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.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Nov 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 28, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@mamacita We never know how a dr will be for our own case until we get..." + (show)
@gingerw

@mamacita We never know how a dr will be for our own case until we get the appt with them, right? Glad to hear you were pleased and that there is an answer to your vision issue. I guess they will do one eye at a time? You'll have nice new vision [internal and external!] for the New Year!

The fan for our heat pump went out this morning. Bless their hearts, and with our gratitude for responding, the heating techs came out in the beginning of our snowstorm to try to fix the problem, driving a 4x4 truck instead of service van. But, we need a new motor, that won't be here until early next week. Until then, using a space heater in the bedroom, and the fireplace that has a certified heat insert with adjustable fan. We have had about 3" of snow so far. At this time of the afternoon it is 34 outside, but 65 in the house with the fireplace going.
Ginger

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@Gingergingerw , yes ma'am, they are doing one eye at a time. I would like to be brave and just have it all done within a week, but I am hesitant to do so. I would hate to have both eyes done around the same time, if something went awry. We shall see! ( No pun intended!)

I an so thankful for this beautiful gathering of encouragers . Cyber friends are indeed real friends. Sometimes it is easier to communicate on here than it is to interact with some of our own family. Conversely being on here helps me to communicate my true feelings to others in real time.

Now for a post dinner nap!

Mamacita

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2 replies
nancy82415 | @nancy82415 | Nov 28, 2019

It is officially Thanksgiving Day! Today is no different than any other day in my life. I count my blessings and thank GOD today as I do any other day. I am thankful for the following individuals, like I am every day...
1) My family - who have been there for me time and again. There are too many times to mention. Laughter has been a huge help to me.
2) My team of doctors and physical therapists - for never giving up and me. Providing excellent medical care. Celebrating with me during the good times and providing encouragement when I became frustrated with myself.
*Difficult Roads Often Lead to Beautiful Destinations! You sure meet some amazing individuals along the way.* It maybe a trying and stressful time but those individuals sure make the journey bearable.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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lioness | @lioness | Nov 28, 2019
In reply to @mamacita "@Gingergingerw , yes ma'am, they are doing one eye at a time. I would like to..." + (show)
@mamacita

@Gingergingerw , yes ma'am, they are doing one eye at a time. I would like to be brave and just have it all done within a week, but I am hesitant to do so. I would hate to have both eyes done around the same time, if something went awry. We shall see! ( No pun intended!)

I an so thankful for this beautiful gathering of encouragers . Cyber friends are indeed real friends. Sometimes it is easier to communicate on here than it is to interact with some of our own family. Conversely being on here helps me to communicate my true feelings to others in real time.

Now for a post dinner nap!

Mamacita

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@mamacita Back in 09 I had both my cataracts taken off the Dr did the1 week then 2 weeks later the other never regretted it I do need reading glasses but can see distance without them It was a piece of cake . You wont have any trouble just make sure you don't bend or lift anything .

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lioness | @lioness | Nov 28, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "Jane- What a relief for you! Phew. I had both of my eyes done and it's..." + (show)
@merpreb

Jane- What a relief for you! Phew. I had both of my eyes done and it's a piece of cake easy procedure!

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@merpreb Happy Thanksgiving to everyone .

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 29, 2019
In reply to @mamacita "@parus , @gingerw, @merpreb, and all of you! My eyes are a tad foggy and carpal..." + (show)
@mamacita

@parus , @gingerw, @merpreb, and all of you! My eyes are a tad foggy and carpal tunnel makes me want to stop messaging right away. But I have good news. My optic nerves are just fine. What I do have is cataracts. My surgery is scheduled for 12/28. My eyes were so dry when they tested me, I have to complete a regimen of eye drops before I can be retested. They do measurements which must be precise, in preparation for surgery.

I never thought I would be grateful for cataracts. But there are so many things that can go wrong with the optic nerves. Needless to say, I have really tightened up on my gluten free, low carb way of eating. I don't want to take anymore chances with the gift of sight. I got along with the doctor just fine. I had met a precious lady who had been dismissed by this particular opthamologist. I was a bit anxious after hearing her story.

But I just decided to go into the appointment with an open mind. I treated him like I always do when meeting a new physician. Respect and honoring their time goes a long way.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy whatever treats you make or someone else makes for you. Who else watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

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You will so enjoy your renewed vision, @mamacita! I have had both eyes done and it is really good. I'll be praying for you on the 28th. You'll enjoy the new year even more with good eyesight.

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JK | @contentandwell | Nov 30, 2019
In reply to @mamacita "@parus , @gingerw, @merpreb, and all of you! My eyes are a tad foggy and carpal..." + (show)
@mamacita

@parus , @gingerw, @merpreb, and all of you! My eyes are a tad foggy and carpal tunnel makes me want to stop messaging right away. But I have good news. My optic nerves are just fine. What I do have is cataracts. My surgery is scheduled for 12/28. My eyes were so dry when they tested me, I have to complete a regimen of eye drops before I can be retested. They do measurements which must be precise, in preparation for surgery.

I never thought I would be grateful for cataracts. But there are so many things that can go wrong with the optic nerves. Needless to say, I have really tightened up on my gluten free, low carb way of eating. I don't want to take anymore chances with the gift of sight. I got along with the doctor just fine. I had met a precious lady who had been dismissed by this particular opthamologist. I was a bit anxious after hearing her story.

But I just decided to go into the appointment with an open mind. I treated him like I always do when meeting a new physician. Respect and honoring their time goes a long way.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy whatever treats you make or someone else makes for you. Who else watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Love and light,
Mamacita Jane

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@mamacita I have had that surgery in both of my eyes, done separately. It was a piece of cake. It improved my vision and of course when they put a new lens in your eye it changes everything. Now I only need glasses for close-up, but it had gotten worse in the years since my surgery. Now my reading glasses are +2.75. Right after the surgery I think they were about +1.5.
Good luck with it, as with any surgery it will be a relief to get it over with.
JK

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1 reply
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Nov 30, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@mamacita I have had that surgery in both of my eyes, done separately. It was a..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@mamacita I have had that surgery in both of my eyes, done separately. It was a piece of cake. It improved my vision and of course when they put a new lens in your eye it changes everything. Now I only need glasses for close-up, but it had gotten worse in the years since my surgery. Now my reading glasses are +2.75. Right after the surgery I think they were about +1.5.
Good luck with it, as with any surgery it will be a relief to get it over with.
JK

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@contentandwell, congratulations! I hope my surgery goes as well as yours did. My Doctor is board certified and loved in his field. My husband and daughter both had theirs done by him. Yes, I will be so glad to have it done and get it over with. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with me. I appreciate that so much!

I hope that you have had a restful holiday and made a few memories. Ours was small, but good.

Love and light,

Mamacita

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 1, 2019

Hello All: While I just posted this message in the Loss and Grief group, I wrote about Thanksgiving Day and gratitude, so I wanted to post it here as well.

As I look back on Thanksgiving Day, I find myself thankful for my church family as well as hospice. As some of you already know, my mother passed away on the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day. She was accepted into hospice care just a few days before she died. When she began to experience the symptoms that the hospice nurse had predicted would come at the end of her life, there were comfort meds on hand that I could administer with phone directions from the hospice nursing staff. She took her final breath in her own senior apartment with me by her side rubbing her arm so that she would know I was there.

While it wasn't a typical Thanksgiving, the support of hospice and my church's staff gave me much to be thankful for. I made many calls to the nurses on-call at the hospice organization during her final minutes. After her death friends from church and my two pastors connected with me by phone to tell me of their prayers and support.

While future Thanksgivings will carry the memories of my mom's transition from this life to her heavenly home, I'm very grateful for God's mercies to her and to me. She experienced what I had prayed for, "a peaceful homegoing."

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2 replies
imallears | @imallears | Dec 1, 2019

@hopedul33350
Hello,
How very lucky she was to have you by her side. My mom died peacefully in her home on Christmas Eve with my Dad by her side. They lived in Vegas and I lived in NY at that time and still remember booking the Christmas Eve flight and arranging for the service on Christmas Day. That was over 20 years ago and now there are just funny fond memories . The fact that it was Christmas Eve has ceased to matter so time does heal.
May we all have such peaceful passings.

FL Mary

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