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.

lioness | @lioness | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@lioness- Tea with Turmeric! I have a cup after lunch. Do you have tea for breakfast?" + (show)
@merpreb

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

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@merpreb I have tea ,herbal black green anytime .I can't have coffee right away so have it later

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@parrotqueen I love that atmosphere We lived with woods on 2sides 3acres so I couldn't keep..." + (show)
@lioness

@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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@lioness This morning, as Spring nears and it is lighter earlier, I spied two deer in the open field behind us. Or, as I say "Bambis in the backfield". They have been fairly elusive this year, so far, but they do trigger the motion detector lights at night when they come through to peruse new growth in the lawn.

I am glad to see you here, and opening up that this site is helping you. You lighten the load for so many, and now it is our turn to lift you up. Is there anything in particular that has brought your cheerful self down?
Ginger

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @parus "@merpreb I did break camp yesterday and did some errands I had been lagging on. I..." + (show)
@parus

@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- Oh good! I think that we all need to shake the cobwebs out of our heads after a while. I'm going to need an industrial vacuum cleaner once I'm out and about after the virus in under control. I do care if I annoy people, in certain circumstances, certainly not when people are being rude. I have always not minced words but I hope that it is much less harsh and aggressive than when I was younger. My dad was like that. I'm very frustrated with this staying out of stores, but I really don't want to get sick. On nice days I can soak up the sun on our back deck and listen to the birds at various feeders. Our back yard abuts the woods in back of us. It's beautiful and peaceful!

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@parus, lots of cyber hugs to you, my cyber friend! I enjoyed reading your post. Yes,..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@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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@hopeful33250- I know that feeling Teresa. So much is taken up with an illness that it seems like everything feels empty after a person has passed. I know that after my mom passed away I desperately needed that "empty time". After your mourning is further along you will begin to fill in the gaps of time with something else. What would you love to do most of all, forget expense right now!

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@lioness This morning, as Spring nears and it is lighter earlier, I spied two deer in..." + (show)
@gingerw

@lioness This morning, as Spring nears and it is lighter earlier, I spied two deer in the open field behind us. Or, as I say "Bambis in the backfield". They have been fairly elusive this year, so far, but they do trigger the motion detector lights at night when they come through to peruse new growth in the lawn.

I am glad to see you here, and opening up that this site is helping you. You lighten the load for so many, and now it is our turn to lift you up. Is there anything in particular that has brought your cheerful self down?
Ginger

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@gingerw I'm better today. I was accused of saying something I didn't then got a dressing down from the manager here After I told her what I thought I felt better and everyone here has helped with there reaching out to me Parus especially 😇☕time

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4 replies
lioness | @lioness | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@parus- Oh good! I think that we all need to shake the cobwebs out of our..." + (show)
@merpreb

@parus- Oh good! I think that we all need to shake the cobwebs out of our heads after a while. I'm going to need an industrial vacuum cleaner once I'm out and about after the virus in under control. I do care if I annoy people, in certain circumstances, certainly not when people are being rude. I have always not minced words but I hope that it is much less harsh and aggressive than when I was younger. My dad was like that. I'm very frustrated with this staying out of stores, but I really don't want to get sick. On nice days I can soak up the sun on our back deck and listen to the birds at various feeders. Our back yard abuts the woods in back of us. It's beautiful and peaceful!

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@merpreb sounds peacful

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@hopeful33250- I know that feeling Teresa. So much is taken up with an illness that it..." + (show)
@merpreb

@hopeful33250- I know that feeling Teresa. So much is taken up with an illness that it seems like everything feels empty after a person has passed. I know that after my mom passed away I desperately needed that "empty time". After your mourning is further along you will begin to fill in the gaps of time with something else. What would you love to do most of all, forget expense right now!

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The month of March is the most difficult @merpreb because both my mom and I have March birthdays. So, once I get through March, I expect to be cheerier (if that is a word).

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2 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "The month of March is the most difficult @merpreb because both my mom and I have..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

The month of March is the most difficult @merpreb because both my mom and I have March birthdays. So, once I get through March, I expect to be cheerier (if that is a word).

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Good morning @hopeful33250, @merpreb. I share your March issues and into April. When is your birthday Teresa? @merpreb?

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @artscaping "Good morning @hopeful33250, @merpreb. I share your March issues and into April. When is your birthday..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good morning @hopeful33250, @merpreb. I share your March issues and into April. When is your birthday Teresa? @merpreb?

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My birthday is on March 11. I understand the April issue as well because my dad died on April 2nd.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 6, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@gingerw I'm better today. I was accused of saying something I didn't then got a dressing..." + (show)
@lioness

@gingerw I'm better today. I was accused of saying something I didn't then got a dressing down from the manager here After I told her what I thought I felt better and everyone here has helped with there reaching out to me Parus especially 😇☕time

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I'm glad you felt supported, @lioness. There is not much worse than being misunderstood.

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