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.

Grateful to have the energy/strength to organize my kitchen cabinets. Now warming my insides with a cup of peppermint tea. Cold here today. Very cold indeed after temperatures in the 50’s.

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@parus

Grateful to have the energy/strength to organize my kitchen cabinets. Now warming my insides with a cup of peppermint tea. Cold here today. Very cold indeed after temperatures in the 50’s.

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@parus I rember those days it's been in the 60,s here but lots of Sunshine

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Today I am grateful to look out the window at Mt. Baldy and see snow a long way away, where I won't be traveling to! The rain they called for has not materialized, but they say it will be here this weekend. I am grateful to my Prayer Shawl Ministry group for having faith in me to organize their books and paperwork for accountability. I am very grateful that I did not go by the fabric and yarn store today and take advantage of the last couple of days of a nice sale, because I don't need more yarn nor more fabric! I am just grateful today.
Ginger

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@lioness

@parus I rember those days it's been in the 60,s here but lots of Sunshine

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@lioness Still spending time with Don?

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My Kiwanis Club is having a Character Breakfast for preschoolers that is like the Disney Character breakfast where there are people dressed as pirates, superheroes, princesses, etc. who wander through the crowds to entertain the little ones as they enjoy their brunch foods. Last year, it was a sell-out with 250+ tickets sold and we hope this year will be just as successful. I have worked my heart out on having signs printed, helping with decorations, etc. Today, I was out delivering flyers and brochures to the day care centers around town. After I dropped off my last flyers, I drove by an antique store and decided to stop in and have a look. I had my eye out for Christmas dishes that might be on sale after the holiday. I didn't find any, but I did find a gorgeous set of 11 champagne flutes. (Obviously, one was broken from an original set of 12, but who cares.) I bought the whole 11-piece set for $21.30! What a happy surprise that was. I could say I was grateful but it was more like pure, childlike joy about the treat I had gotten. It was as if somehow the universe had rewarded me personally! I am still smiling.

OH JK @contentandwell - interesting that your son is in Denver. Mine moved there a couple of years ago from Raleigh, NC. His wife is from there. I love visiting!

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Oh, PS: @parus - I was impressed about your kitchen cabinet organization. Now I must follow in your footsteps in order to have room to put my champagne flutes in the cabinets. LOL!

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I have great news today.... I just got a nice email from my surgeon congratulating me and thanking me for telling my story. It's my story of using my creativity to overcome my fear of surgery with my art work. He saved my talent, and I painted his portrait for him after I recovered. Read the story on the Sharing Mayo Clinic blog https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/

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@jenniferhunter

I have great news today.... I just got a nice email from my surgeon congratulating me and thanking me for telling my story. It's my story of using my creativity to overcome my fear of surgery with my art work. He saved my talent, and I painted his portrait for him after I recovered. Read the story on the Sharing Mayo Clinic blog https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/

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What a wonderful article, @jenniferhunter ! You shared more than your art work, you also shared your heart! Thanks for being with us on Connect. I'm proud of you!

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@hopeful33250

What a wonderful article, @jenniferhunter ! You shared more than your art work, you also shared your heart! Thanks for being with us on Connect. I'm proud of you!

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@hopeful33250 Thank you so much. I learned a lot about myself and feel compelled to share that with others who connect with the story. We all have fears, but there are not that many stories out there about overcoming it. It's very nice to be appreciated and welcomed. You have touched me with your kind words and I am grateful.

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