful those evil girl scout mint chocolate chip cookies....those things are so freaking addictive.

I am also grateful for every day that I am alive, giving me the opportunity to do something good everyday for someone else.

victoriaxxxCommunity Member

@Dancer Lol !

I am grateful for life. I am grateful that I exist and that I get to live this life. I am grateful to experience the rain on my head and my shoulders. I am grateful to feel the wind blow in my hair.

BebeCommunity Member

I have never done this before, but I will try!

I'll start with a 3 things.

1. My family, who drive me crazy but are hilarious and awesome and love me. Lol

2. Opportunity/2nd chances. Although I am going through this hsv thing bc of a guy...something I thought would NEVER happen, I find myself eating better, taking my vitamins, trying to better my health. Taking care of MYSELF, which I never did. (Can't wait to start running again btw). I just know I have the chance to be happy and I have to work for that. It's still possible.

3. Love. You all show it when you answer my rants and questions. I see it from friends (even though they don't know what I'm going through yet). I feel it from my family. I feel it from my bf, who even though he's hurt me beyond words I know he does care for me and wants to take care of me. And soon I will be able to list myself. I don't love myself much now, but I'm working on it.

Anyway, that's it for now..

HereComesTheSunCommunity Member

Today (and everyday) I am grateful for...

The amazing people I am blessed to have in my life. For my housemates that brought me flowers simply because they love me and know how my heart's been hurting. I'm grateful for the endless supply of hugs they provide me, and the laughs we share together every day over regular absurdities.

I'm grateful for my parents. And for my fur babies.

And I never thought I'd say this, but after spending the past year abroad, I am grateful to be back home, frolicking in the snow.

Almost forgot how nice it feels to remember all of the blessings in life... must remember to do it more often.

thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

I'm grateful for music as it's my means of escape and always has been.

LifeBeginsNowCommunity Member

I am grateful for yoga which helps keep me sane

I am grateful for Adrial and his website and forums because they give me hope

Also grateful for Google Images where I find random pictures I send to my friends

felareedCommunity Member

I am grateful for all four of my beautiful children. They love me unconditionally which is the most joyful feeling, even more since this diagnosis.

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I am grateful for my Father's Colonpin (anti-anxiety drug) that is the one thing that is helping him to keep sane while he deals with my Step-mom's Alzheimers, and the guilt he feels for putting her in a Memory Care unit. It's a horrid disease. The meds are the one thing that are keeping him from going off the deep end (and they act fast, for which I am even more grateful). Aging parents are not for sissies.... so I'm grateful for anything that brings him peace and happiness during this time.

PrimordialOozeCommunity Member

I am grateful that I have this life to live.

My kids,

my family,

my idiot dog.

I am grateful for the opportunity with the work I do.

ElliotjCommunity Member

Hey guys I'm new I'm most great full for my health my great family and my funny friends and netflix :) haha

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I'm grateful for mornings where I can lie in until I'm fully rested ..... (:|

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I'm going to be grateful for bubble baths too after all the ice and show we just moved /:)

lelaniCommunity Member

Tonight I am grateful for being able to swim in the sea on the way home from work ...for dancing with my loving partner who adores me...for my three children who are healthy and happy...for a new job I LOVE...for a beautiful home...and for being able to make someones day with an act of kindness :-)

thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

I am grateful for sweet tea. It's about the only caffeine I haven't given up. I'm southern, and love my sweet tea. It's calming and been perfect on these warmer days we have been having.

ConfusedCommunity Member

I'm grateful for everything I have... = happiness.

I'm grateful for having exciting possibilities ahead of me.

thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

I'm grateful for alcohol. Bout the only time I get a moments peace in my life anymore.

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I'm grateful for my lovely warm snugly sweater ... it's sooo cold tonite!

WCSDancer2010Community Member

I'm grateful that the 12" of snow that was predicted for us missed us entirely.

And I'm grateful for my Hot Tea in the morning. Makes getting up more bearable :)

steven90Community Member

Let's try this.

I am grateful for my baby girl she is the engine of my life, I thank God everyday for my silly, smart, beautiful, grumpy and the most important out of everything for my healthy baby =)

I am grateful for my life lesson H+ because it has changes my view of life before this I was just and ignorant who would feel special and think that this kinda of stuff and more worst would never happen to me thank God it was only this and not something worst.

I am grateful for being able to wake up everyday healthy and see the sun light, for my family my friends and my enemies too.

thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

I'm grateful that I'm four months outbreak free, I'm grateful that I've discovered a possible reason that this may be a positive in my life, and I'm grateful that I made a decision Sunday night to stop saying negative things to myself, like no one is ever going to want me or if I get to get married or if I have kids. I'm grateful I have a doctor that is understanding and let's me call with questions all the time.

WCSDancer2010Community Member

This is so awesome to hear my friend... and I am grateful to hear that you are finally getting the positive side of being positive. :)

fanCCommunity Member

I am grateful that I have so many blessings in my life.

My God, My children, My friends....and this wonderful site!

thisisgoingtobeokayCommunity Member

I'm grateful to have this site to communicate with people who understand how I feel.

Lil_pika03Community Member

I am grateful for my daughter because she always knows how to make me smile. I am also grateful for pineapples because they have just been feeding my sweet tooth!

thebook31Community Member

Soooo grateful I found this site. Was getting down on myself the last few weeks but am seeing all the support that is out there and its heart warming. Grateful to know I have been blessed with so many things in my life as well! Life is GOOD! :)

WCSDancer2010Community Member

So grateful for my ex husband who is supporting me through a tough time with my youngest daughter.... to the point of even agreeing to mediate if she will agree to it. He may be my ex, but he's a great friend :)

girlnamedhopeCommunity Member

I am grateful for my beautiful daughter. She has always been my miracle

JohnBCommunity Member

I am grateful for my beautiful daughter as well. She is the only thing keeping my head up right now

WCSDancer2010Community Member

Bringing this back up...

I am grateful for my beautiful granddaughter, who makes me laugh

For a Hot Latte on a cool day

and for the beautiful friendships I have developed on here

AimiCommunity Member

Love this...

I am ever grateful for all of you... it is so beautiful to watch relationships blossom as we share our stories and lend our support. You all have inspired me to a higher me in many different ways. I've learned more about life and love here, in the last few months, than I ever have.

& My little man, Reign... my Sonshine <3

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