1. < Just Want to Talk

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.

Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 28, 2018

@debbraw
It is a great journey. I can't imagine sharing it with better people that you all are! Rest well and let's be grateful for another day.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 28, 2018
In reply to @debbraw "Hey everybody! Just a few thoughts as I read posts tonight... I know that geographically we..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hey everybody! Just a few thoughts as I read posts tonight... I know that geographically we are widely separated even though our hearts are close. But I didn't think to realize that we had people affected by the CA wildfires. How awfully scary. @gingerw - I'm grateful you are safe! And Teresa @hopeful33250 - I loved your quote. Thanks for the inspiration. @karen00 - I'm so glad you came over here to our group. I'm betting that you and your brother are two amazing people (even if you do bicker like siblings do!!). And finally @panache - I hope you will join us here. It's a great bunch of people who are helping each other on a GREAT and GRATEFUL journey of gratitude.

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@debbraw @parus Where I moved to this past July, we do not have much chance of flooding. Where I moved from [living in one complex for over 11 years], I faced flood concerns each winter. Sandbags are great, but tiring after a while dealing with them. About 20 years ago I was caught up in floods from rain, at my job, where the building was flooded twice in one season. We marked the walls showing water levels, and lost a lot of equipment and peace of mind. In the late 70s I was caught in a flood from dam breaking; we had to evacuate with racehorses. There are also fires and earthquakes in my past exposure, so tonight I am grateful to be inside and warm!
Ginger

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 29, 2018

Today I am grateful that my husband has another vehicle to drive. He usually rides a motorcycle to and from work. It is raining, with mandatory evacuations in some areas, flooding expected, and many traffic issues. He put the bike away for today and took a four-wheeled vehicle. Hope everyone stays grateful today.
Ginger

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Nov 29, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful that my husband has another vehicle to drive. He usually rides a..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful that my husband has another vehicle to drive. He usually rides a motorcycle to and from work. It is raining, with mandatory evacuations in some areas, flooding expected, and many traffic issues. He put the bike away for today and took a four-wheeled vehicle. Hope everyone stays grateful today.
Ginger

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@gingerw I am still picturing ash and rain. What a slimy mess. Does it turn back to ash when things dry out? I am thankful your hubby had an enclosed vehicle too.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 29, 2018
In reply to @parus "@gingerw I am still picturing ash and rain. What a slimy mess. Does it turn back..." + (show)
@parus

@gingerw I am still picturing ash and rain. What a slimy mess. Does it turn back to ash when things dry out? I am thankful your hubby had an enclosed vehicle too.

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@parus no basically it hardens like concrete, becoming very difficult to work through. People are still trying to recover goods from their property and sift through ash and destruction. Adding water to the mess in the form of rain, makes it even more difficult. FWIW it is raining outside and our cat has climbed her way onto my lap. She is a rescue who had a lot of trauma, and I am grateful for her trust.
Ginger

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Nov 29, 2018

@gingerw Thank you. I thought this would be the case from what I have experienced on a much smaller scale. I am sure kitty is also thankful.

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lioness | @lioness | Nov 29, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@parus no basically it hardens like concrete, becoming very difficult to work through. People are still..." + (show)
@gingerw

@parus no basically it hardens like concrete, becoming very difficult to work through. People are still trying to recover goods from their property and sift through ash and destruction. Adding water to the mess in the form of rain, makes it even more difficult. FWIW it is raining outside and our cat has climbed her way onto my lap. She is a rescue who had a lot of trauma, and I am grateful for her trust.
Ginger

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@ginger I'm glad your o.k. , I'm grateful I'm in Long Beach not in the fire areas Lots of prayers are still there for the fire victims who lost there homes I hope you didn't

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1 reply
rosegold | @rosegold | Nov 29, 2018
In reply to @debbraw "Hey everybody! Just a few thoughts as I read posts tonight... I know that geographically we..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hey everybody! Just a few thoughts as I read posts tonight... I know that geographically we are widely separated even though our hearts are close. But I didn't think to realize that we had people affected by the CA wildfires. How awfully scary. @gingerw - I'm grateful you are safe! And Teresa @hopeful33250 - I loved your quote. Thanks for the inspiration. @karen00 - I'm so glad you came over here to our group. I'm betting that you and your brother are two amazing people (even if you do bicker like siblings do!!). And finally @panache - I hope you will join us here. It's a great bunch of people who are helping each other on a GREAT and GRATEFUL journey of gratitude.

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I am grateful for clean water,clean clothes and God gave me another day. Life is precious! My prayers to all on the California wildfires victim, families and the animals that made it thru. God bless!

REPLY
rosegold | @rosegold | Nov 29, 2018
In reply to @karen00 "*I never thought I would be grateful for the care I am receiving from my brother...." + (show)
@karen00

*I never thought I would be grateful for the care I am receiving from my brother. We always fought like cats and dogs (actually still do!). I passed out and fell and hurt my knee AND found out that the reason I passed out was because I had a clot in my lung. I have experienced excrutiating pain and it’s extremely hard to walk. He makes my meals and helps with anything else I need. Who would have thought?

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Karen, you are blessed and I hope you get well very soon!🙂

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1 reply
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Nov 29, 2018

I am having company this evening - friends from DC that I haven't seen in several years. They are driving to Miami and stopping here in St. Augustine for the night. I am thankful for the opportunity to visit and catch up. We'll go out to dinner and then come back to my house where they will spend the night. This will give us lots of time to reminisce and reconnect. Hope everyone has a pleasant, safe and happy evening.

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