This is Day 2 of the 21-Day Positivity Challenge held in March 2012, where we work on being positive for 21 days. The challenge is now over but you can do the tasks in your own time. Visit the overview page for all the challenge tasks.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Day 2 of the 21-Day Positivity Challenge (21DPC)!! :D
We now have over *450* official participants registered for the challenge!! *dance*
Important: Sign Up First Before Reading Any Further
If you’re new to 21-Day Positivity Challenge, or you have not signed up yet (your name should be in the official participants list), please read the announcement post and sign up first before going any further: 21-Day Positivity Challenge. All details on the challenge, what to expect, and how to sign up can be found at the post.
If you have already duly completed the 3 sign up steps, your name will be added in the next 24 hours. ♥ Thank you!
I’ll be closing the sign ups in a couple of days’ time, so hurry and join us if you haven’t.
Update March 21: The challenge is now officially over, but you are more than welcome to do it in your personal space. Check out all posts made during the challenge: 21DPC Overview.
Participants: Complete the Daily Tasks, Not Just the Question(s)
Reading yesterday’s responses, I noticed many of you only read the title of the post (i.e. the questions), then jumped straight to the comments section to post your response. In doing so, you have missed the other half of the task for Day 1, and shortchanged yourself of the 21DPC experience!
For example, Day 1’s task wasn’t just to answer the questions of whether you’re happy and why. Those who read the full Day 1 post would have seen a third part to the question, which was: “Why did you not give yourself a 10/10 score?“. This was intended for you to dig deep and understand the missing “gaps” to helping you achieve your full 10/10 happiness.
Have you ever seen a surgery whereby the doctor just cuts open the patient and stops operating on him/her? No? It’s the same here. Doing only part of the task for 21DPC is akin to doing a mental operation on yourself and stopping halfway, while all the pus and blood are gushing into the air (gross image!). To get the most out of your participation here, it’s essential that you (a) (deeply) reflect on and answer all the questions (b) complete the full task for the day.
Please read the full post before posting your responses. As of today, expect 3 segments for each 21DPC daily task:
- One positivity question, or a series of positivity questions (related to each other). Please address all of them in your response, and not just the first question!
- One positivity task. Starting from today, there will be a small positivity task for each day – which is linked to the positivity question. It will be a very simple task which can be completed within the day itself.
- One positive thing you got out of the day. To identify at least 1 positive thing that you got out of the day, for every day of 21DPC. If you can identify more than 1, that’s even better!
Please share your results for all 3 segments in your daily response. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, feel free to post your comments in parts you get to the task in different times of the day. You can answer the positivity questions in the beginning of the day, then return later in the day to post your results for the positivity task, then return at the end of the day to share the one positive thing you got out of the day.
Just be sure to click “reply” to your comment, not via posting a new reply, so others can follow your progress easily.
21DPC Day 2 Question
Today’s positivity question is:
Who is One Friend You Appreciate Having? And Why?
Share as much as you want in your answers, from a few words to a few pages long. Be honest as you can. Answer both questions, and not just the first question.
Your Task for Today:
- Reflect and answer today’s question(s). Write as few or as many words as needed to fully express your thoughts. There is no word limit.
- Let that friend in on your appreciation for him/her.
- The stuff you just wrote about your friend – Does he/she even know that? No, really. Have YOU ever directly TOLD him/her that you appreciate him/her, and why?
- Your 2nd task is to let him/her know that – be it in person, via email, text message, Facebook, phone, or whatever medium you prefer – today. Even if you’ve mentioned this to him/her before, do it again today (there’s no limit to how many times you can share appreciation). Share the full thing, not just: “Hey, I appreciate you ’cause you’re cool”. Dude, that’s weak. Go deep in expressing your appreciation. Sure it may be mushy, but whatever. You’ll be surprised at how much it may mean to him/her.
- After you are done, let us in on your friend’s response, if you wish.
- While we’re on the topic of having friends we appreciate, you may want to check out this related article on how to be a better friend to others: How to Have More Best Friends: My Heartfelt Guide
- Identify at least one positive thing about your day. It may be something small or something big – as long as you deem it as something positive, it counts. If you have more than 1 thing to share, then by all means, go for it!
Share Your Answers!
After you are done, share your answers in the comments area!
If you’re doing this at the start of the day, you can post your answer for today’s question first, then work on your positivity task throughout the day, then return at the end of the day to share your results for your positivity task and your end-of-day positive reflection.
Check out other participants’ answers. Pick 1-2 participants’ answers and make a meaningful reply to them. Engage in the discussions. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days!
Look forward to reading your responses!
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Who is that one friend you appreciate having? and why?
Maynard, because he is a really close buddy to me. We almost share the same interests and hobbies. He has been my friend for almost a decade now and my first friend since arriving in my new home. We also have this certain thing that when we stare at each other, we already know what is inside of our head without saying it. He gives me advices most of the time, especially on my relationship with my girlfriend. I know that when I have a certain problem, I can open up to him. He is the friend that I am most comfortable to talk to and hang out with.
My friend’s response: He asked me what have I eaten that may probably cause the reason why I sent him my message of appreciation (lol). Very mushy and funny at first, but he invited me for a double date with his girlfriend and my girlfriend. He also said if we both have free times, we definitely need to hang out just like the old times.
Positive thing for the day
My close friend’s girlfriend successfully gave birth to a healthy baby boy :)
Christi Starks.
She is my prayer partner, my friend, my buddy and she corrects me when I’m wrong and I can always go to her with any and every problem, vent or just cry, she’s a great person and a wonderful friend!
2nd positive of the day:
I read in library and I went to sleep for 2 mins in the morning and watchman at library came and shouted at me and told ‘This isn’t a place to sleep’. ‘ Don’t you sleep at home and come’. He told me in a very bad tone and He is a angry guy and difficult to handle. I always had clashes with him. So, when he shouted, I too got angry and went behined him to tell him but somehow I controlled and told myself that this not a way to deal with him, because I will waste my energy. So, I washed my face and went back to studies.
Now, in afternoon at 12.30 p.m. I told him that only due to him I was able to study well as he woke me up.
He was happy with my reply.
But, I realised its effect in the evening when I came out and he told me see due to holi(a festival in india) you have holiday tomorrow but there is a function at the hall in the same building where our library is so housekeeper of building is on duty so if you all students can talk to management than certainly you can get a permission for studies at library on holiday and thats it we got the permission and a day was saved.
Positive thought of the day:
A Refreshing Life:
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Come On! Get in, Tune in, Look for Now,
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Day In, Day Out & Time and Out
Enjoy life, your Blissful life
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Laugh Daily, Live Healthy, Love everybody, to
be wealthy.
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Moments come, Moments go, only memories
we get
Capture it, See it & Feel it
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Help someone, love someone & express
yourself,
Nothing to take, nothing to carry up the way.
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Like a freshness in the dawn;
Calmness in the Night;
Dreams in your eyes are still alive
Come on! Get in, Tune in, Live a life
Life Life Life, a refreshing life
Life Life Life, a refreshing life.
JMDLR
-Pratik Shah
The 4 friends i would appreciate having is Salonee, Ravi, Akshay and Hemal because
1. Salonee-When I was down with low confidence, being an unknown she helped me by saying ‘he has to learn’ and it was really i had stopped learning things and that sentence brought me back to learning. She also helped me to overcome my nervousnes. Also, she is the girl which i mentioned in my Day 1 why not 10/10.
2. Ravi-I always hated him earlier but i never his past, still know little. He told me a vital thing that your mother and father is the source of energy and if you have a good relationship with them you can do anything in your life. He also helps me to be mentally free many a times.
3 & 4. Akshay and Hemal because we were always close upto one and half year of college and suddenly gap widened.
But, i would like to be in good terms with few more also. But priority will be on above first.
HEY Y’all! !! I totally misunderstood the way this works…. I kept waiting for the next days question, today I went looking!! found them! Looks like I have ALOT self digging to do! 5 days worth. SO PLEASE FORGIVE MY POST THAT WILL BE SO BEHIND FOR A DAY OR SO. thanks for understanding!! Love, Trisha
wow I’m running behind on my positivity challenges so I hope to catch up! :) My one friend I appreciate having the most in my life is KP. I usually “seize the day” and try to live life to the fullest. KP added more to my definition of living life to the fullest. She has also pushed me to see that I am a pretty strong person. She’s also helped me learn how to be a good friend by being honest and communicating about everything.
I told KP again how I feel about her in my life – like I’ve probably told her a bazillion times before. I’m awaiting to see what her reply is :)
one positive thing about my day : it was a beautiful , warm and sunny day. Work went by quickly :)
i’m behind on my challenge questions because i don’t have internet at home and was too lazy to go to my brother’s or the library over the weekend! the one friend that i appreciate having is my friend, kathy creasy, whom i’ve known for 20 years now! wow, i just realized it’s been that long! i met her when i moved to cincinnati, oh for a job and we’ve continued/maintained our friendship since i moved back to texas and now santa fe, nm. she is my friend who i can call anytime, day or night and she calls me like that too, when we feel we can’t call anyone else. we’ve been through so much together, my divorce, her marriage, kids, etc. even though we don’t talk every day, when we do, it’s like we pick up where we left off.
sent her an email with this… :love:
one positive thing that happened to me today (friday, 3/2) was i got to mass early and the person who had signed up to be the lector didn’t show up so i got to do the readings for the mass! i just love doing the reading and received a few compliments on my reading! :angel: during lent our parish has a lenten meal after mass and the stations of the cross and it’s great to fellowship with the many friends i have made at our parish so that was another good thing, i didn’t have to cook and was able to chat with a few different friends! :dance:
i really appreciate my boyfriend,we were friends before we started dating and he is the one person i can sit and talk too for hours on end.he is really there for me and he does things for me and my daughter because he wants too, not because he has too.he has been my rock in the one year we have been together and i really appreciate everything he has done for me :heart:
Wow. That is a tough question. Actually, I think that the one friend I appreciate having is my boss (would you believe it…). He gives me tasks exactly what and when I want to and he makes me feel really useful. Also, he’s just 29 and we talk a lot – we don’t meet each other very often, maybe 4-5 times a year, and work on Skype. So the calls soon become personal and I really like him.
And actually, the cool thing about the 2nd of March was that I got to see him at the Marseille ComicCon o/
I cherish one of my friends because she is honest and funny. At Thanksgiving this year I wrote a letter to each guest, including my friend, about what I liked about them. I have also told her many of her qualities that I like on different occasions. I also tell my husband what qualities in him that I appreciate.
But, I do have trouble being this open with some of my family. I will work on being able to tell them.
My husband was able to get out of work early and we had lots of fun together, including playing Boggle and having some time to talk about happy subjects. :hug:
Wayyy overdue but better late than never I always say =D
I have several friends in mind but I’ll go with three this time:
1. M, he was one of the first people in my life who managed to push me out of my comfort zone, I used to be extremely introverted. And he introduced some of his friends to me, some of whom are my close buddies now, almost transforming my life all together as I go out and do things with this new active bunch of friends. He’s always there for me when I need advice, a very good mentor-friend.
2. E, she is always there to support me be it happy or sad, or even something that she isn’t excited about. She’s a straightforward person like me and is honest with me all the time. I enjoy our sharing sessions very much, although sometimes she could be quite long-winded =.= She’s helped me a lot too in my personal growth by pointing out and explaining in ways that I can accept things that I should not be really doing =D
3. R, a new friend but has opened my mind to a lot of things, especially in terms of human behavior, like telling a person’s characteristics from his/her body language. I was able to get over my latest crush due to what he helped me see and I’m truly grateful to him for that.
All three are unbelievably patient with me, I love them to bits!!
I’ll sending them each an email tonight, can’t wait to get their response!! *giggles*
One positive thing about this day was, I managed to carry out Friday fasting of food for this year’s Lent season (a penitential period in the Catholic calendar) for the second Friday in a row without losing my temper and also overcoming my craving for some food (I’m actually doing it on Wednesdays also)! Proud of myself! =D
I missed out on commenting on this one – One friend I am very appreciative of is Nat. She is straight up, honest and warm hearted. She is never afraid to say what needs to be said and she is not mean spirited in any way. She is incredibly frustrating at times, but only because I get so used to people withholding parts of what they really want to say, whereas Nat does not do that. I don’t see her very often, but when I do she always brings a smile and a crazy conversation. Usually an unusual activity too….I love my friend Nat.
“Who is One Friend You Appreciate Having? And Why?”
I know a lot of good people. But I have yet to know someone who fits the title of a true friend for me. I do have a general idea though of what I’m looking for – this someone has the same values, maybe the same sense of humor & most importantly someone who is honest & trustworthy.
Some of the positive things of the day:
-Some repairs were done at home – repairs that were loooong anticipated. Finally :dance:
-A show that I LOVED came back – no worries about me watching junk TV though, it’s more of an educational kind of show. :)
-Stumbled upon a page on Facebook with seriously funny pictures – a new source of laughter!
the positive thing today is that i caught up with some old friends at a birthday party and was a great nite without drinking alcohol also – krrping up my sobriety and drinking only non alcoholic wine.
my friend is michelle because she is always there for me and we have a lot in common and care deeply for each other – i have been with her for 3 births of her children and am a godparent to Hunter the last child and really am part of her family which i cherish a great deal and we can share all our feelings and emotions.
i will share this with her by texting her or emailing or maybe just give a call.
cheers
This is a tough question for me because I have some awesome friends that I truly appreciate having in my life. They all my sisters. Since I have to pick one it would be my ex-husband because he knows me more then I sometimes know myself and he accepts me for who I am. I can be fully authentic with him. One thing that was positive today was I closed a few accounts at my job today.
Who is One Friend You Appreciate Having? And Why?
One friend I appreciate having is my mom…I could mention other people but out of all I think she’s the one I should think of. I tend to just let it slide but in times of truth the person who I always come crying to is mom, the person who I tell almost all of my problems and worries is her, the only person who tells me realities in my face and gives me real advice that will truly help me in life is her. She will always love me no matter what, she doesn’t take life seriously and motivates me to stand up and realize how small all my problems are. The other days I was really stressed and she said “All that I achieved in life I did it alone, if I could you can too.” which is why I’m even here in this challenge. She’s a woman I truly admire, hardworking, independent, not afraid to be her, honest. My mom is a person who isn’t afraid to challenge others and can see the big picture easily.
If there’s one thing that makes me sad is not helping my mom as much as she deserves. She literally gives everything up for us and I find that unfair. I want to help her out in what I can. I love my mom :heart: :D
Just sent my mom a text message with everything I just wrote and one positive thing that happened is that I went to theaters and saw 3D effects for the first time, cut my hair and went on a trip to the island with my stepdad and my mom. It made me realize how much more there is to life, to take things slow, live in the moment and that a smile is worth it. For the. first time in a loong while I was excited to explore this new world,
The one friend that comes to mind immediately and which I truly appreciate having is my partner. We have been together for about 8 years now and although we have a pretty good relationship going, I can be myself when I’m with him. Although we are thousands of miles apart, we communicate almost daily, sharing our hopes and dreams together, our frustrations, fears, anything under the sun. Oh yes, we have our bad days too, we quarrel, push each other’s buttons, cry, but it is all part and parcel of a friendship & relationship, I really do value and cherish it, be it happy and sad times that that we have to face together.
He is not perfect, in fact far from it, but I realize friendship is not how good and perfect a person is, but it’s how two people can get along, bond together, develop a rapport with each other, and overcoming the difficulties. The feeling of a person being out there for you, thinking of you, caring for you, supporting you in times of trouble, pushing you along, encouraging you, is so reassuring and a truly amazing feeling , I am thankful and appreciative of having such a friend in my life, who makes my every moment count.
I have just sent him a text message, expressing my appreciation for having made our friendship so meaningful. Due to the time zone, he is yet to respond. He knows, but I think it’s good to remind each other of our love and appreciation from time to time.
:hug: :heart:
(I have only just joined the challenge, its 3rd March 2012, UK time: 23:19 pm, I see you have already done four days worth of questions and challenges, I have just answered the first questions and I will complete the other three days within the same day, today, so I can catch up with the rest of the group and not procrastinate , I will try and think of a different positive element about my day for each four comments.)
(Which friend do I appreciate most and why?
This question is extremely hard and impossible to answer because I do not have one single friend or person in my life that adds more happiness or value to my life than any other. They are all very different to each other and add different types of happiness and value to my life! I feel blessed for having a handful or two sweet, caring and lovely people in my life!
I would say my mum, dad, husband and son are my major rocks!
Non family wise I have great friends in: Emma, Rachel, Claire, Kerry, Nabilla.
My Mum: Has been there from day one. Has always been there for me and supported me through life! Cared and loved me unconditionally and done everything in her power to make me safe and happy. She has also been a great Nana to my son and helping me out alot with him because I suffer from arthritis and fatigue and have quite an energetic son who craves lots of attention.
My Dad: Pretty much the same as my mum. He wasn’t as hands on with me growing up as my mum, because he was working while my mum was stay at home mum. I can have some good conversations with my dad and he can sometimes give opinions and advice, not always advice or opinions I appreciate or value or always agree with, but its still nice to know he is there to talk to and that he cares enough to express his thoughts and feeling to me.
Husband: I have spent nearly eleven years with my husband and he is my soulmate. He has brought more confidence out in me. He has made me feel comfortable about beening me and not having to try and be someone else. He has given me a child which has made our bond stronger. He makes me feel safe and loved. He brings laughter into my life and we are good at compromising with each other and enjoying our time together. Communications have grown stronger with us over the years and we look forward to bringing our son up together and sharing that special journey.
Son: I have always wanted at least one Child. Since the day he was born he has brought lots of smiles and laughter and joy into my life. He has brought some frustrating times too but getting through those is something that has made me feel proud. My son makes me feel proud when I see how he changes on a daily and weekly and monthly basis and knowing I am helping contribute to that. I feel that I wasted alot of my life when I was younger and struggled with other life ambitions due to lack of confidence and health issues, however having my son has given me a huge sense of Fulfillment and I feel I can focus, help, guide and mould my son into a lovable and successful person and hopefully help him find fufilment in all areas of life, hopefully even in the areas I struggled with. He often gives me a sense of pride and fufilment I can’t often explain. The love he shows me back, shows it was all worth it.
Emma: I met at college. We now text daily. We both have sons of about two years age difference. Its nice to text her about motherhood and everything else inbetween. We often give each other reassurance and have a laugh.
Nabilla: A kind heart person I met at college. She is also a mother. Dont text as much as me and Emma but we probably see each other in person more than me and Emma. She is a busy lady, however I know she will always be a great friend.
Kerry: Ever since we became friends on Facebook, then exchanging mobile numbers we have texted each other everyday for two years. If not via text we message via facebook or twitter. Kerry last year lost her soulmate and fiancee and I would like to think I have been a supportive listening ear and also stuck up for her when she was getting some grieve of other people. I know that Kerry will always be a listening ear for me weather I communicate about something serious or just waffle on.
Rach: Met at a wedding, but me and my hubby knew her partner before we meet her. We both have health issues. Rachel is another friend I can communicate about anything. I also appreciated her help in helping me find someone to re-home my cat when I had to move to a property where no pets allowed.
Claire: We have met up in person a few times, but we communicate mostly by phone and online. That doesn’t devalue the friendship. We have been a listening ear for each other.
I often tell my family and friends I love them and that I appreciate them. I always try to let them know their positive traits and when there feeling blue I always ask if there ok and whenever they seem to have issues occupying their minds, I always say I am hear to listen and talk with you if you need to.
* What brings positiveness into my day is having Unlimited texts on my phone and having internet access so I can talk to those I dont see in person on a day to day basis.
One problem I have with being such a bubbly people person, is that the second I meet a new person I automatically think of them as my friend. Every month I have to re-evaluate all the people I know and figure out which ones are actually friends. I’ve found that my group of friends is a lot smaller than I thought. That’s not necessarily bad, but it is sad when you learn that you’ve put more time and energy into a friendship than the other person.
I strive to keep in touch with many of these “friends” whether or not they do that for me. I try to be the best friend that I can be and I try to put them before myself. When they need a shoulder to lean on, I’m there. If they need someone to talk to, I’m there. My friends and I have always told each other, “If you ever need anything, let me know.” I have always held up my end of that statement. The friends I considered closest to me, never have. When I needed help, they backed away and simply said, “I’m sorry.” Not a single one has extended help of any sort to me in my darkest hours. They frequently spout how they’ll be there for me when I need them, yet every time I’ve needed them they were nowhere to be found.
This is why I must re-evaluate my friendships with people, because clearly we have different definitions of friendship. I kept hoping I’d come across that one friend that you see in television shows. The one that really does do anything for you, no matter how stupid. That one person who sticks by you through thick and thin, and that you can tell all your deepest secrets to knowing that they’ll stay hidden away with that friend. That one friend that you can tell anything to and while they may be blunt and honest with you, they will never judge you and think poorly of you.
I’m saddened by the fact that almost none of friends will do that for me, especially when I do it for them. But I do have one friend who does do that for me and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. I have told her my deepest secret and my doubts that went along with it. She was not only honest with me, but she was supportive and kind enough to research some answers for my doubts and questions. She cheers me up when I need it, she gives advice when I ask for it, she supports me in what I say and do, and when I need someone to talk to who isn’t biased or judgmental I can always count on her.
We are polar opposites of each other politically, religiously, activism-wise, and such. We almost never agree with what the other believes, but every single time we’ve been able to have cool, calm discussions about it. We always walk away from these oppositions of ours respecting the other. I think that is a great friend and I’m very blessed to call her my friend. I wouldn’t trade my friendship with her for anything on this earth.
I’m sure I’ve told her before how much I appreciate her, but I’ll definitely send this to her just to make sure she knows how much I love and appreciate her.
As for my positive event for Day 2, I did meet someone new. I have been struggling with finding someone on campus who shares my love for literature, philosophy, and writing. I love difficult conversations that require lots of thinking and even some research. I finally met someone who shares that love. He reads similar books, he’s written some of his own, and he’s asked me to critique/correct some of his writings. I’m so excited I have someone to talk to about my greatest passions.
Hi Katherine
Like you i am very bubbly and think of lots of people as my friends however i do believe that sometimes even family arent there for you when you need them but i do really have some great friends that i can count on when i need them although i do find it difficult to ask for help . usually i think most people only have a very small circle of friends that are true friends so we should value these friendships alot which sounds like you do – and glad to hear you may have found a new friend – take care wendy
I am writing about two people i’ve known for 4 years and the other for 4 months… thats ironic, but they both are significant figures in my life. its kind of an odd choice in fact im shocked the first one popped into my head, but the more i really thought about it the more i realized how great of a person she is. now the fact that all three of us have our demons some worse than the other if i had the power i would take on both of their demons and assure them everything is okay because that it what i friend should do and although they show they care in the most unusual way i now understand an i appreciate them for that. i don’t know if this makes sense so i do apologize.
i think a good thing that happened was i had a very much needed nap twas great!
Who is One Friend You Appreciate Having? And Why?
I have a few friends and acquaintances that I appreciate for various traits and behaviours. When thinking of choosing one, I “grasped” a girl I know from primary school. I appreciate her intelligence, elegance in achieving various goals, positive way of being, professional skills, friendly and open attitude toward people. She is modelling for me someone who is happy in their life and constantly learning, growing, exploring while having lots of fun! She travels quite a lot, manages perfectly her budget.. 2 things which I would love to have more of! I phoned her today and did not make a beautiful appreciation speech, just chat a little as it has been a long time since we last spoke. I told her that I appreciate her positive attitude towards life. ;) I hope to create more occasions to be in touch, discuss things and learn from her. I wish her even more luck, happiness and beauty on daily basis. I am grateful to have her in my life. This phone call is another small, still very positive aspect of my day! ;)
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