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.

Gratitude is the fine line that divides us from heaven

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@debraw I haven't posted lately but I had such a rough day I need to.Im grateful for where I live in a senior building and not on the street like so many.I feel better thanks for this blog

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I have a little tiny house on a big city lot very close to a big forest with the city not far in the other direction. I love where I live, too, Lioness. I am so grateful I can live here. My garden is heaven to me. Like you, I am happy to not be homeless.

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Okay y'all. I do want to clarify that I have not been caught up in self-pity. I have not been into socializing. I have been channeling my energies more towards creativity. When in this mode I use it to the full advantage. I do the essentials and have discipline in this area. I am by nature a solitary person and can be selfish with my time. Complacency has it's upside and a downside as @merpreb and @hopeful33250 pointed out to "me" that possibly I have become too comfy in my own world and even a bit too self-centered. By pointing this out to me I took a closer look and realized I was (and still doing so) becoming too comfortable with having chronic pain and even to some degree nurturing my own complacency. I think there is a fine line between complacency and selfishness (on my level). Something for me to ponder.
I am grateful for many things. I read comments by others that I have come to know through this community. I hear some discouragement in @lioness who has always been encouraging and an active participant in the community. I know she is helped by helping others and now she needs some encouragement with current hurdles. Many here are hanging in there with you and even for you when we can.
The gratitude discussion is my favorite and had not seen much activity as of late.
I will do my best to stop in more regularly as we all need one another.
@hopeful33250 Approaching sappy and I now have one foot on my soapbox. Yes, my neck is requesting I move on to something else. I was oft told I was a pain in the neck-had no idea what that really meant. Grinning and rising up to meet the day with a touch more fire in my attitude.
WE ARE ALL IMPORTANT TO SOMEONE!

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@lioness

@debraw I haven't posted lately but I had such a rough day I need to.Im grateful for where I live in a senior building and not on the street like so many.I feel better thanks for this blog

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@lioness I have been lagging as well. I am grateful you are doing better. Cyber hug.

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@merpreb

@parus- I'm always here if you need me. I try and oblige as best as I can my friend. Feeling better today? Get out and walk. Smile at people. l tend to smile a lot and get a lot of smiles in return. That makes me feel so warm and happy, even if I don't know these strangers. Do you need anything else today? xxoo

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@merpreb I did break camp yesterday and did some errands I had been lagging on. I do smile a lot as well. It helps me even when I am here by myself. I have never met a stranger and start up conversations regularly when out and about. Do I care if I annoy someone who is impatient and rude?? NOPE!!
So how are you my partner in not mincing words??

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@parus

Okay y'all. I do want to clarify that I have not been caught up in self-pity. I have not been into socializing. I have been channeling my energies more towards creativity. When in this mode I use it to the full advantage. I do the essentials and have discipline in this area. I am by nature a solitary person and can be selfish with my time. Complacency has it's upside and a downside as @merpreb and @hopeful33250 pointed out to "me" that possibly I have become too comfy in my own world and even a bit too self-centered. By pointing this out to me I took a closer look and realized I was (and still doing so) becoming too comfortable with having chronic pain and even to some degree nurturing my own complacency. I think there is a fine line between complacency and selfishness (on my level). Something for me to ponder.
I am grateful for many things. I read comments by others that I have come to know through this community. I hear some discouragement in @lioness who has always been encouraging and an active participant in the community. I know she is helped by helping others and now she needs some encouragement with current hurdles. Many here are hanging in there with you and even for you when we can.
The gratitude discussion is my favorite and had not seen much activity as of late.
I will do my best to stop in more regularly as we all need one another.
@hopeful33250 Approaching sappy and I now have one foot on my soapbox. Yes, my neck is requesting I move on to something else. I was oft told I was a pain in the neck-had no idea what that really meant. Grinning and rising up to meet the day with a touch more fire in my attitude.
WE ARE ALL IMPORTANT TO SOMEONE!

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@parus, lots of cyber hugs to you, my cyber friend! I enjoyed reading your post.

Yes, I also can become very comfortable all by myself as well. I can pick up a book or watch a movie but it doesn't work well for me over the long haul. Since my mom passed away on Thanksgiving day I've been struggling to get back to whatever "normal" is. Last year was taken up with trying to figure out how to help her so I'm coming up with lots of time now (but not that much energy) and working at figuring out what to do with it. I probably need to learn a craft - that works so well for you.
As you well know, I have no problem with "sappy" so keep it coming!

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@parus Thank you parus I needed your comforting words today. I am a solitary person as well and enjoy being by myself yesterday is gone onward and
upward cyber hugs to you also 😍 having my cup of tea ☕

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@lioness

@parus Thank you parus I needed your comforting words today. I am a solitary person as well and enjoy being by myself yesterday is gone onward and
upward cyber hugs to you also 😍 having my cup of tea ☕

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@lioness- Tea with Turmeric! I have a cup after lunch. Do you have tea for breakfast?

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@parrotqueen

I have a little tiny house on a big city lot very close to a big forest with the city not far in the other direction. I love where I live, too, Lioness. I am so grateful I can live here. My garden is heaven to me. Like you, I am happy to not be homeless.

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@parrotqueen I love that atmosphere We lived with woods on 2sides 3acres so I couldn't keep up when husband passed so sold it but miss being near woods 😢

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