Throughout most of the time I was recovering from cancer (40% 5-year survival odds, 12 years ago), I used a phrase very like the one you use, only mine was along the line: Today I am alive. or I am alive now. It seemed to describe both a very concrete reality and tap into a metaphysical level of truth at the same time. These statements helped me be “real” throughout a scary time.
Also, we now have a whole field in psychology devoted to topics such as the one you point up, called Positive Psychology. Zillions of articles and books out about it. And there is a research literature supporting the health benefits of optimism, for those for whom such an approach is appropriate.
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