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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly.

Posted in Funny on Jul 26, 2024

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✍️ 55 stories

“The Art of Gratitude” by Joseph Hare

Submitted to Contest #261

Daniel sat on a cushioned office chair, fingers interlaced and set before him as he stared at his friend—his annoying, non-stop-chattering friend. She—Sarah—talked for what seemed like hours about rubbish, saying dumb words like “gratitude” or “integrity.” Daniel couldn’t tell if he wanted to smash his face really hard into the table or fall asleep while she talked.“Come on, Daniel,” Sarah pleaded, brushing her dark hair from her face. “You’re such a…cynic. Can’t you try anything that involves others?”“Yep,” said Daniel dismissively, shuffli...

8 comments 8
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“Wise Old Owl” by Tempest Phoenix Smith

Submitted to Contest #261

Arthur Tomlinson dragged himself home from the bus stop after an unproductive visit to the doctor.He wanted to get back to his bungalow, slam the door on the world and lose himself in his latest library book. Not plunge into a bottle of his favourite tipple, not any more, but a good novel did the trick as long as it had plenty of action, suspense, and unexpected twists along the way.You could drown in fiction easily enough, forget your current circumstances, ignore the gloomy news which never seemed to get any better and, best of all, not pu...

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“Perspective” by Ebony Batty

Submitted to Contest #261

It was a hot July afternoon, and Matthew hated the sun. The heat swelled around the village like a balloon, trapping unaware victims in a haze and turning skin a blistering red with the suns prickly touch. Plus, the sharp rays had cut through the gap in his curtains that morning and left him feeling particularly annoyed for since then.What he, however, hated even more than the sun, was the newspaper sitting at his door when he emerged to brave the beating heat. It crinkled in the faint warm breeze and had all the use of a beaten doormat. He ...

2 comments 2
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“The Curmudgeon's Conversion” by Ellen Fannon

Submitted to Contest #261

The Curmudgeon’s Conversionby Ellen Fannon “Walter, I can’t live with your negativity any longer.” Missy stood with her arms crossed, her lips pressed into a thin line. “You’ve always been a grouch, but you’ve gotten worse as you’ve gotten older.”           “What are you talking about?” Walter grumbled. His wife’s carping interrupted his irritation with his favorite sports team losing again. He shook out the newspaper and pulled it up in front of his face to block out the view of Missy’s...

2 comments 2
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“Yesterday’s Tomorrow” by Austin Lucero

Submitted to Contest #261

The weather was not as bad this evening compared to the midday sun, and the humidity during the day that made someone wonder if their shower in the morning was worth it. The glass doors of the older downtown building opened onto the lively night life of the small town. “Hey,” an African-American man in his late seventies leaving the white-painted brick building, felt a warm hand on his shoulder as he walked down the stairs, “I’m glad you’re here. It was great of you to stop by and hang out with us. I really hope-“”Look,” the man cut him...

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“KED Said” by Mike Irving

Submitted to Contest #261

Floating helplessly in space, waiting for death to come along and claim me, was a tough thing to process. After training for deep space missions, I blasted off from Earth convinced I could handle anything. Truth be told, that was just a necessary lie I convinced myself of so I could climb atop a tower of fuel and light it up. I stopped keeping the ship’s logs when I realized no human would ever see them. By then, the lie of being able to handle anything had crumbled away. If aliens came across me, and managed to make sense of my logs, I woul...

1 comment 1
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“Gratitude” by Wendy Rappeport

Submitted to Contest #261

               Gratitude. Joan was a happy lady with shoulder-length blond hair and a marvellous smile. Many studies have shown that people who consciously count their blessings tend to be happier and have less depression. They have friends and express more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions.Since childhood many of us learn to make negative responses to some situations, but that can be ‘unlearnt’ through simple therapy. The negativity can be reversed.If our...

2 comments 2
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“The Grateful Dave” by Hannah Johnson

Submitted to Contest #261

Day 1 To be perfectly clear, this is not my idea. A gratitude journal, really? Of all the stupid work raffles, the prize I genuinely need is linked to writing about how grateful I am. About what? My mildewy apartment I can barely afford? The vet bills piling up to try and save my cat? My car that seems to live more at the mechanics rather than my covered parking spot that resembles an easy-up after a particularly windy day? How about the unrequited love I have for my coworker? Oh I know, my crappy job? The one that knows it doesn’t pay enoug...

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“Lassitude Journal” by Miller George

Submitted to Contest #261

George shifted nervously in the chair as he told the therapist about the new development with the woman he loved. Another relationship seemed to be failing. He couldn't believe it. Was he that horrible to be with? “George? Did you hear my question?” the therapist asked.“I'm so sorry. I must have zoned out for a second.”“That’s alright; I was asking if you could start working on that gratitude journal I mentioned. I think it will help you tremendously right now. ““Oh, I don't know if that will help me. It’s not the best of time right now...

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“Too Grateful For My Shirt” by Warren Keen

Submitted to Contest #261

July 7Let’s see… Gratitude, from Latin gratus, meaning “pleasing” or “thankful”, close to Latin gratia, grace.Gratuitous, from the same gratus, originally meaning “given without return benefit or compensation,” but later perverted by our mistrust to mean “unwarranted,” because there is no such thing as a free lunch. Are we so ungrateful?Gratuity, once given gratuitously, now demanded and expected. Gratuity, having spread beyond all reasonable prevalence, has become gratuitous anew.I am persona non grata, the ingrate.July 8What am I supposed ...

2 comments 2
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“Ten Days to a Better You” by Helia Rethmann

Submitted to Contest #261

H.Rethmann                                                                                         &nb...

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“I Guess Journaling Does Help” by Andrew Marble

Submitted to Contest #261

October 6, 2022 Hi. My couple’s therapist said I should start journaling to “process my feelings.” What a riot that is. What am I, five? No, I’m a 40 year old man that has been “processing my feelings” my whole life. But that’s besides the point. Really, the only reason I’m even writing in this damn thing is because my wife threatened to divorce me if I don’t. What an ultimatum! “Write nonsense into a journal and then I won’t take the kids and leave.” So fucking dumb. But here I am. Not that she’s been a joy to be around lately, but I also ...

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“The Reluctant Guru” by Derek Macleod

Submitted to Contest #261

Chapter 1: The Reluctant StartJack slouched into Grease and Gears, the acrid scent of oil and rubber assaulting his nostrils. The fluorescent lights flickered on, casting harsh shadows across the dirty floor. He grunted, fumbling with his toolbox."Another day in paradise," he muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Can't wait to see what overpriced, underperforming piece of junk rolls in today."The bell rang, signaling the day's first customer. Jack's shoulders tensed as he turned to face a middle-aged woman clutching her keys."My car's ...

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“Today is another day” by Kar En

Submitted to Contest #261

I’m grateful I’m not dead, he started writing. The journal had stars and butterflies and glitter on the cover. Today is another day, it said in big rainbow letters. It cost $1.50 from the local op-shop. Some recalcitrant thing had chewed on a sparkly corner, and Gavin’s thoughts turned to Manny. As a bubba, he would put everything in his mouth. Once even the dog’s shit, and smeared it all over his face laughing before his mother screamed the roof down. That was a while ago. A long time between drinks. He had to watch the liver these days. Ke...

1 comment 1
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“Gratitude in a Hopeless Place” by Rosie Main

Submitted to Contest #261

*discussion of mental health and suicide* "Jade, do you want to get better?" Dr. Fields asked, eyeing me with her glasses on the tip of her nose. Her office is musty, and her couch is uncomfortable. Who is supposed to feel better in such an uncomfortable environment? "Of course, I do" I responded as I rolled my eyes. I have been seeing Dr. Fields once a week for five months now for what she calls “major depressive disorder”. I say it's normal for people to be sad sometimes, being emotional is part of human nature. Dr. Fields agree...

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