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 | Jan 2, 2019

As I watched part of the Rose Bowl Parade yesterday, I felt grateful and comforted by the beauty of the flowers and loveliness of the weather and the enthusiasm of all the people involved in the parade. What a nice way to start 2019.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 2, 2019
In reply to @karen00 "@gingerw .....Hi Ginger! I specifically set my phone alarm so I wouldn’t forget your float -..." + (show)
@karen00

@gingerw .....Hi Ginger! I specifically set my phone alarm so I wouldn’t forget your float - and I wasn’t disappointed! It was beautiful. I’ve always wondered what it must be like to be around all those beautiful flowers. My Mom always loved that parade, as she played the flute in her marching band in high school and loved watching the bands in action! She passed on 5 years ago but the parade reminds me so much of her and her New Year’s Day food spread! I wouldn't have watched it if it hadn’t have been for you. God works in mysterious ways. Go figure!

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@karen00 My mother enjoyed marching bands, also. She would sometimes park her car in the Jr or Sr high school parking lot in the mornings to listen and watch the students practicing. She loved parades; I recall as a very young girl sitting on the curb in front of furniture store, watching the bagpipe band from the 7Up company go silently by, their plumed hats moving in cadence. Thank you for that memory!
Ginger

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 2, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @gingerw I took my mom out to lunch for New Year's Day and I missed..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @gingerw

I took my mom out to lunch for New Year's Day and I missed seeing your float. I can't recall if you posted a picture of it already. If not, would you post again?

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@hopeful33250 Teresa, here is a link with back story. Or, you can Google 2019 Rose Parade floats and see all of them. I was honored to be a part of it all. They have all the floats lined up for public viewing today, but it is way too cold for me to head out - it is about 35 degrees!
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005046/en/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005046/en/2019-Donate-Life-Rose-Parade-Float-Inspires-Donate-Life-Rose-Parade-Float-Inspires

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 2, 2019

Beautiful float, @gingerw. I too, am glad that you were a part of it~

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Jan 2, 2019

Today I am grateful for a wonderfully thoughtful gift a friend brought me yesterday. She is from Mexico and went to visit her parents for Christmas. She returned with Mexican Vanilla for me for baking. I cannot wait to try it. Stay tuned...

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 2, 2019

Today I am grateful for helping out. The prayer shawl group was able to gather enough scarves for a youth project at the church. And a subsequent visit to a hobby/craft/fabric store let me assist someone choosing some fabric and yarn. Little things to be thankful are just as important as big things, and sometimes all we have is the little things ;))

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 2, 2019

Today Im very grateful for a Lyft driver finding my wallet ,I connected by phone with her she brought right to me .

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Parus | @parus | Jan 3, 2019
In reply to @lioness "Today Im very grateful for a Lyft driver finding my wallet ,I connected by phone with..." + (show)
@lioness

Today Im very grateful for a Lyft driver finding my wallet ,I connected by phone with her she brought right to me .

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@lioness Thank you for sharing this as it is a reminder that there are kind people in the world and something of which to be grateful.

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Parus | @parus | Jan 3, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am grateful for helping out. The prayer shawl group was able to gather enough..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am grateful for helping out. The prayer shawl group was able to gather enough scarves for a youth project at the church. And a subsequent visit to a hobby/craft/fabric store let me assist someone choosing some fabric and yarn. Little things to be thankful are just as important as big things, and sometimes all we have is the little things ;))

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@gingerw You are so right on. I am grateful for the little things others do. A little note of encouragement means a lot.

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Parus | @parus | Jan 3, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Today I am grateful for a wonderfully thoughtful gift a friend brought me yesterday. She is..." + (show)
@debbraw

Today I am grateful for a wonderfully thoughtful gift a friend brought me yesterday. She is from Mexico and went to visit her parents for Christmas. She returned with Mexican Vanilla for me for baking. I cannot wait to try it. Stay tuned...

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@debbraw Wonderful and doesn’t take much. WOW!! What a gift!

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