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.

rosegold | @rosegold | Dec 2, 2018

It is nice to live in the moment. You do not think of anything else.I will do some baking too. I love to bake.🙂

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Parus | @parus | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @jodeej "Today I am thankful that my husband feels well enough to go out and clear snow...." + (show)
@jodeej

Today I am thankful that my husband feels well enough to go out and clear snow. We are at the Gift of Life in Rochester and he's currently clearing off all the cars in the parking of the house. Lol

I am also thankful for our friends that are taking care of our dogs while we are here. They got stuck in snow trying to get to our house, but still made it!

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@jodeej Thank you sharing!! Placed a smile upon my heart!

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @gingerw "Today I am thankful for being able to participate in Rose Parade float decorating for the..." + (show)
@gingerw

Today I am thankful for being able to participate in Rose Parade float decorating for the Donate Life float. My hands cooperated, allowing me to cut stems off cobra leaves and statice petals off their flower. As always, we met several very neat people, got to see behind the scenes once again, and talked to other volunteers about their lives. The forecast storm has held off for now, a plus for those cleaning up debris from the last one.
Ginger

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@gingerw So cool! It is fun and a lot of work working on Rose Parade floats. I used to live in Southern CA, and I volunteered and worked on some Rose Parade floats a few days before New Years. It was pretty cold in the tent and working into the night is tiring, but it was wonderful and everything smelled wonderful with all the flowers. It's interesting to see the creativity and all of that up close. Seeing the floats after the parade is fun too. Good memories for me. I'll think of you when I watch the parade in a few weeks.

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Parus | @parus | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @lioness "@Im grateful today my Daughter in law is picking me up to go to there place..." + (show)
@lioness

@im grateful today my Daughter in law is picking me up to go to there place and see them my grandson played a drum solo at our Thanksgiving talent show it was so good what everyone did they put it on you tube .Im grateful for all of them.

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@lioness How wonderful!! My oldest son dropped in and this boosted my mood. I made a it of chili.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @parus "@lioness How wonderful!! My oldest son dropped in and this boosted my mood. I made a..." + (show)
@parus

@lioness How wonderful!! My oldest son dropped in and this boosted my mood. I made a it of chili.

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@parus thats wonderful Its an energy day then .

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @parus "Pumpkin Rolls are my “special” contribution for some. I also do sugar cookies. I would like..." + (show)
@parus

Pumpkin Rolls are my “special” contribution for some. I also do sugar cookies. I would like to do them with the grandkids, but there is not hardly enough room here for me to bake. I am thankful I can once again do some baking. I tend to turn sugar cookies into works of art. May not get that creative in the kitchen this year.

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I can just imagine your sugar cookies are works of art, @parus! Did you ever make a gingerbread house?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @debbraw "Today I am grateful that my husband helps me so much - with small things and..." + (show)
@debbraw

Today I am grateful that my husband helps me so much - with small things and more substantial ones. He really takes joy in helping. We set up a big fountain in the backyard last year and the dang thing has to be drained and washed every month or so - or else the pump clogs up. Today is the day... and I really, especially appreciate my husband's help with this undertaking.

@gingerw - Thanks for describing the Rhythm of the Heart float. I will definitely look for it on Jan 1 and think of you! @jodeej -Please post a photo when you and your grandson make the snowman!! Does he live nearby or come to visit? @cjtimmerman - I really liked your explanation of your other Gratitude Circle and I'm glad you have joined us here! @parus - what are you baking? Between your comment and @lioness baking bread pudding and biscuits, I'm getting inspired to fill my house with aromas! Hope you all have a great day.

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Yes, I agree. This talk is inspirational! @parus, what is a pumpkin roll like? Is it like sponge-cake with a pumpkin creme filling?

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "I can just imagine your sugar cookies are works of art, @parus! Did you ever make..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

I can just imagine your sugar cookies are works of art, @parus! Did you ever make a gingerbread house?

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@Parus you are a good artist I wonder the same thing Gingerbread house?

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 2, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Yes, I agree. This talk is inspirational! @parus, what is a pumpkin roll like? Is it..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Yes, I agree. This talk is inspirational! @parus, what is a pumpkin roll like? Is it like sponge-cake with a pumpkin creme filling?

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@hopeful33250 Oooh, no, Don't talk like that! I have the after dinner sweet search on my mind! Time for a [boring!] cuppa tea....
Ginger

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Dec 3, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Yes, I agree. This talk is inspirational! @parus, what is a pumpkin roll like? Is it..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Yes, I agree. This talk is inspirational! @parus, what is a pumpkin roll like? Is it like sponge-cake with a pumpkin creme filling?

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@hopeful33250 Many, many moons past now. An adventure with my now adult children. A pumpkin roll is a sponge cake. The cake is pumpkin spice and the filling is cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar. I learned they are even better after frozen! 3 now in the freezer. My eldest son stopped by yesterday arriving to this aroma. I assuaged him with a bowl of mom's chili. He is approximately 6'8" and has to duck to not hit his head on the top of the doorway. I so enjoy unannounced visits!!!!!

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