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.

@jakedduck1

@contentandwell
Hi JK,
If you want to get rid of your goose bumps California can easily accomplish that. Suppose to be in the mid 90’s here in a couple days, oh goodie ☹️ I can’t bear the heat or the California cold. Of course what I’d consider cold, you’d probably consider a nice spring day. What’s a whinny California sissy to do? Move to Hawaii I guess.
Hottest it’s ever been where I live was 113 degrees in 2006. Furnace Creek in Death Valley is 160 miles away (but by car you have to go 400 miles) and the hottest recorded temp on earth, 134 degrees.
Don’t forget your sun tan lotion, lol
Jake

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@jakedduck1 I have been to that National Forest Service office, where the picture is from. We camped in Furnace Creek for a week in March a couple years back. It was toasty already. Last year when I moved here, it was 113 at 9:30 at night the day I made the final load. Grateful for central a/c here, but missing the coastal coolness.
Ginger

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@contentandwell

@debbraw @jakedduck1 I love New England but I think I am in the wrong place right now. Sort of dreary today, temps in the 60s, with some showers, rain tomorrow, and in the 60s all week. I really need some sun and warm weather.
JK

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@contentandwell I'm grateful for as many cool days as I can get because I get housebound when he humidity is about 60%.
Hope that you all had a peaceful day yesterday. I ate too much!

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@contentandwell Good morning I all it's 7:30 here already 70 beautiful blue sky .I can take this weather but when it gets into 90,s I melt had to get use to low humidity here usually in 20 percent from East coast of 70_80 but can't take it anymore.

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@merpreb

@contentandwell I'm grateful for as many cool days as I can get because I get housebound when he humidity is about 60%.
Hope that you all had a peaceful day yesterday. I ate too much!

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@merpreb My day was peaceful. Housebound is not much fun. I know others that humidity is difficult for them. I have a friend with COPD and a multitude of other health issues. I know how she struggles. Six months ago her older sister died suddenly and last week her older brother who had retired to FL with his wife was mowing the yard and died of a heart attack. Never had health issues that anyone was aware of. Trying to get my strength back as she will be needing my friendship and support more than ever. She is a special gal and 7 years my younger.
Thanks I just needed to share a little. We are all here to help one another.

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@parus-Life seems so unfair, doesn't it. I can't imagine losing two siblings in less than a year. I'm sure that even if you aren't up-to-par you will be offering her full support! Did you know her family? Will you be going down to see her? I'm so sorry @parus that this is an added emotional burden right now but you are strong and up to it. I just know that you are. Share away @parus, I'm here for you.

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@parus

@merpreb My day was peaceful. Housebound is not much fun. I know others that humidity is difficult for them. I have a friend with COPD and a multitude of other health issues. I know how she struggles. Six months ago her older sister died suddenly and last week her older brother who had retired to FL with his wife was mowing the yard and died of a heart attack. Never had health issues that anyone was aware of. Trying to get my strength back as she will be needing my friendship and support more than ever. She is a special gal and 7 years my younger.
Thanks I just needed to share a little. We are all here to help one another.

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I am sorry to hear of your friend's many losses, @parus. I'm glad that she has you for a friend, she will certainly need someone to talk with and share with and you are just the right person.

I'm glad that you shared about that. Yes, you are right, "We are all here to help one another."

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Today, I'm grateful that I could go to the Y for senior water exercise. It's a low key workout and I do it at my own pace and don't try to keep up with everyone else, but it feels good to come back, eat and take a nap. I truly believe that life is better in the water than on land!

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@gingerw

@jakedduck1 I have been to that National Forest Service office, where the picture is from. We camped in Furnace Creek for a week in March a couple years back. It was toasty already. Last year when I moved here, it was 113 at 9:30 at night the day I made the final load. Grateful for central a/c here, but missing the coastal coolness.
Ginger

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@gingerw Hi Gingerw, if you don’t mind, where do you live that it’s so hot?

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@hopeful33250

Today, I'm grateful that I could go to the Y for senior water exercise. It's a low key workout and I do it at my own pace and don't try to keep up with everyone else, but it feels good to come back, eat and take a nap. I truly believe that life is better in the water than on land!

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Thanks for mentioning water exercises—I put it in my notebook to ask the neurologist next week! Earlier, I was told no because the steroids keep my immune system too low. But, I’ll ask! Thanks, Becky

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@jakedduck1

@contentandwell
Hi JK,
If you want to get rid of your goose bumps California can easily accomplish that. Suppose to be in the mid 90’s here in a couple days, oh goodie ☹️ I can’t bear the heat or the California cold. Of course what I’d consider cold, you’d probably consider a nice spring day. What’s a whinny California sissy to do? Move to Hawaii I guess.
Hottest it’s ever been where I live was 113 degrees in 2006. Furnace Creek in Death Valley is 160 miles away (but by car you have to go 400 miles) and the hottest recorded temp on earth, 134 degrees.
Don’t forget your sun tan lotion, lol
Jake

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Reminds me of when we went to visit our son who was stationed at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, CA. In the Mojave Desert. He kept the door to his BOQ (bachelors quarters) because he didn’t like the AC! He was in the army and much younger. Becky

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