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.

I am grateful (and giddy) for my daughters and grands.
Yesterday Dad took 5 yo camping with the big boys, and 2 yo stayed home with Mom, so we were able to have an adventure with "Just El." For maybe the second time in his life Elliot didn't have to "share" us with big brother. He kept switching off who he was holding hands with - always 2 people at a time, and giving equal time to each of us. The grin on his face was priceless, as was his almost constant chuckle.

All we did was walk in a nearby park, wade in the lake, play tag and eat a patio dinner at our favorite Mexican place. He got to try Elotes - Mexican corn on the cob with mayo, cheese and chili lime salt - his first bites were hilarious when it wasn't just corn and butter, but pretty soon his face was covered with the toppings and he was smacking his lips. And horchata (sweetened cinnamon/vanilla/rice drink) - he drank the WHOLE 12 ounce glass!

And I am super grateful for my nebulizer and air conditioning - my lungs are beginning to heal, I think.
Sue

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Hello to all in the Gratitude Discussion Group! It looks like the last post in this group was in July. Maybe we all need some inspiration to get back in the gratitude mode? If so, I'd like to share a blog I read today which just might provide that inspired feeling.

I would like to invite you to read a blog written by Virginia Laken. Virginia was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Dementia (MCI) a number of years ago. The diagnosis has now been changed to Alzheimer's. Over the years she has written in her blog about the changes in her life. She recently wrote this blog and she titled it, Gifts Granted. I think you will find it inspirational. I certainly did. After you read it, I would enjoy hearing your comments.
https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?e=8d0cf3f7f7&u=fa305ab2b4fe73c3449903522&id=1eb9a02ac5

What do you feel grateful for?

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@hopeful33250

Hello to all in the Gratitude Discussion Group! It looks like the last post in this group was in July. Maybe we all need some inspiration to get back in the gratitude mode? If so, I'd like to share a blog I read today which just might provide that inspired feeling.

I would like to invite you to read a blog written by Virginia Laken. Virginia was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Dementia (MCI) a number of years ago. The diagnosis has now been changed to Alzheimer's. Over the years she has written in her blog about the changes in her life. She recently wrote this blog and she titled it, Gifts Granted. I think you will find it inspirational. I certainly did. After you read it, I would enjoy hearing your comments.
https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?e=8d0cf3f7f7&u=fa305ab2b4fe73c3449903522&id=1eb9a02ac5

What do you feel grateful for?

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@hopeful33250

That’s beautiful and not sappy at all as the author said in the last paragraph. She shows an inner strength and peace that a lot are not capable of achieving. It would be a pleasure to know her.

As always I am grateful for my loving supportive family, for the good times we continue to have, for my health and the fact that both my children have loving spouses, good health , successful careers and loving grandchildren. A whole lotta loving and good fun in this family and I am blessed to be able to see them on a regular basis. I am grateful for the good humor that my family and friends have. I do realize that not all are as fortunate as I am. I’m grateful to be around good people who have a positive outlook on life in general.

And I am especially grateful that God woke me up today. 😀

FL Mary

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I just now saw this thread for the first time. I am always most grateful for my loving husband. I am really grateful for being helpful to my community. I am also grateful for the animals in my life that teach me to live in the moment, and help me recharge.

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@imallears

@hopeful33250

That’s beautiful and not sappy at all as the author said in the last paragraph. She shows an inner strength and peace that a lot are not capable of achieving. It would be a pleasure to know her.

As always I am grateful for my loving supportive family, for the good times we continue to have, for my health and the fact that both my children have loving spouses, good health , successful careers and loving grandchildren. A whole lotta loving and good fun in this family and I am blessed to be able to see them on a regular basis. I am grateful for the good humor that my family and friends have. I do realize that not all are as fortunate as I am. I’m grateful to be around good people who have a positive outlook on life in general.

And I am especially grateful that God woke me up today. 😀

FL Mary

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@hopeful33250 A good thread to revive!!! Thanks!

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@hopeful33250

Hello to all in the Gratitude Discussion Group! It looks like the last post in this group was in July. Maybe we all need some inspiration to get back in the gratitude mode? If so, I'd like to share a blog I read today which just might provide that inspired feeling.

I would like to invite you to read a blog written by Virginia Laken. Virginia was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Dementia (MCI) a number of years ago. The diagnosis has now been changed to Alzheimer's. Over the years she has written in her blog about the changes in her life. She recently wrote this blog and she titled it, Gifts Granted. I think you will find it inspirational. I certainly did. After you read it, I would enjoy hearing your comments.
https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?e=8d0cf3f7f7&u=fa305ab2b4fe73c3449903522&id=1eb9a02ac5

What do you feel grateful for?

Jump to this post

I am grateful for friends who stand by me. Grateful to "be on the right side of the dirt" today. Grateful for a chance to make a difference.
Ginger

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Interesting to see what popped into my email this morning from Dr. Amit Sood's Resilient Option website subscription for Year of Healing 2021 Day 83...

Here is your insight and suggested practice for today:
-- Insight: We can't inhale without exhaling or exhale without inhaling. Similarly, we can't give without receiving or receive without giving. It's a circle.
-- Suggested Practice: Think of the many ways you can be grateful for the help you were able to give.

Also an short audio file for the day on the site - https://www.resilientoption.com/year-of-healing

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Today I am grateful for all the skilled and caring medical practitioners - from the schedulers and wheelchair pushers to the nurses, technicians and doctors. All of them have been working, and continue to work, under incredibly difficult circumstances. Yet they do it with a kind greeting, a smile, and a sincere effort to help. I have seen and talked to many this week, and have yet to have anyone be rude, dismissive or uncaring. I am humbled, awed and grateful.
Sue

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@sueinmn

Today I am grateful for all the skilled and caring medical practitioners - from the schedulers and wheelchair pushers to the nurses, technicians and doctors. All of them have been working, and continue to work, under incredibly difficult circumstances. Yet they do it with a kind greeting, a smile, and a sincere effort to help. I have seen and talked to many this week, and have yet to have anyone be rude, dismissive or uncaring. I am humbled, awed and grateful.
Sue

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Sue, you’re so spot on! I’ve experienced the same graciousness from my medical practitioners too. They’re overwhelmed with work and understaffed and yet they remain cheerful, attentive and caring. Takes special people to be “on” all the time!

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@hopeful33250

Hello to all in the Gratitude Discussion Group! It looks like the last post in this group was in July. Maybe we all need some inspiration to get back in the gratitude mode? If so, I'd like to share a blog I read today which just might provide that inspired feeling.

I would like to invite you to read a blog written by Virginia Laken. Virginia was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Dementia (MCI) a number of years ago. The diagnosis has now been changed to Alzheimer's. Over the years she has written in her blog about the changes in her life. She recently wrote this blog and she titled it, Gifts Granted. I think you will find it inspirational. I certainly did. After you read it, I would enjoy hearing your comments.
https://us16.campaign-archive.com/?e=8d0cf3f7f7&u=fa305ab2b4fe73c3449903522&id=1eb9a02ac5

What do you feel grateful for?

Jump to this post

@migizii. On a long drive today with my sister, we played a new “car game”…….What are you grateful for from A to Z. We shared as many things as we could think of at each letter and we completed our game 6 1/2 hours later!😊❤️

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