was it just me, or did the month of November pass by way too quickly. i felt like i missed the opportunity to really reflect on what I was truly grateful for. so...I am proposing a plan, that is to "cultivate a grateful heart."
In the Book of Matthew in the Bible, there is an account of gratitude, as an expression of the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness for 3 days, more than 4,000 people followed Him. Christ took compassion on them, as they probably hadn't eaten for those three days. (read Matthew15:32-38). Christ showed that gratitude always proceeds the miracle. And in my life, as I "try alittle harder, to be alittle better," I realized, that I want to make gratitude the pattern of my life.
Some things to be grateful for....
:: be grateful to awake by the cry of a baby, because s/he's healthy, and depends on you to live.
:: be grateful for the clothes that fit too snug because it means you have enough food to eat.
:: be grateful for the monthly rent bill because it means you have a shelter from the storms.
:: be grateful for the mess after a party, because it means you were surrounded by friends
:: be grateful for the days that we physically suffer as women because it means we can have children
:: be grateful for laundry because it means you have more than enough clothes to wear.
:: be grateful for the utility bill because that means you have a warm home, and light to see
:: be grateful for the parking spot furtherest away from the store, because it means you can walk.
:: be grateful for tuition because it means you get to earn an education
:: be grateful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning because that means you are alive.
must-read talks
"The Diving Gift of Gratitude" President Monson
"Think to Thank" President Monson
"An Attitude of Gratitude"
challenge:
record 1000 things i'm grateful for in 6 months: end each day w/ 5 blessings in a journal
write 1-2 handwritten notes a week: this means cultivate a thankful heart and minister to others, we often to too much for granted, but how often do we take people for granted also.
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| "We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to all of those, past and present, who have given so much of themselves that we might have so much for ourselves. Take things with gratitude rather than for granted." --President Monson, "Doubt Not--Dear Not," BYU Commencement '03 |
Some things to be grateful for....
:: be grateful to awake by the cry of a baby, because s/he's healthy, and depends on you to live.
:: be grateful for the clothes that fit too snug because it means you have enough food to eat.
:: be grateful for the monthly rent bill because it means you have a shelter from the storms.
:: be grateful for the mess after a party, because it means you were surrounded by friends
:: be grateful for the days that we physically suffer as women because it means we can have children
:: be grateful for laundry because it means you have more than enough clothes to wear.
:: be grateful for the utility bill because that means you have a warm home, and light to see
:: be grateful for the parking spot furtherest away from the store, because it means you can walk.
:: be grateful for tuition because it means you get to earn an education
:: be grateful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning because that means you are alive.
must-read talks
"The Diving Gift of Gratitude" President Monson
"Think to Thank" President Monson
"An Attitude of Gratitude"
challenge:
record 1000 things i'm grateful for in 6 months: end each day w/ 5 blessings in a journal
write 1-2 handwritten notes a week: this means cultivate a thankful heart and minister to others, we often to too much for granted, but how often do we take people for granted also.
I like the twist on the gratitude list. It's easy to come up with the things that we are grateful for that benefit us but those things we don't like,such as the alarm clock in hte morning (that would be mine) it's harder to see why we would be grateful for it. Thanks for the push to see all the great things of life
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