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.

This morning I deleted all the posts from the last two day of discussions I have been following. I am very sick with [I think] a terrible sinus infection, worst I ever had. Grateful my husband is home today and will drive me to Dr's appointment soon. Carry on, my cyber-friends!
Ginger

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@merpreb

@gingerw- aAwww. Feel better

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@merpreb Sorry I have missed out on good conversations that we all have. Cannot think to concentrate on words and ideas, definitely cannot drive safely due massive migraine.
Ginger

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@merpreb

@catmom777- When I feel guilty and angry at myself I can feel my entire body crumble, like I'm poisoning myself. In actuality there are chemicals that start pouring into our bodies that can cause a lot of damage. I don't know that letting go is the right term, but full out acceptance can help get you there. Are you ill, other than your heart that you have put 10 years on your life? I once sent the wrong email to someone that hurt them terribly, a relative. And it was based on an assumption. You can guess at the feelings that I carried for quite a while, even if I was forgiven. And of course that person won't forget it. I was in such shock that I had even written the damn thing that it took me quite a while to accept that I did send the email. I then started to feel better.

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I should have known. He'd been married before a few times and always to women who had teenaged daughters. He had been a HS coach who had to quit. Truth was that he'd been fired because of raping a girl over a long period of time and molesting other girls, but in his town the church, the police, and his friends protected him and threw the victims under the bus so the investigation was quashed and he didn't have a record. But, you are right, I have been poisoning myself out of shame and guilt, and anger too, for too many years. It's time to heal and look to the future instead of live in the past. I'm going for a heart-healthy hike here in a few minutes. Beautiful day. That helps.

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@gingerw

@merpreb Sorry I have missed out on good conversations that we all have. Cannot think to concentrate on words and ideas, definitely cannot drive safely due massive migraine.
Ginger

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@ginger. We'll all be here when you feel better. Just take care of yourself.

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@gingerw

This morning I deleted all the posts from the last two day of discussions I have been following. I am very sick with [I think] a terrible sinus infection, worst I ever had. Grateful my husband is home today and will drive me to Dr's appointment soon. Carry on, my cyber-friends!
Ginger

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@ginger hope you feel better Hate when mine act up

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@catmom777

I should have known. He'd been married before a few times and always to women who had teenaged daughters. He had been a HS coach who had to quit. Truth was that he'd been fired because of raping a girl over a long period of time and molesting other girls, but in his town the church, the police, and his friends protected him and threw the victims under the bus so the investigation was quashed and he didn't have a record. But, you are right, I have been poisoning myself out of shame and guilt, and anger too, for too many years. It's time to heal and look to the future instead of live in the past. I'm going for a heart-healthy hike here in a few minutes. Beautiful day. That helps.

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@catmom777 Glad to hear you,ve turned the corner have a great hike and if you need to see someone to talk it put but this sounds encouraging

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@catmom777

I should have known. He'd been married before a few times and always to women who had teenaged daughters. He had been a HS coach who had to quit. Truth was that he'd been fired because of raping a girl over a long period of time and molesting other girls, but in his town the church, the police, and his friends protected him and threw the victims under the bus so the investigation was quashed and he didn't have a record. But, you are right, I have been poisoning myself out of shame and guilt, and anger too, for too many years. It's time to heal and look to the future instead of live in the past. I'm going for a heart-healthy hike here in a few minutes. Beautiful day. That helps.

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@catmom777 This type of thing is so sad. Sad what it does to others. I am sad you are suffering from things of the past. Many of us here suffer as well because of the behavior of others. Some hurts cannot be healed. Accepting terrible things have happened and moving on is not an easy thing. I, for one, am still working on doing so. Grateful for those who can understand and be supportive.

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@gingerw

@merpreb Sorry I have missed out on good conversations that we all have. Cannot think to concentrate on words and ideas, definitely cannot drive safely due massive migraine.
Ginger

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Take care of yourself, @gingerw. Be well soon!

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Sorry to hear you are feeling frustrated. Pain can do that.

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