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 | Mar 19, 2019

Today I'm grateful that Mayo Connect has a new series called Self-Kindness. Today Part 2 of Self-Kindness posted. Here is the link,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed/practicing-self-kindness-part-2/?
I decided to pick exercise #1, say three nice things to my self. Which one will you practice today?

REPLY
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Mar 19, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@parus and everyone. It was so good to read all these statements. They made me feel..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@parus and everyone. It was so good to read all these statements. They made me feel so much better! I’ve been in a real funk this past week. Just when I thought I was getting better and going east to help my mother, I got the flu. Never had it before I’ve been so miserable. Had to cancel my trip so my sisters had to scramble to see who could go to Mom’s doctor appointment. I’m feeling pretty useless. Hope, hope to get better by May so we can go our 50th anniversary trip! Don’t mind me, my mood will improve. Becky

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@becsbuddy - Becky, I am so sorry to hear about your illness and having to cancel your trip. The flu is miserable enough w/o the added disappointment and stress. Just know that ANYONE would be in a blue funk. Try to be nice to yourself and heal so you can enjoy your 50th anniversary trip. Now THAT is definitely something to be grateful for!

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Mar 19, 2019

Today I'm grateful that I'm finally feeling "normal" enough to do some terribly backed up chores. If you are anything like me, the chores I hate are the ones that get put off the longest. For example... going through the closet and sorting out what needs to be thrown away or given away vs. what actually fits and can be kept. Today, I decided to break the chore down into parts - I went through all of my slacks and crops (the whole bottom rod of the closet). I tried on every single item and made the decision to toss, donate or keep. Whew! I felt so proud of myself that I decided to do the top rod tomorrow - jackets, blouses and dresses.

Teresa @hopeful33250 - I'm also grateful that you shared the Self-Kindness page. I really liked those suggestions. I decided to try the last one this week: Ask yourself "What do I need now?" and then give it to yourself. This will be interesting!

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 19, 2019

@merpreb @lioness @gingerw @parus @hopeful33250 @debbraw Thank you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions! I especially like the cyber hug and the “practicing self kindness” connection. Yes, I did get my flu shot, so I just need to be kinder to myself. I did all the right things. I just need to get used to my new reality of having a compromised immune system—it could be worse! And I’m so grateful for this group and my husband who takes such good care of me. Thank you, Becky

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Parus | @parus | Mar 19, 2019

@hopeful33250 Thanks again!! Also grateful for this series.

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lioness | @lioness | Mar 19, 2019

@hopeful33250 Thanks for this new series I enjoyed reading the diff suggestions looking at the 2or 3 not sure which yet

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Parus | @parus | Mar 19, 2019

Grateful to finally get some of the other residents to do the coloring thing. Also got the coffee thing straightened out with some community effort and coordination. This evening we were going to color and no one was really into thus. We ended up playing Crazy Eights with a deck of cards. No one could remember how so I came home, found the rules online, printed them off and we had a wonderful time of socializing and laughter as well as stretching exercises reaching across the table to draw the cards. I can say it was a hit and we all left with happy faces. Yeah team!!

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 19, 2019
In reply to @parus "Grateful to finally get some of the other residents to do the coloring thing. Also got..." + (show)
@parus

Grateful to finally get some of the other residents to do the coloring thing. Also got the coffee thing straightened out with some community effort and coordination. This evening we were going to color and no one was really into thus. We ended up playing Crazy Eights with a deck of cards. No one could remember how so I came home, found the rules online, printed them off and we had a wonderful time of socializing and laughter as well as stretching exercises reaching across the table to draw the cards. I can say it was a hit and we all left with happy faces. Yeah team!!

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@parus
Fantastic!

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 19, 2019
In reply to @parus "Grateful to finally get some of the other residents to do the coloring thing. Also got..." + (show)
@parus

Grateful to finally get some of the other residents to do the coloring thing. Also got the coffee thing straightened out with some community effort and coordination. This evening we were going to color and no one was really into thus. We ended up playing Crazy Eights with a deck of cards. No one could remember how so I came home, found the rules online, printed them off and we had a wonderful time of socializing and laughter as well as stretching exercises reaching across the table to draw the cards. I can say it was a hit and we all left with happy faces. Yeah team!!

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@parus good for you! Just like you, some of the residents may have days that they feel better than other days so I know that you will be taking that into consideration also. Today my knee is acting up regardless of things I've taken to help alleviate it. I guess racking my side of my hand against the desk was a subconscious way of getting my pain to refocus LOL
Ginger

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Mar 19, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@merpreb @lioness @gingerw @parus @hopeful33250 @debbraw Thank you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions! I..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@merpreb @lioness @gingerw @parus @hopeful33250 @debbraw Thank you all for your kind thoughts and suggestions! I especially like the cyber hug and the “practicing self kindness” connection. Yes, I did get my flu shot, so I just need to be kinder to myself. I did all the right things. I just need to get used to my new reality of having a compromised immune system—it could be worse! And I’m so grateful for this group and my husband who takes such good care of me. Thank you, Becky

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@becsbuddy
On the Epilepsy Society Forum in England the hug thread was the most popular with the most posts.
Jake

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