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.

Today I'm grateful for the smell of cookies baking in the house. I truly believe it would be impossible to keep from smiling when you smell the wonderful aroma of baking. I don't do it often but today I made chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, and blondie bars. Tomorrow I'm going to do Ginger Snaps. I'm felling happy.

It made me REALLY happy to see the post by @jodeej. That is just the perfect image of being comfortable together - the babies, dogs, girls, boys - all doing their own things together. I love it.

And @gingerw - Congratulations on your clean up effort. You gave me the idea to talk to my sewing buddies about having a sewing swap after the holidays. Everybody can clean out their sewing room and put what they don't want up for trade! I know the feeling of seeing things I haven't thought about for years - and sometimes didn't even know I owned.

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I'm going to share a little one-minute You Tube video that a friend shared with me. It's called The Mayo Minute. If you or someone you know is starting to feel down during the holidays, this may help lift the spirits. Feel free to pass it along!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQbahtfM-SM&feature=youtu.be

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@debbraw

Today I'm grateful for the smell of cookies baking in the house. I truly believe it would be impossible to keep from smiling when you smell the wonderful aroma of baking. I don't do it often but today I made chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, and blondie bars. Tomorrow I'm going to do Ginger Snaps. I'm felling happy.

It made me REALLY happy to see the post by @jodeej. That is just the perfect image of being comfortable together - the babies, dogs, girls, boys - all doing their own things together. I love it.

And @gingerw - Congratulations on your clean up effort. You gave me the idea to talk to my sewing buddies about having a sewing swap after the holidays. Everybody can clean out their sewing room and put what they don't want up for trade! I know the feeling of seeing things I haven't thought about for years - and sometimes didn't even know I owned.

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@debbraw Sewing room cleanup and trade around are fun. Someone's unfinished project can be great incentive.
And, thank you for the video, well put and so timely.
Ginger

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Today I am grateful for the holiday gathering of our kidney disease support group. We all agreed this was family we chose. It was fun to watch the interaction of people, and talk about the different customs some follow. Besides USA, we had people from home countries of Mexico, El Salvador, and Sri Lanka.
Ginger

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@debbraw

I'm going to share a little one-minute You Tube video that a friend shared with me. It's called The Mayo Minute. If you or someone you know is starting to feel down during the holidays, this may help lift the spirits. Feel free to pass it along!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQbahtfM-SM&feature=youtu.be

Jump to this post

@debbraw Thanks for the video ,inspiring .Im grateful for today I went to my sons for dinner and gift exchange as they will be going on winter vacation but they gave me a 100.00 visa card yea .I watched the game with him then he brought me home this made my day a little brighter and uplifting .My grandson is a silly boy the littlest thing makes him happy ☺and me

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@lioness

@debbraw Thanks for the video ,inspiring .Im grateful for today I went to my sons for dinner and gift exchange as they will be going on winter vacation but they gave me a 100.00 visa card yea .I watched the game with him then he brought me home this made my day a little brighter and uplifting .My grandson is a silly boy the littlest thing makes him happy ☺and me

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I just love these grandson stories, @lioness! I'm happy for you that you had such a nice day.

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@hopeful33250

I just love these grandson stories, @lioness! I'm happy for you that you had such a nice day.

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@hopeful33250 thanks yes it did make my day when I think of last its a warm@fuzzy feeling You have s good day

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@lioness

@hopeful33250 thanks yes it did make my day when I think of last its a warm@fuzzy feeling You have s good day

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The warm fuzzies are the best of all, @lioness! Merry Christmas~

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Merry Christmas Eve! I am grateful that so far all of my packages have arrived at their destination EXCEPT for those I sent my two sisters. I gave my mailman some cookies that I baked today and he said he was going to be working until 9pm tonight delivering last minute packages. I'm hoping my sisters gifts get there in time. Hope you all have a great Christmas!

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Today I am grateful we reached our destination in one piece. Attached here is a link to a YouTube video from a local news group of the accident that happened this morning on our way out of town. We were in the middle of cars crashing into each other and into big rigs, and escaped with no injury or damage. We did stop to assist as we could and waited until paramedics and fire trucks were on scene before we left. It was not a good holiday for a lot of people. Video is about 4 minutes long, can be considered graphic. About 40 cars/ trucks/big rigs involved.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=%23&ved=2ahUKEwifsfuZrbzfAhWSJTQIHcbWD0EQwqsBMAN6BAgMEAU&usg=AOvVaw0VTJzWxrN8ZFOD4xbU2nov
Ginger

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