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 27, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@contentandwell our house older home had alot of stuff to get rid of so I made..." + (show)
@lioness

@contentandwell our house older home had alot of stuff to get rid of so I made a pile of stuff to throw out ,sale and donate Bless those ladies that helped me on my estate sale snow blower 2and tractor we had 2other buildings on our 3acres the mobile home was piece of cake then sent 42 boxes out to my son's here pilled car full drove to adopted son the my son and him drove it cross country which they loved. No more

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@lioness @contentandwell My fabric and yarn are still in their bins from the move here last year, so that's easy. I had donated all of my furniture before the move so there will be a small amount up there while I'm by myself . We will split cookware and silverware between the two houses until he is up there. Then just my miscellaneous stuff. I asked the sellers for first right to refusal on any furniture they might want to sell as it fits in with the general age of the house now. We are looking forward, but know that it will be a lot of work. More concerned right now with the different organizations I need to contact and release responsibilities for!
Ginger

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | May 27, 2019
In reply to @harriethodgson1 "On May 8th I had open heart surgery. A Mayo Clinic cardiac surgeon replaced my failing..." + (show)
@harriethodgson1

On May 8th I had open heart surgery. A Mayo Clinic cardiac surgeon replaced my failing mitral valve with a pig valve. To be honest, I didn't think I would survive the surgery but I did. Today, I am grateful to be alive, to be home, to be recovering, and to be returning to my normal life. Every breath is a miracle.

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@harriethodgson1 I'm so glad you are on the mend and have a brighter future ahead! It must have been very worrisome for you, and dealing with those pre-surgical fears is difficult. You've shown all of us your courage, and I'm sure this surgery changed you and your outlook on life. Sometimes, there are not adequate words to explain how that makes you feel, but it lets us know how lucky we are to live in a time in history where medical miracles are possible. It is truly inspiring to look at life differently and see the possibilities that have replaced the doubt.

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lillee | @lillee | May 28, 2019

I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I adopted over 3 years ago. I am a double amputee after 98 surgeries and she came into my life very unexpectedly. Never knew I needed her until I got her. She was my God daughter and her mom left her with me and never came back. Couldn't think of life without her that's for sure

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 28, 2019
In reply to @lillee "I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I..." + (show)
@lillee

I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I adopted over 3 years ago. I am a double amputee after 98 surgeries and she came into my life very unexpectedly. Never knew I needed her until I got her. She was my God daughter and her mom left her with me and never came back. Couldn't think of life without her that's for sure

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@lillee Wow! She is one lucky girl to have you! Views on life change, don’t they, when a cold comes into your life!

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 28, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@lioness It is a short escrow, and many things to do. We hadn't planned to buy..." + (show)
@gingerw

@lioness It is a short escrow, and many things to do. We hadn't planned to buy until next year, but this fell in to our laps. There are some things we are looking in to right now, and hopefully it won't be a deal breaker. The biggest part of this is that I will move up there while my husband continues to live and work here until at least next March when he retires. We thought we had a long-distance relationship before! I just moved here last July, got established, now moving again. All new Dr's again, etc.
Ginger

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@gingerw

I hope that this goes through for you soon if this is the right move. Yes, finding new doctors is tough to do. The worst thing for me is finding a new hair stylist😊(Ok, I admit to being a little vain).

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 28, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@lillee Wow! She is one lucky girl to have you! Views on life change, don’t they,..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@lillee Wow! She is one lucky girl to have you! Views on life change, don’t they, when a cold comes into your life!

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I meant ‘child’!

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | May 28, 2019
In reply to @lillee "I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I..." + (show)
@lillee

I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I adopted over 3 years ago. I am a double amputee after 98 surgeries and she came into my life very unexpectedly. Never knew I needed her until I got her. She was my God daughter and her mom left her with me and never came back. Couldn't think of life without her that's for sure

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@lilee Welcome here to Mayo Clinic Connect. We're glad you found us on the Gratitude discussion. A blessing to you, to have been able to adopt this young gal in need. Unfortunate circumstances led her to you. You both are so lucky! We look forward to your participation here.
Ginger

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 28, 2019

Hello @lillee,

What a great post in our Gratitude discussion. Glad to have you. Post as often as you can.

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lioness | @lioness | May 28, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "I meant ‘child’!" + (show)
@becsbuddy

I meant ‘child’!

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@becsbuddy I'm more guilty of that my Kindle loves to write for me it ug

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JK | @contentandwell | May 28, 2019
In reply to @lillee "I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I..." + (show)
@lillee

I am so grateful that God blessed me with a 4 year old daughter that I adopted over 3 years ago. I am a double amputee after 98 surgeries and she came into my life very unexpectedly. Never knew I needed her until I got her. She was my God daughter and her mom left her with me and never came back. Couldn't think of life without her that's for sure

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@lillee What a blessing for you and for your daughter. It sounds as if you were both very fortunate to have been thrown together.
JK

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