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.

@debbraw

Today I'm having trouble being grateful. I have lost my temper with my husband. I've been frustrated with chores that were undone during the holidays. I've just been a total grump. I am grateful that I still have friends! (And I'm really grateful for my cyber friends here. It's good to read what others are thankful for - especially when you are down in the dumps.

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@debbraw Give yourself permission to take a break from the stress. I know that is easier said than done, but some relaxing music might help you get past this. Sometimes expressing anger is appropriate, but then so is working through it as best you can. If I am upset, I find I have to write things down in a journal or it keeps me awake at night. If I've written down my feelings, I can move past it. Many times the person we get angry about doesn't carry those feelings, but we do and it become our own personal burden until we find a way to let it go. Just being here and expressing gratitude is helping you. Carrying stress all the time affects your health, so do it for you to let go and begin anew tomorrow. We're here for you.

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@contentandwell

@jodeej Is this yoga challenge something on Mayo? I would really like to give yoga a try.
JK

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@contentandwell I sent you a private message with the yoga challenge info.

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@debbraw

Today I'm having trouble being grateful. I have lost my temper with my husband. I've been frustrated with chores that were undone during the holidays. I've just been a total grump. I am grateful that I still have friends! (And I'm really grateful for my cyber friends here. It's good to read what others are thankful for - especially when you are down in the dumps.

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@debbraw we all have those days. Take a deep breath, get some sleep and tomorrow is a new day.

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@debbraw

Today I'm having trouble being grateful. I have lost my temper with my husband. I've been frustrated with chores that were undone during the holidays. I've just been a total grump. I am grateful that I still have friends! (And I'm really grateful for my cyber friends here. It's good to read what others are thankful for - especially when you are down in the dumps.

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@debbraw Yes, we all have those times. Hoping you rest well.

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@debbraw

Today I'm having trouble being grateful. I have lost my temper with my husband. I've been frustrated with chores that were undone during the holidays. I've just been a total grump. I am grateful that I still have friends! (And I'm really grateful for my cyber friends here. It's good to read what others are thankful for - especially when you are down in the dumps.

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@debbraw Ah, do you have a procrastinator husband, too? It's okay to let him know your expectations, and what will work for you. It's okay to let yourself feel bad, but don't stay there. An honest conversation about how you feel will do wonders for your peace of mind.
Ginger

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Today I'm grateful it's Friday!! 🙂

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Reconnecting with gratitude today...yes, it is Friday. 🙂 The weather is temperate instead of frigid. My daughter goes back to school on Monday. My injuries are healing. I have plenty to do at work, and had a couple of successes (read praise) yesterday. Going to see my sister this weekend and finally pitch in on the parents' 'apartment' - sounds like in a few weeks they'll be up here. Meanwhile Medicare is still authorizing rehab post-stroke for my mother, so praying her good side gets stronger and in the paralyzed side the swelling goes down...and that my father stays calm and reasonable (well all of us I guess). Happy New Year folks!

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I am grateful that I had a good nite sleep and no leg pain today

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Thank you all, Gratitude Connectors, I appreciate each and every comment. I loved how many of you mentioned sleep and/or rest. I think that is what got me over the hump - just a good night's sleep! I woke up today feeling more able to manage. And I have to admit to @gingerw - my husband IS a procrastinator, but it was ME, not him, that I was mad at for leaving things undone over the holidays!

So... today I am grateful for some of the very basics:
1. sleep/rest - and the ability to enjoy it and benefit from it (some people have problems sleeping or staying asleep. I don't)
2. food - when you are down in the dumps, it's important to eat whether you are hungry or not, several times a day. It keeps your blood sugar even.

Hoping all of you have good rest this evening!

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Today I am happy to have time to sew. There is a deadline to get some tote bags done for the breast cancer support group. I am grateful I was home when our neighbor came tapping at the door. He is diabetic and needed something quick because he was going into a low blood sugar issue. He knows he can count on this and he knows if we are not home he can come into the kitchen and get something that'll help him immediately. I am hoping for a decent night's sleep which has eluded me the last several days.
Ginger

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