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
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 8, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@becsbuddy Thank you yes we had all the equipment We bought the mounts I loved working..." + (show)
@lioness

@becsbuddy Thank you yes we had all the equipment We bought the mounts I loved working in making them ,we use to go to Flintridge Ohio to dig for Flint they made some beautiful pieces My husband made a nice ring for agate it that gray,white piece that is Botswana agate from Africa ,he did Bolo ties and beltbuckles .After he died I sold all the equipment .I think a senior center here has lapidary .I'd like to get into it again

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They are beautiful!

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | May 8, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "They are beautiful!" + (show)
@becsbuddy

They are beautiful!

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@becsbuddy Thanks I didn't bring alot with me when I moved my grandson loves gemstones also My son took them to a mine where they mined like the , 49,s did

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Lyn | @pearlbaby7 | May 8, 2019
In reply to @parus "This drawing has taken me a month to complete. Grateful I could complete it. @gingerw I..." + (show)
@parus

This drawing has taken me a month to complete. Grateful I could complete it. @gingerw I thought about you a lot as I was making all of these calming lines. some of my best medicine.

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@parus Gorgeous!

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | May 9, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@parus Simply wow! How beautiful. Here is what I worked on yesterday afternoon. The simplicity yet..." + (show)
@gingerw

@parus Simply wow! How beautiful.
Here is what I worked on yesterday afternoon. The simplicity yet complexity of line placement played to my mind yesterday, and helped my focus on an upcoming situation.
Ginger

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That looks intensely complicated. That would totally stress me out but lines do that to me.
I took a calligraphy class years ago and we had to draw the lines to write in. At the end of the 3 hr class everyone was putting their work on the bulletin board. The teacher ask if I wanted her to put my work up, I showed her I hadn’t even got my lines drawn and she died laughing. Needless to say I never went back. Don’t even ask about dancing school!!!
Jake

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2 replies
Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | May 10, 2019

Today I'm grateful for this group, my caregivers support group at Council on Aging, the HABIT support group at Mayo, and the Hospice counselor who is helping me with grief counseling. Whoever said "It takes a village to raise a child" didn't know the half of what it takes to "age in place"! I think many of you know that my husband has dementia and I'm the primary caregiver. We've had a rough week and without the huge support network I have, I just don't know how I would have made it. Many thanks.

@harriethodgson1 - I thought of you with admiration many times this week and about all of the years you've spent as a caregiver. And I'm thinking of you this morning as you go into surgery. All of my best wishes for a great outcome and speedy recovery.

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4 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 10, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "That looks intensely complicated. That would totally stress me out but lines do that to me...." + (show)
@jakedduck1

That looks intensely complicated. That would totally stress me out but lines do that to me.
I took a calligraphy class years ago and we had to draw the lines to write in. At the end of the 3 hr class everyone was putting their work on the bulletin board. The teacher ask if I wanted her to put my work up, I showed her I hadn’t even got my lines drawn and she died laughing. Needless to say I never went back. Don’t even ask about dancing school!!!
Jake

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Hi @jakedduck1, I feel the same way, Leonard, about all of those fine lines. I'm sure it would not be relaxing for me, but I do admire the effort that goes into that kind of work. Sorry, that you had an embarrassing experience with your class.

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | May 10, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Today I'm grateful for this group, my caregivers support group at Council on Aging, the HABIT..." + (show)
@debbraw

Today I'm grateful for this group, my caregivers support group at Council on Aging, the HABIT support group at Mayo, and the Hospice counselor who is helping me with grief counseling. Whoever said "It takes a village to raise a child" didn't know the half of what it takes to "age in place"! I think many of you know that my husband has dementia and I'm the primary caregiver. We've had a rough week and without the huge support network I have, I just don't know how I would have made it. Many thanks.

@harriethodgson1 - I thought of you with admiration many times this week and about all of the years you've spent as a caregiver. And I'm thinking of you this morning as you go into surgery. All of my best wishes for a great outcome and speedy recovery.

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@debbraw- Aww Deb I'm sorry. You certainly have a tough disease to try and understand so that you can do your best. Do you have help at home? I know that you are a primary care giver and have a wonderful support system but is there physical support for him so that you can take breaks? Get out of the house and so somethings?

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | May 10, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@harriethodgson- I am sure that I speak for all of us when I wish you the..." + (show)
@merpreb

@harriethodgson- I am sure that I speak for all of us when I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure that the operation will be a huge success. Please, when you feel up to it, come back and tell us all about it! Merry

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@harriethodgson1- Good morning Harriet. I hope that your operation was successful and that you aren't feeling too horrible today. I'm thinking about you and wish you an easy recovery.

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 10, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Today I'm grateful for this group, my caregivers support group at Council on Aging, the HABIT..." + (show)
@debbraw

Today I'm grateful for this group, my caregivers support group at Council on Aging, the HABIT support group at Mayo, and the Hospice counselor who is helping me with grief counseling. Whoever said "It takes a village to raise a child" didn't know the half of what it takes to "age in place"! I think many of you know that my husband has dementia and I'm the primary caregiver. We've had a rough week and without the huge support network I have, I just don't know how I would have made it. Many thanks.

@harriethodgson1 - I thought of you with admiration many times this week and about all of the years you've spent as a caregiver. And I'm thinking of you this morning as you go into surgery. All of my best wishes for a great outcome and speedy recovery.

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@debbraw I really admire you! You are always so cheerful and upbeat. It’s like that old saying, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”! Are their any senior centers or senior programs in town that your husband could go to once a week? Just so you have some time alone. I really admire what you’re doing!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 10, 2019
In reply to @jakedduck1 "That looks intensely complicated. That would totally stress me out but lines do that to me...." + (show)
@jakedduck1

That looks intensely complicated. That would totally stress me out but lines do that to me.
I took a calligraphy class years ago and we had to draw the lines to write in. At the end of the 3 hr class everyone was putting their work on the bulletin board. The teacher ask if I wanted her to put my work up, I showed her I hadn’t even got my lines drawn and she died laughing. Needless to say I never went back. Don’t even ask about dancing school!!!
Jake

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@jakedduck1 Jake, this type of intense focus is right up my alley. What I need to learn is to relax. Oddly, Zentangle does that for me. Yep, like you, this gal cannot dance!
Ginger

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