Happy Turkey Day to all! I love this time of year, just wish football could be a part of it. Being Thanksgiving time, these are the days when we look at what we are grateful for. President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk this last October about gratitude from which I will quote:
"We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, 'He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.'5
Gratitude is a divine principle. The Lord declared through a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things. . . .
'And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.'6
"In the Book of Mormon we are told to 'live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which [God] doth bestow upon you.'7
"Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.
"This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways.
"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that 'gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.'8
'How can we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude? President Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church, provided an answer. Said he: 'The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life.' He continued: 'Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!'9
"President Smith is telling us that a prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude.
"Do material possessions make us happy and grateful? Perhaps momentarily. However, those things which provide deep and lasting happiness and gratitude are the things which money cannot buy: our families, the gospel, good friends, our health, our abilities, the love we receive from those around us."
-(The Divine Gift
of Gratitude, President Thomas S. Monson)
Let us all remember what blessings we've been given, and express our gratitude to those who have touched our lives. And let always remember to thank our God who has provided everything that is needful.
I'm grateful for a family that loves me even for how neglegant I can be and will support through life. And for friends who have been there in times of need and accept me for who I am, regardless of how reckless I truly am. Please now if you would comment on what your greatful for.
I am grateful to be serving a mission while my wonderful grandson is also serving a mission and for this great blog you keep. I am grateful for my heritage of wonderful parents and husband and children and especially for membership in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for my family and that you are all well and safe this morning. For family and friends that make my life complete.
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