What is a virtual TALK and CONNECT?

AARP-GA provides an opportunity for us to TALK and CONNECT as we celebrate Military Appreciation Month.

Angela M. Odom, a leadership coach will facilitate this one hour online event using a a fun-filled, light hearted approach. 

Ground Rules

1. No whining or complaining. This is not a gripe session; it’s a light-hearted talk and connect session during the global pandemic. 

2.Because sex, religion and politics tend to elicit strong emotions, we’re simply going to side step them today.

3. Be Kind. You have zero idea what other people are dealing with.

4. Don’t hold us hostage to your stories. Give others an opportunity to talk. We’ve only carved out 1 hour for this virtual talk and connect session.

5. We’re going to take pictures of the screen and record this session. Be sure to take yourself off camera as appropriate.

6. Mute your microphone when you’re not talking. This will help decrease the background distractions.

7. Multi-tasking is a myth. Choose to do something positive for yourself today; participate fully in the experience.

How Does It Work?

Start promptly at the top of the hour with introductions, purpose and ground rules

Angela M. Odom, the facilitator will move from topic to topic.

You have the opportunity to start a 6 minute or so discussion with our participants. Remember the ground rules.

Listen for the timer. When you here the timer its time to switch to another topic.

Angela will have back up topics if you don't have a topic to discuss (sometimes folks are shy)  

Participants will wrap up the Talk and Connect with gratitude. Because of the large group you can use the chat. 

Jil Hinds, AARP-GA Associate State Director, Veterans Outreach will provide closing remarks

Back Up Topics

What military technique, tactic, experience do you find useful during these unprecedented times?

Who are you looking to you for strength?

What supplies are you still finding difficult to obtain?

Have you altered any vacation plans because of the coronavirus?

Keeping in mind that this is family show; have you heard any good jokes?

Are you coming out of these unprecedented times wealthy, or broke?

Are you coming out of this pandemic 30 pounds heavier or 10 pounds lighter?

Are you coming out of this pandemic deep in love or single?

What are some binge-worthy tv series?

What’s on your mind?

Gratitude: 

Research shows that gratitude leads to happiness.

Gratitude according to R.C. Soloman in the foreword to the book, The Psychology of Gratitude, “is one of the most neglected emotions and one of the most underestimated of virtues.”

Given everything that’s happening in the world, and the instability and fear that many of us feel, there is no better time than now to stop and give thanks for all that is good.

We need to continually remind ourselves of the importance of incorporating gratitude into our stream of consciousness, and remember that even if it seems as if we’ve hit rock bottom, there is always hope that we will come out on the other side.

Regardless of how you feel psychologically, you might want to consider writing a letter of gratitude to someone who you are grateful for.

Studies have shown that the mere act of thanking someone can be good for your health.

For example, a study done in The Journal of Happiness (2012) found that those who wrote letters of gratitude over a three-week period were happier, had greater life satisfaction, and had less incidence of depressive symptoms.