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 | Dec 25, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful we reached our destination in one piece. Attached here is a link..." + (show)
@gingerw

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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Hello @gingerw
I'm also grateful that you made it out of this accident unhurt. That must have been very frightening.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Dec 25, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful we reached our destination in one piece. Attached here is a link..." + (show)
@gingerw

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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@gingerw glad your alright and got home safely Merry Christmas Happy New Year

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 25, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @gingerw I'm also grateful that you made it out of this accident unhurt. That must..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @gingerw
I'm also grateful that you made it out of this accident unhurt. That must have been very frightening.

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@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high gear. What was so awkward was the sleeting rain, slush and black ice on roadway. My waterproof jacket worked great. Glad I had another pair of shoes along, and a warm truck to climb back into. It was a my husband's first major incident like that, and he handled our truck magnificently. I am assessing his emotions and response all day.
Ginger

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3 replies
lioness | @lioness | Dec 25, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high..." + (show)
@gingerw

@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high gear. What was so awkward was the sleeting rain, slush and black ice on roadway. My waterproof jacket worked great. Glad I had another pair of shoes along, and a warm truck to climb back into. It was a my husband's first major incident like that, and he handled our truck magnificently. I am assessing his emotions and response all day.
Ginger

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@gingerw Just saw about Cajon pass that was terrible so glad your alright and hubby had a warm truck to crawl into.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 25, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high..." + (show)
@gingerw

@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high gear. What was so awkward was the sleeting rain, slush and black ice on roadway. My waterproof jacket worked great. Glad I had another pair of shoes along, and a warm truck to climb back into. It was a my husband's first major incident like that, and he handled our truck magnificently. I am assessing his emotions and response all day.
Ginger

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That is a remarkable Christmas story, @gingerw

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Dec 25, 2018

Oh @gingerw - I believe you have the record for things to be grateful for. I am so happy to hear that you are safe and well after that horrific accident.

Tonight I'm just grateful for a quiet and calm Christmas. No traveling, no major entertaining, just a few friends came by to visit. We opened gifts, read our books, enjoyed the beautiful day, and treasured time together. I read a sign recently that expresses it perfectly "This is about as Merry as we get!"

REPLY
jodeej | @jodeej | Dec 26, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high..." + (show)
@gingerw

@hopeful33250 Teresa, I am trained in First Aid and critical incident, and it kicked into high gear. What was so awkward was the sleeting rain, slush and black ice on roadway. My waterproof jacket worked great. Glad I had another pair of shoes along, and a warm truck to climb back into. It was a my husband's first major incident like that, and he handled our truck magnificently. I am assessing his emotions and response all day.
Ginger

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So glad you and your husband are safe, that had to be terrifying for both of you. It's amazing how quickly training can kick into gear, isn't it?

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 26, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "So glad you and your husband are safe, that had to be terrifying for both of..." + (show)
@jodeej

So glad you and your husband are safe, that had to be terrifying for both of you. It's amazing how quickly training can kick into gear, isn't it?

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@jodeej Yes, it was an automatic switch. We got dashcam video of the accident as it happened around us, including truly bad crashes. In the audio, you can hear us both praying, and me calmly saying, "put on your hazard flashers, pull ahead carefully and get to the side. Let's do an all call on the ham radio. I'm bailing out to help as soon as we stop." Muscle memory and all that.
Ginger

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 26, 2018

You both did an outstanding job staying calm and collected @gingerw. Without that presence of mind you would probably not have been as effective.

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Dec 26, 2018

I am grateful that there are still people in the world who understand light bulbs. Remember when you used to go to the hardware store and tell them you need a 50 watt or 75 - or 100? Not anymore. These bulbs come in such an array of sizes, shapes, and types that you need to get a college degree in "light bulb procurement". Our overhead kitchen light fixture in the fan went out on Christmas Day... just before we had friends over. I accommodated. I made it kind of "romantic" - candles, etc. But today I had to go out in search of the halogen bulb with a candelabra base that fits this fixture. Eternal thanks to the man at the store who helped me find the bulb and lit up my world (at least my kitchen - LOL). Hope everyone is enjoying their evening as much as I am!

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