Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor
@debbraw
@debbraw
Posts: 1210
Joined: Dec 04, 2017
Gratitude Discussion Group
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?!
Funcountess
@funcountess
@funcountess
Posts: 347
Joined: Jun 03, 2018
@funcountess It is about a 2 hr drive to the coast, I think. We plan to take a few days and go camping there when restrictions are lifted. I crochet, quilt, and practice Zentangle [was certified as a teacher last year].
The towns of Ojai and Solvang are only a little familiar to me. Just never felt the draw since I lived/grew up so close. @lioness I hope you get to Pea Soup Andersen. But there is a little local restaurant across the street called Mother Hubbard's that has much better food. You won't find ableskivers except in Solvang itself, at the Danish restaurant on Copenhagen Drive. @contentandwell, there are three bakeries I can think of in that area that might have made those muffins.
@parus Isn't it funny how things get placed on our priority list in these times? I'm glad you found what you were looking for!
@mamacita I am grateful to see you posting here! We have missed you so much and know that there is a lot going on in your life right now. Hope to see you back here soon.
Ginger
Ginger, I just finished dinner, and now I am drooling for some baked goods from Solvang.
Some of the bakeries closed up the last time I was there. Maybe it was off season for them.
Guess I will settle for a couple of Pepperidge Farm cookies.
I used to knit, and do needlepoint, but have not touched it in years. Now it’s art work.
I like anything water based.
2 hours away, you are really inland.
Do you miss the,beautiful flowers in Lompoc?
Did you ever drive up to Ballard? And all the back winding roads.
Now for my regular store bought cookie.
Funcountess
Liked by GailBL, Volunteer Mentor, JK, Alumna Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@gingerw
@gingerw
Posts: 3592
Joined: Jul 26, 2018
Ginger, I just finished dinner, and now I am drooling for some baked goods from Solvang.
Some of the bakeries closed up the last time I was there. Maybe it was off season for them.
Guess I will settle for a couple of Pepperidge Farm cookies.
I used to knit, and do needlepoint, but have not touched it in years. Now it’s art work.
I like anything water based.
2 hours away, you are really inland.
Do you miss the,beautiful flowers in Lompoc?
Did you ever drive up to Ballard? And all the back winding roads.
Now for my regular store bought cookie.
Funcountess
@funcountess I appreciated the natural beauty in that area, and as someone tuned into colors, loved the variety and shades in one color that occurred by nature. I did a quilted wall-hanging that used 14 shades of sunrise in it, in individual pieces. Called "Fan Tango at Dawn"; it was inspired by the Santa Ynez Valley winter sunrises. On topic, I am very grateful for the time spent and lived in the area. I lived in Lompoc for 4+ years. Drove many back roads. Lots of memories, thanks.
Ginger
Liked by GailBL, Volunteer Mentor, lioness
lioness
@lioness
@lioness
Posts: 7626
Joined: Jan 09, 2018
@gingerw Your quilt sounds lovely can you put a picture on line Id love to see it I admire people that can quilt closest I came to it was knotting one we started in our church group. take care be safe
Liked by GailBL, Volunteer Mentor
lioness
@lioness
@lioness
Posts: 7626
Joined: Jan 09, 2018
robbie1956
@robbie1956
@robbie1956
Posts: 131
Joined: Apr 30, 2020
Thanks for this blog site…I am grateful for all of these discussion sites at the Mayo Clinic….it eases the isolation a great deal….my wife is better at this than I am…..I am most grateful for her…..and grateful for the people on this site.
Liked by Amanda Burnett, Connect Moderator, JK, Alumna Mentor, Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor, Leonard ... see all
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@gingerw
@gingerw
Posts: 3592
Joined: Jul 26, 2018
Today I am grateful for a hard-working young man. I had asked someone who advertised on our local Facebook page to quote me on doing some yardwork. He stated he would come by, but never did, even after I reminded him. Next I turned to an old [than me!] couple around the corner, figuring Frank would know of someone. Immediately a young man showed up at our house, ready to start work. Frank had told him what to charge, E told me, but when I showed him the first job, I raised the pay higher. He showed up this morning and did an awesome job clearing a 20' x 20' sloping bed of blackberry jungle. We discovered some huge retaining boulders, and a few other oddball things. He worked until it started raining, and will come back to finish removing all the roots. He came to work, and work hard he did! We will be using him some more, no doubt about it. As a senior in high school, there are not a lot of jobs around here. We are grateful to him, our neighbors, and his guardians who have taught him the value of a good day's work.
Ginger
Liked by Jim, Volunteer Mentor, JK, Alumna Mentor, Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor, lioness ... see all
Mamacita, Alumna Mentor
@mamacita
@mamacita
Posts: 1037
Joined: Oct 13, 2016
@gingerw , I am grateful for a hardworking next door neighbor, her son, and her grandson.
Together they planted the most beautiful flower bed in my backyard. They also planted the vegetable plants I purchased from Lowe's.
My sweet husband was able to enjoy their efforts very much. He had just been home from a very long hospital stay. The growing life right there before his eyes was very motivating.
We anticipate a bit of rain every day this week. So, perhaps I will not have to water quite so much, if at all.
It's also nice to sit outside and listen to the birds. I never appreciated them as I do now.
I hope everyone has a lovely day.
Oh….Almost forgot. I am grateful for all of you.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor, Jim, Volunteer Mentor, JK, Alumna Mentor, Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor ... see all
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
@hopeful33250
@hopeful33250
Posts: 10723
Joined: Mar 28, 2016
@gingerw , I am grateful for a hardworking next door neighbor, her son, and her grandson.
Together they planted the most beautiful flower bed in my backyard. They also planted the vegetable plants I purchased from Lowe's.
My sweet husband was able to enjoy their efforts very much. He had just been home from a very long hospital stay. The growing life right there before his eyes was very motivating.
We anticipate a bit of rain every day this week. So, perhaps I will not have to water quite so much, if at all.
It's also nice to sit outside and listen to the birds. I never appreciated them as I do now.
I hope everyone has a lovely day.
Oh….Almost forgot. I am grateful for all of you.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane
And we are most grateful for you, @mamacita. So glad that your husband is on the mend. How is your daughter doing? (If you posted about her previously, I must have missed it.)
Liked by lioness
JK, Alumna Mentor
@contentandwell
@contentandwell
Posts: 6464
Joined: Feb 18, 2017
@gingerw , I am grateful for a hardworking next door neighbor, her son, and her grandson.
Together they planted the most beautiful flower bed in my backyard. They also planted the vegetable plants I purchased from Lowe's.
My sweet husband was able to enjoy their efforts very much. He had just been home from a very long hospital stay. The growing life right there before his eyes was very motivating.
We anticipate a bit of rain every day this week. So, perhaps I will not have to water quite so much, if at all.
It's also nice to sit outside and listen to the birds. I never appreciated them as I do now.
I hope everyone has a lovely day.
Oh….Almost forgot. I am grateful for all of you.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane
@mamacita I'm happy to hear that your husband is now home. You and he have been through a lot, hopefully all will improve now.
That's so nice that your neighbors planted a garden for you. I could use neighbors like that!
JK
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
@gingerw
@gingerw
Posts: 3592
Joined: Jul 26, 2018
@gingerw , I am grateful for a hardworking next door neighbor, her son, and her grandson.
Together they planted the most beautiful flower bed in my backyard. They also planted the vegetable plants I purchased from Lowe's.
My sweet husband was able to enjoy their efforts very much. He had just been home from a very long hospital stay. The growing life right there before his eyes was very motivating.
We anticipate a bit of rain every day this week. So, perhaps I will not have to water quite so much, if at all.
It's also nice to sit outside and listen to the birds. I never appreciated them as I do now.
I hope everyone has a lovely day.
Oh….Almost forgot. I am grateful for all of you.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane
@mamacita So good to see you here! Wow, you certainly deserve those neighbors, you have done so much for others. How that must have made you feel good, and seeing the color will be so cheerful, too!
Glad to hear your husband is home, perhaps you both will be able to sit outside and listen to the rain?
Come back soon again,
Ginger
Liked by imallears
imallears
@imallears
@imallears
Posts: 863
Joined: Feb 27, 2019
@gingerw , I am grateful for a hardworking next door neighbor, her son, and her grandson.
Together they planted the most beautiful flower bed in my backyard. They also planted the vegetable plants I purchased from Lowe's.
My sweet husband was able to enjoy their efforts very much. He had just been home from a very long hospital stay. The growing life right there before his eyes was very motivating.
We anticipate a bit of rain every day this week. So, perhaps I will not have to water quite so much, if at all.
It's also nice to sit outside and listen to the birds. I never appreciated them as I do now.
I hope everyone has a lovely day.
Oh….Almost forgot. I am grateful for all of you.
Love and light,
Mamacita Jane
@mamacita
Hello,
You sound like the most loving and sweet spirited person ever. It’s no surprise your neighbors rallied around you. Your positive outlook and acceptance has apparently made a different in the lives of your family and friends. It’s very uplifting reading your posts
and a lesson to all in facing adversity. I would be more grateful if you were my neighbor🙂
FL Mary
Liked by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor
Leonard
@jakedduck1
@jakedduck1
Posts: 2467
Joined: Mar 24, 2018
🌈FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!!🌈
Although this day seemed like it would never come the day I have been waiting for has arrived at last.
I have hit my weight loss goal of losing 90 pounds after 2 years or maybe slightly more.
So, I get to start munching away on my congratulatory gift to myself, my 👀5 pound👀
😋Hershey bar.🤪🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫
Oh what a GLORIOUS day this is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JK, Alumna Mentor
@contentandwell
@contentandwell
Posts: 6464
Joined: Feb 18, 2017
🌈FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!!🌈
Although this day seemed like it would never come the day I have been waiting for has arrived at last.
I have hit my weight loss goal of losing 90 pounds after 2 years or maybe slightly more.
So, I get to start munching away on my congratulatory gift to myself, my 👀5 pound👀
😋Hershey bar.🤪🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫
Oh what a GLORIOUS day this is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, @jakedduck1 That's a huge accomplishment. Don't put it all back by going too crazy with your candy though. I cannot imagine how you managed to lose that much weight while eating candy!
JK
Liked by Leonard
Funcountess
@funcountess
@funcountess
Posts: 347
Joined: Jun 03, 2018
🌈FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!! FINALLY!!!🌈
Although this day seemed like it would never come the day I have been waiting for has arrived at last.
I have hit my weight loss goal of losing 90 pounds after 2 years or maybe slightly more.
So, I get to start munching away on my congratulatory gift to myself, my 👀5 pound👀
😋Hershey bar.🤪🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫 👅 🍫
Oh what a GLORIOUS day this is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How did you lose 90 pounds? You like to eat, and are not a fan of walking, so what’s the secret?
Also, no such thing as a 5 pound Hershey bar, unless you own the candy company, but doubt that since you are north central Ca., and Hershey is in Hershey,pa.
The only thing I can figure out is you took the CONCRETE out of your shoes.
Take care,
Funcountess
Liked by JK, Alumna Mentor
@lioness
@gingerw thanks I remember Copenhagen Drive .
Liked by JK, Alumna Mentor, Ginger, Volunteer Mentor