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 | Oct 1, 2019
In reply to @parus "@merpreb The day after being sedated is the typically the worst. It flares everything else up...." + (show)
@parus

@merpreb The day after being sedated is the typically the worst. It flares everything else up. I react poorly to anesthetics. I see and hear things that I know are not real in some way and the discomfort will pass. I stay home and away from others until I know my head is on straight or at least as it ever can be-Yes, a funny.
The doctor did a biopsy and was going by what he saw and having been doing this for years he was confident enough to say 3 months until another look. I now know what to watch for and to call the urologist and NOT the primary. My records are a mess no matter what I do. I had blood work done on my thyroid and TSH is waaay low. Still nothing about the results of this. All I can do is refill what I have and continue what I was told to do. Calling gets me nowhere nor does using my patient portal. I honestly don't know what the primary does as I have not been able to get through to any of them. 3 have hauled butt out and now another primary with the personality of a warthog. Continue to try and give her the benefit of the doubt.
I need to rest until my head clears. I am coherent enough to stay home and not get behind the wheel of a car.

Jump to this post

@parus Such good news!

REPLY
Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Oct 1, 2019
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@sundance6 When I received a survey from Mayo after my spine surgery, I did more than..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@sundance6 When I received a survey from Mayo after my spine surgery, I did more than just fill out the survey. The cover letter was written by the CEO who at that time was Dr. John Noseworthy. I had nothing but praise for the skill and compassion of my surgical team, and I wrote a letter about them to Dr. Noseworthy. I think it is important to recognize and appreciate the people who make a difference in your life. Having a team that cared about me helped me get through it all. To my surprise, I received a personal letter back from Dr. Noseworthy thanking me for my letter and telling me that he appreciated and recognized my surgeon as one of Mayo's best. When I got to my 6 week post op follow up, I gave my surgeon a copy of that letter and the one I had written to Dr. Noseworthy, and he was happy to have the letters and thanked me. I went on to express my gratitude even more. They say a picture is worth a thousand words..... Here's my story. https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/

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Jennifer, You are so right about giving praise when a job is well done! I try every day to Thank and Compliment who has done a good job. So often all we hear is critisism in the business world.
The companies I work with that offer exceptional service and people that care are the ones I try and work with the most. I try and give them more than just an "Atta Boy" ! I let them know that because of them my day was a lot better. Same should hold true with Doctors and nurses that give Special Care!
Life should be about caring and helping others. Creates GOOD Karma!
Sundance(RB)

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Oct 1, 2019
In reply to @parus "I will say thanks to all of my cheerleaders. I can say all of the support,..." + (show)
@parus

I will say thanks to all of my cheerleaders. I can say all of the support, caring and prayers I have a positive report for my connect family.
Things look good thus far. Back in 3 months for another check.
Thanks everyone as it helped me to keep trying and press onward. There is strength in numbers.
We are all to be commended on the success of an online community. A place to come and feel safe.
@colleenyoung You are to be congratulated as well as many others. We are all blessed to have friends here.
@hopeful33250 There I go getting sappy once again.
LOVE Y'ALL and relieved to have positive input and a heart full of gratitude for helping me through.
My son took me and when the doctor came in prior to the procedure the cat was out of the bag!!! BUSTED!! He was blindsided but not angry as he did understand. I do all I can to protect even my adult children.

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@parus that's such great news! What a sigh of relief you must have breathed. Your son sounds like mine. When I fell I never mentioned it to him until after I found out two days later that I had a fracture. He was upset that I hadn't told him I had fallen! As if!

@jenniferhunter and @sundance6 You are so right about giving positive feedback to people who do well. I came to realize that when I was a manager in a nice 4 diamond inn and restaurant. People love to complain, but it's the rare person who takes the trouble to compliment. Now I always try to remember to do that.
JK

REPLY
1 reply
karen00 | @karen00 | Oct 1, 2019
In reply to @parus "I will say thanks to all of my cheerleaders. I can say all of the support,..." + (show)
@parus

I will say thanks to all of my cheerleaders. I can say all of the support, caring and prayers I have a positive report for my connect family.
Things look good thus far. Back in 3 months for another check.
Thanks everyone as it helped me to keep trying and press onward. There is strength in numbers.
We are all to be commended on the success of an online community. A place to come and feel safe.
@colleenyoung You are to be congratulated as well as many others. We are all blessed to have friends here.
@hopeful33250 There I go getting sappy once again.
LOVE Y'ALL and relieved to have positive input and a heart full of gratitude for helping me through.
My son took me and when the doctor came in prior to the procedure the cat was out of the bag!!! BUSTED!! He was blindsided but not angry as he did understand. I do all I can to protect even my adult children.

Jump to this post

@parus Hi Parus, I want you to know there is such a thing as “silent” cheerleaders who connect with you, but might not necessarily make it known. I am so happy for you!
Positive thoughts & prayers from me to you!...........Karen

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Oct 2, 2019

@karen00 Thank you and I understand the silent cheerleader thing as I fall into this category too. I have wondered if things had improved for you and if you still had a home or if you and your brother were homeless. I have been MIA and not keeping up with things. Your caring is appreciated.

REPLY
1 reply
Parus | @parus | Oct 2, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@parus that's such great news! What a sigh of relief you must have breathed. Your son..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@parus that's such great news! What a sigh of relief you must have breathed. Your son sounds like mine. When I fell I never mentioned it to him until after I found out two days later that I had a fracture. He was upset that I hadn't told him I had fallen! As if!

@jenniferhunter and @sundance6 You are so right about giving positive feedback to people who do well. I came to realize that when I was a manager in a nice 4 diamond inn and restaurant. People love to complain, but it's the rare person who takes the trouble to compliment. Now I always try to remember to do that.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell So true about people loving to complain. I am guilty of this as well and do my share in the connect community. When I am out and about I always try to find something positive to say to the employees who put up with so much abuse from customers. I am always in the corner of the employee. I saw one break down in tears when a customer was so hateful to her-for no reason other than he could. I told her his behavior said nothing about her and a whole lot about him. The customers behind me were kind as well and we all agreed the previous customer was having a bad day which gave "him" a reason as someone peed in his Wheaties...We also agreed he should be banned from the store. The ugly situation ended in a smile and a hug.
I, as many of us, have worked with the public and it is worse now than when I was doing so. I have not ever know people to be so rude and unkind. Seems we live in a world where a smile and kind word can get one shot. A lose lose situation in many ways.
Okay I have one again veered off the topic of gratitude. When I signed on this morning I was in tears and not wanting to face another day in this mean, ugly and vicious world. Thanks to my friends here I have found the strength to continue on. Now this is something to be grateful for!!!!!

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Oct 2, 2019

@parus- It seems that you are loved by many, many people on Connect. That is truly something to be grateful for.

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Oct 2, 2019

@merpreb So true. One great big cyber hug to everyone. For two people who are at opposite ends of the pole we do have a connection. I have always admired your spunk.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 2, 2019
In reply to @parus "@merpreb The day after being sedated is the typically the worst. It flares everything else up...." + (show)
@parus

@merpreb The day after being sedated is the typically the worst. It flares everything else up. I react poorly to anesthetics. I see and hear things that I know are not real in some way and the discomfort will pass. I stay home and away from others until I know my head is on straight or at least as it ever can be-Yes, a funny.
The doctor did a biopsy and was going by what he saw and having been doing this for years he was confident enough to say 3 months until another look. I now know what to watch for and to call the urologist and NOT the primary. My records are a mess no matter what I do. I had blood work done on my thyroid and TSH is waaay low. Still nothing about the results of this. All I can do is refill what I have and continue what I was told to do. Calling gets me nowhere nor does using my patient portal. I honestly don't know what the primary does as I have not been able to get through to any of them. 3 have hauled butt out and now another primary with the personality of a warthog. Continue to try and give her the benefit of the doubt.
I need to rest until my head clears. I am coherent enough to stay home and not get behind the wheel of a car.

Jump to this post

Let me join the others in "three cheers for @parus." I'm so pleased for you!!!!
By the way, I also have the same problem with anesthetics, the day after is always fraught with anxiety for me and I feel very out of sorts. Wishing you a better day.
Enjoy your day at home and rest well!

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 2, 2019
In reply to @parus "I will say thanks to all of my cheerleaders. I can say all of the support,..." + (show)
@parus

I will say thanks to all of my cheerleaders. I can say all of the support, caring and prayers I have a positive report for my connect family.
Things look good thus far. Back in 3 months for another check.
Thanks everyone as it helped me to keep trying and press onward. There is strength in numbers.
We are all to be commended on the success of an online community. A place to come and feel safe.
@colleenyoung You are to be congratulated as well as many others. We are all blessed to have friends here.
@hopeful33250 There I go getting sappy once again.
LOVE Y'ALL and relieved to have positive input and a heart full of gratitude for helping me through.
My son took me and when the doctor came in prior to the procedure the cat was out of the bag!!! BUSTED!! He was blindsided but not angry as he did understand. I do all I can to protect even my adult children.

Jump to this post

I just love it when you get "sappy" @parus !!!!

REPLY
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