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.

Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Dec 3, 2018

Today I'm grateful that I have gotten just about all of my holiday decorating done. In our little town, we have a thing called Nights of Lights. They light up the town before Thanksgiving and it stays lit until after Christmas. We get lots of tourists who come in for that, but it puts a LOT of pressure on people who live in town to get their own lights up early. I always feel that I'm behind! But now, my outside lights are on, and my inside decorations are nearly done. Whew!

@karen00 - when I read your post, I totally understood what you meant - and @rosegold & @lioness. YES.. it does seem to go from Halloween to Christmas and skip Thanksgiving. But we are making up for that here. We are having our own focus on giving thanks - thanksgiving!! Oh yes @gingerw - inclusiveness IS a word - it's the best word! I'm glad you reminded us of it. Thanks to all of you.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 3, 2018

In reply to @lioness "Parts here's a picture I just did for Grandson" + (show)

@lioness What a great use of colors. Thanks for sharing.

lucylee | @lucylee | Dec 3, 2018

My friend has been sick for six months and she and I are flying to Mayo tomorrow. I'm grateful that I've experienced the "Mayo Miracle" myself and that I can share that with my friend.
My health keeps me at home a lot so I shop online and that frequently means calling the "Help Line" at Amazon, etc. I try to make a point of using their name during our conversation, and asking how they're doing. It seems to reduce my stress and I hope it makes their tough job a little friendlier. I'm grateful to the nice person who suggested this technique.

lioness | @lioness | Dec 3, 2018

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@lioness What a great use of colors. Thanks for sharing." + (show)

@hopeful33250 thanks

deaconrest | @deaconrest | Dec 4, 2018

For the goodness in all nature to champion life over demise

Parus | @parus | Dec 4, 2018

@rosemarya Thank you for the update. Making afgan blocks sounds delightful. I do marvel at how some can take these tools and create something. It looks easy when someone does thus. A skill I could not learn. I like the idea of snowmen. I am making some snowmen out of clothes pins. Also have this years Christmas card designed. This year I decided to do pencil rather than color. Thank you again. 🙂

Parus | @parus | Dec 4, 2018

In reply to @lioness "@gingerw my laptop wouldn't cooperate and open ,have to get someone to look at it but..." + (show)

@lioness These misfortunes do occur. 😞

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 4, 2018

Today I am grateful to be here, reading posts from different ones friends from around this big cyber table.
Ginger

Parus | @parus | Dec 4, 2018

In reply to @lioness "Parts here's a picture I just did for Grandson" + (show)

@lioness This is one of your designs? I occasionally do black and white zentangles. When I get too much color going I become overwhelmed. I am grateful for the variety in ways to keep our minds busy. I am also grateful for this online community.

coffeebean | @coffeebean | Dec 4, 2018

Debra - I also want to join your gratitude group. Last March I ended up having 2 surgeries in 3 days. One was for a bowel blockage, the other for a broken leg that happened when I fell off the front porch on my way to the doctor. My daughter was there and helped me get to the doctor anyway. We didn’t know my leg was broken at that time. Following the surgeries I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic I was taking for the bowel surgery. I had a heart attack and 2 grand mal seizures. I was in the hospital 2 months and because of the seizures was unable to drive for 6 months. I am very grateful not to have any lasting disabilities as a result of what happened and will be having an ostomy reversal in January. The support I received from my children and friends has been phenomenal. My dtr,who lives in the same town, has been my angel.
Bi know I am very fortunate to have survived and want to be part of your gratitude group. I believe gratitude is the key to living our best life.