Gratitude

This time of year is always a special one.  It is a time where we forget ourselves and focus on those around us.  Gratitude, the Savior, goal setting, service, and love fill our hearts.  We are surrounded by family, friends, music and all of the good things in life.  It isn’t surprising that so many people love this time of year, yet it is sad to see what has become of many of these holidays.

Thanksgiving began by those who would have seemed to have little to be thankful for.  They had made more graves than huts.  Things weren’t looking good, yet they set aside a day of thanksgiving.  We too are in a time where sometimes it doesn’t seem like there is much to be thankful for.  The economy isn’t looking good, it seems like more and more of our rights are being taken away, the family is being attacked on all fronts and good is being called evil and evil good.

Yet we of all people have the most to be grateful for.  I could spend the next few hours making a list of everything I am thankful for, but I’m sure you are thankful that I am not.  If you think for a moment about those around you that are the happiest, you will think of  someone that is grateful.  Gratitude is the best attitude.  On the flip side those that tend to get on my nerves the most are people who are always wining and complaining.  

There is no greater difference between men than between grateful and ungrateful people.  ~R.H. Blyth

I think that too often we get complacent, or are so used to having the things that we have that we forget how great they are.  Indoor plumbing, heaters, computers, music, clean water, a warm bed, grocery stores, I could go on and on.  We are so lucky to live in the time and place that we do.

Life is short, treat every day like it is your last.  Tell people how great they are, tell them that you care, thank them for what they have done for you.  Why do we keep these things in so often?  Why can’t we just tell people how we really feel?  A simple thing like, talking to you is the highlight of my day, thanks for being my friend and listening to me.

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.  ~G.B. Stern

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.  ~Robert Brault

Today at church we were challenged to say a prayer of gratitude.  I feel like I don’t do this enough.  God has given us so much and without him we are nothing.  If it has been a while I would invite you to do this, it is always such a humbling experience.  Some of the times I have felt God’s love the most are when I remember to thank him.

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.  ~Meister Eckhart

As this holiday season goes by way to fast, take time to pause, reflect, and focus on what is truly important.  I love you all and am so grateful for all that you have done for me.  I am grateful for an amazing family and for the faith that they have even in tough situations.  I hope that I can be a little more thankful and when those hard days come, and they do come, that I can have an attitude of gratitude.


Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture.  ~Kak Sri

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson