No, not "sooo much Debbie Downers" in the post. Someone mentioned the word compassion. Maybe filled with "sooo much" compassion, a Christian trait. Someone had the idea to start a thread on this forum asking, "What are you grateful for?" Maybe instead of being a Debbie Downer they are sooo grateful, but for the grace of God, things could have been so much worse. For most of my adult life now, and even today, I have done volunteer work. I have worked with churches, and sometimes independently working in shelters or walking the streets feeding and clothing people who don't have means to do it themselves. I talk to people that the rest of society looks at and says/thinks, YUCK. I learn first hand some of their life stories and how they found themselves in a dire point in their life. Yes, a lot of it some would characterize as self inflicted, but a lot is the result of tragic events. Often I think, it could have happened to me. My life could be a movie. Among other things I have been a licensed realtor, insurance agent, and credential teacher. You have to go through thorough background checks before you are issued those licenses or credentials, and to obtain employment. I can't adequately convey how my heart would cringe every time I saw the question on applications asking have you ever been arrested for a misdemeanor or a felony. In a moment of solitude once, I reflected and realized I had been in jail in Gardena, Los Angeles ( 3 different locations), Hollywood, Lynwood, Redondo Beach, Lennox, Carson, Compton, Inglewood, and Orange County. These things happened mostly between the ages of 18-21. Nothing serious, but stupid stuff. So I had this past that was all but forgotten until I had to fill out an application. It haunted me. I was honest, and answered accordingly (the worst thing you can do is lie). I am grateful. My stupid drug filled drunken youth could have hindered me the rest of my life. But for the grace of God, my past was not held against me. I got the license I needed. I got the credential I needed. I got the jobs I wanted. Trust me, this is only part of the story. I could have gone down for things nobody knows about. I am blessed, and I know it. My brother was once one of those people you might see and say yuck. A wino. You know, the person you see laying in the street drunk. I took him in. Gave him a roof over his head, but for years I dealt with a drunken wino living in my house. One day, God intervened. My brother eventually never had another drink, and although he was never financially independent, he became independent, getting his own apartment and living a productive life. He had a compassionate brother and compassionate God. I have lots of real life experience that have made me eternally grateful, realizing I am/was just a step of fate away from a different outcome. This is not a Debbie Downer story. It is a story of engaging with people and maybe in so doing "make the world a better place." It is a story of gratitude, gratefulness, and compassion.