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.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 20, 2018

Today I am grateful to have been able to accomplish my 14 hr fast before extensive bloodwork this morning. Seven large tubes of blood. And then treated myself to breakfast afterward! That cup of coffee tasted so good!
Ginger

lioness | @lioness | Dec 20, 2018

In reply to @debbraw "I loved the story of @gingerw 's prayer shawl meeting. That truly sounded beautiful - especially..." + (show)

@debbraw what a good idea for the dogs but funny looking Im starting a book tonight

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 21, 2018

Today I am grateful for a mixed "bag of tricks". Next week we are going away for a few days, to scout an area for possible retirement living. And husband is excited to see some properties. Also, our holiday plans changed suddenly yesterday, in an odd way. We are being excluded from a family activity, and I am honestly approaching it in my mind. I am grateful that my husband [it is his family] sees it for what it is and has chosen to feel his feelings, not just ignore and let them fester. This is a big step for him!
Ginger

lioness | @lioness | Dec 21, 2018

Today I'm grateful I got home before dark yesterday but did to much and hurting today but grateful for our exercise class today to rejuvenate my muscles.

lioness | @lioness | Dec 21, 2018

Feel like a new person Ginger

Parus | @parus | Dec 21, 2018

Another delightful day with my grandson. So very grateful.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 21, 2018

In reply to @parus "Another delightful day with my grandson. So very grateful." + (show)

@parus
I'm sure he was delighted as well! Glad you had such a nice day😂

Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Dec 22, 2018

Today I started out feeling grateful that I had finished my Christmas cards at noon... two hours before the Post Office closed. I was able to get everything in the mail just in the nick of time. (This in spite of the fact that my printer ran out of ink last night while I was printing the Christmas letters and I had to hop up early this morning to get to the office supply store.) Anyway, that was the very last "must do" on my list. As you all know, I'd been feeling kind of overwhelmed this week. So, to kick off the start of our Christmas celebration, my husband and I went out for lunch and had an amazingly good Italian meal - lasagna for me and eggplant parmigiana for him. As we were sitting there having lunch, I really thought about how very much I have to be thankful for. I'm grateful for moments like this and memories we are making. I don't know what the future holds for my husband - or for me. There aren't any guarantees for any of us. But right now, I'm just grateful for being able to have a lovely lunch out with my husband and enjoy the moment.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 22, 2018

Today I am grateful that we crossed off several items on the "honey-do" list. I was able to sort through a couple more boxes and will have more to do in the next few weeks. But forging ahead it reminds me that I do not need more yarn, I do not need more fabric, nor do I need any more writing paper or writing instruments. Omigosh, I could almost open my own stores! But it is good to be reminded, be grateful, and have these things to go through. Tonight it is a satisfied tired in my bones.
Ginger