Gratitude Discussion Group

Posted by Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor @debbraw, Nov 24, 2018

Hi everyone! Just before Thanksgiving @michellegraffradford posted a blog called Gratitude Changes Everything. She suggested three techniques to help incorporate gratitude into our daily lives:


  • Start the Day with Gratitude (before getting up think of three people you are grateful for)

  • Maintain a Gratitude Journal to record times when you are grateful

  • Count Blessings – not sheep! (Review the day and remember moments of gratitude)


Her blogpost was so inspiring that a lot of us decided we wanted to form a Gratitude Group to keep the attitude of gratitude going. The blogpost area is not an ideal space for a big discussion group so I am moving the discussion over here to the “Just Want to Talk” Group. Let’s use this space to share and discuss our Gratitude Journey. I’m going to suggest that we each try to take a minute from the day and post here what has made us feel thankful today. It can be as small as a stranger’s smile on the bus or as large as fulfilling a major life dream – or anywhere in between. We can also discuss how we are doing with the three techniques. Sometimes it is easier to form new habits with support from others.

Michelle's full blogpost is at the link below. You may want to review it or print it out to help get started!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed/gratitude-changes-everything/

I look forward to hearing from others in the Gratitude Group and to having others join us here! Thanks to those who already shared great stories. If you haven't yet, what gratitude will you share today?!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@jenniferhunter

I love the Christmas card. That was so thoughtful of your friend. I am and artist and I have a horse too. It's a nice picture. Thanks for sharing it. I'm thinking my horse might look cute in a Santa hat.... (he'll do anything for a carrot)

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@jenniferhunter When I trained horses, one of them was such a clown. He'd do anything I asked of him, and made everything a game. He also ate anything I did, except tuna sandwiches.
Ginger

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@parus

@rachelanne Temple Community??

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@parus
Dear @parus I participate in many Temple community events! One 6 week class begins tomorrow, and is about Grief and Loss! I am grateful and lucky to be so involved in a Temple environment, which offers me comfort when needed! I frankly lost my Cousin 3 weeks ago last Wednesday; which was eerily the night I attended a class on Grief and Loss! I didn't know my Cousin had passed away until my Father called on the following morning! I also lost my Mother 7 and one half prior to my Stroke on 05/04/01 (October 28, 2000)!!!!! I am looking forward to participating in this class tomorrow morning; as it will get me out of my house and into a "better place", both literally and spiritually!
I always appreciate feedback, because it reminds me how important having others who have similar experiences, both cope and offer helpful, honest feedback for someone like myself!
Thank you very much!
Shelley Mintz

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Today I am grateful for little things. Having to face multiple issues, I am grateful to be here to face them. This morning I went early to the local fabric store, to get more flannel [on sale] to back the donation quilts I do. Thinking of others and being there to offer assistance helps me remember my little place in this big ol' wheel we're on. Later today we'll head out to the kidney disease support group we are part of, and I will "chair" the discussion today. Yep, the topic is gratitude :))

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@sarah49

Sorry to hear her have had such a rough life! Neighbor smoking is bad for u. Can the smoker find an apt. further away? Like ur idea of writing a book keep it up! God Bless Merry Christmas Your Friend Sarah

@paradachsie, @sarah49, @parus and @shanke-

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@sarah49
Dear @sarah49
I am on a list, to move closer to my new main hospital in Newton, MA; however, the community is for those 62 and above, unless you are Disabled! I am Disabled from my Stroke; however I am unable to move, unless my Father approves; as he informed me, that I would most likely be taken off that otherlist if I moved out of this place now! However, my Team of Providers is fully aware of my situation, and will help me file a former complaint against my Management Company to the Health Department again (I have filed my own complaints with their department twice in the past year)! I will file another one, both with the Brookline Housing Authority and the Health Department again, if Management doesn't respond in a timely manner (1 week)!

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@debbraw

Today I am grateful for an artist friend of mine. Last week she took a photo of a horse and carriage driver coming down the her quaint little cobblestone street in a Santa outfit. I admired the photo and told her it would make a perfect Christmas card. Yesterday when I walked by her gallery, she came running out with TWO sets of Christmas cards for me - and she wouldn't take any money. It was a beautiful, thoughtful gift of her talent and love. I'm attaching a photo so you can see!

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How beautiful!

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I am grateful for the wonderful weekend we had with our kids and grandson. It is so seldom that we all get together and we always have so much fun when we do. I can't wait to do it again at Christmas!!
Blessings,
JoDee

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@debbraw

@jenniferhunter - Yes! Post a pic of your Santa Horse!

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@debbraw OK, will do. As soon as the storm passes and the snow is cleared, I can go out to see him for a photo.

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@gingerw

@jenniferhunter When I trained horses, one of them was such a clown. He'd do anything I asked of him, and made everything a game. He also ate anything I did, except tuna sandwiches.
Ginger

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@gingerw Horses really understand us and actually communicate what they want from us. They are so healing and calming and honest... the relationship you have with them is based on that trust. My horse is a rescued Tennessee Walker paint and he is so well trained anyone can ride him. I always keep a treat in my pocket when I ride and he knows, so when I ask for a stop on the way home, he stops and looks back at me to see if he'll get something, and he does. Then he'll stop right by where I park my car so I can load the saddle right from him into the car. He is kept with a mare he likes, and didn't recognize her once when her owner passed us riding on the way out as we were coming back. When he noticed she wasn't in the paddock, he called out for her and his eyes got really big and he looked at me wanting to know what I did with her. It was pretty funny. I told him she'd be back, and he kept looking for her in the paddock and watching for her.

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@jenniferhunter

@gingerw Horses really understand us and actually communicate what they want from us. They are so healing and calming and honest... the relationship you have with them is based on that trust. My horse is a rescued Tennessee Walker paint and he is so well trained anyone can ride him. I always keep a treat in my pocket when I ride and he knows, so when I ask for a stop on the way home, he stops and looks back at me to see if he'll get something, and he does. Then he'll stop right by where I park my car so I can load the saddle right from him into the car. He is kept with a mare he likes, and didn't recognize her once when her owner passed us riding on the way out as we were coming back. When he noticed she wasn't in the paddock, he called out for her and his eyes got really big and he looked at me wanting to know what I did with her. It was pretty funny. I told him she'd be back, and he kept looking for her in the paddock and watching for her.

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How scary for him, yet sweet. Animals know us better than we do ourselves sometimes.

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@gingerw

Today I am grateful for little things. Having to face multiple issues, I am grateful to be here to face them. This morning I went early to the local fabric store, to get more flannel [on sale] to back the donation quilts I do. Thinking of others and being there to offer assistance helps me remember my little place in this big ol' wheel we're on. Later today we'll head out to the kidney disease support group we are part of, and I will "chair" the discussion today. Yep, the topic is gratitude :))

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That's great, @gingerw
Gratitude is a great topic for you to lead. I'm sure you will lead a good discussion.

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