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
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 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 am glad you have found resources to help you. My mother fell into Alzheimer's and dementia, also. Back then there were fewer directions to turn to for assistance. It is important to take time for yourself. A small group of very understanding friends and neighbors, who can swoop you up at a moment's notice for a lunch out, or an out I g of sort, is a treasure. Do you have that? Keeping some normalcy in your own personal life is critical for your well-being. Sending you cyber-hugs this morning,
Ginger

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lioness | @lioness | May 10, 2019

debbraw I echo what Ginger said it's so important to have a life of your own too besides taking care of your husband. My Mother had dementia of the Alzheimer type but I was fortunate when I couldn't help her anymore I put her in the nursing home I worked at so I could see her more .I think some people and my Mom knew when her time was coming as she pulled me down and kissed me then 5:30 next morning I was called that she went home

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

Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you. It means a lot. Some of your questions centered on what kind of resources are available for my husband so that I get a break. At this point, he is fairly independent and very capable of being on his own for a few hours - gardening or doing computer games inside - while I shop, visit or or go to the counselor. I know that won't last forever so I'm working on setting up support people. It's falling into place - slowly but surely. Our Mayo HABIT program includes a group for the patients while the caregivers have a separate group. And my Council on Aging Support Group has a list of resources. Best of all, our housekeeper has told me she will help anyway she can. He really likes her and she's great with him. I'm planning to have her start coming more often so that the new schedule will already be in place when he needs more supervision. Again, thanks to all of you for your warm thoughts.

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3 replies
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 10, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you...." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you. It means a lot. Some of your questions centered on what kind of resources are available for my husband so that I get a break. At this point, he is fairly independent and very capable of being on his own for a few hours - gardening or doing computer games inside - while I shop, visit or or go to the counselor. I know that won't last forever so I'm working on setting up support people. It's falling into place - slowly but surely. Our Mayo HABIT program includes a group for the patients while the caregivers have a separate group. And my Council on Aging Support Group has a list of resources. Best of all, our housekeeper has told me she will help anyway she can. He really likes her and she's great with him. I'm planning to have her start coming more often so that the new schedule will already be in place when he needs more supervision. Again, thanks to all of you for your warm thoughts.

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That is so good to know! Keep finding resources! Becky

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 10, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you...." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you. It means a lot. Some of your questions centered on what kind of resources are available for my husband so that I get a break. At this point, he is fairly independent and very capable of being on his own for a few hours - gardening or doing computer games inside - while I shop, visit or or go to the counselor. I know that won't last forever so I'm working on setting up support people. It's falling into place - slowly but surely. Our Mayo HABIT program includes a group for the patients while the caregivers have a separate group. And my Council on Aging Support Group has a list of resources. Best of all, our housekeeper has told me she will help anyway she can. He really likes her and she's great with him. I'm planning to have her start coming more often so that the new schedule will already be in place when he needs more supervision. Again, thanks to all of you for your warm thoughts.

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@debbraw That sounds like an awesome housekeeper! She's just the caliber of support you need now and as you move forward. My father didn't have any respite care for my mother and truthfully might not have accepted any. We're here for you at the cyber table, cuppa tea or hot chocolate waiting for you!
Ginger

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 11, 2019
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you...." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @merpreb, @becsbuddy, @lioness, @gingerw and all the others who sent me good vibes! Thank you. It means a lot. Some of your questions centered on what kind of resources are available for my husband so that I get a break. At this point, he is fairly independent and very capable of being on his own for a few hours - gardening or doing computer games inside - while I shop, visit or or go to the counselor. I know that won't last forever so I'm working on setting up support people. It's falling into place - slowly but surely. Our Mayo HABIT program includes a group for the patients while the caregivers have a separate group. And my Council on Aging Support Group has a list of resources. Best of all, our housekeeper has told me she will help anyway she can. He really likes her and she's great with him. I'm planning to have her start coming more often so that the new schedule will already be in place when he needs more supervision. Again, thanks to all of you for your warm thoughts.

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@debbraw- Good morning. I'm so glad to hear that you still have some freedom and help. It's also fitting that you have things lined up for the future! I know that you have a support system but how are you doing?

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JK | @contentandwell | May 11, 2019

Hi all, I've had a crazy-busy week so barely had any time on the computer. I am happy to finally have a few moments though, and also that the sun is shining, and our rhododendrons are blooming, despite the bottom half of them being bare from being eaten by deer. I am grateful too for the lovely roses that arrived this morning from my daughter, wishing me a Happy Mother's Day.

Have a great Mother's Day everyone. We had dinner reservations but went out to lunch on Wednesday and out to dinner on Thursday night and that's about as many times as I care to dine out that close together, it's just too difficult to keep an eye on what I order. Speaking of which though, I am also grateful that I have reached my first milestone in weight loss. Now if I can keep that ball rolling to my next milestone I will be pretty happy.

On to catching up now.
JK
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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | May 11, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning- @parus. Aren't they something! You probably know this but their ancestors were the dinosaurs...." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning- @parus. Aren't they something! You probably know this but their ancestors were the dinosaurs. They still look prehistoric. I wonder if anyone else is watching them? They are eating breakfast now.
https://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/decorah-eagles/

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@merpreb Where are these eagles? There are eagles that nest next to the Merrimack River where it goes through our town. There's a walking path there but they close it during mating season so the eagles are not disturbed.
JK

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | May 11, 2019
In reply to @harriethodgson1 "This morning, as I am about to have open heart surgery, I am profoundly grateful for..." + (show)
@harriethodgson1

This morning, as I am about to have open heart surgery, I am profoundly grateful for the gift of life and the happy life I've lived. Though I've survived profoundly sad times, I am still grateful for all the good times, my devoted husband and family.

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@harriethodgson1 I hope your open heart surgery went well. Looking forward to you feeling well enough to post again.
JK

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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | May 11, 2019

I'm grateful today that my youngest sister and youngest niece are coming to spend the weekend. I can't wait to catch up! They will leave Monday to go on a cruise to Cuba, then back here next Friday before they drive home to NC. So it's almost like getting a 2-for-1 sale! I get to look forward to two visits!

And many thanks for your warm and caring comments. @merpreb and others - right now I truly am doing well. And @gingerw and others, I appreciate that spot at the cybertable. Sometimes it makes all the difference. I wish the heart on this Connect platform was bigger so I could love all of your comments more!!

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