Practice Gratitude

My favorite mode of learning is from other people's examples. On Monday I was reading my little sister's weekly letter from the mission field, and I really liked this part:

"My new companion is Sister Kira Barker--and I couldn't be happier! She is always happy and I asked her how she stays so happy all the time, and she says she is just super grateful."

Super Grateful. The wheels in my mind began to turn, and I felt like I wanted to put this to the test. Although I have been taught countless times to show gratitude, it is so easy to slip into the "wo is me" attitude. I really have LOVED these past four days because I have been SO much happier and more my true self. Here are some examples of ways I have changed my thought patterns:

"I can't believe Marshall is gone again and this time I do not know when we will see each other again," to "I am so grateful Marshall has a great job that he is good at, and that we are so good at having meaningful conversations even over the phone."
"Ugh, I have to go to the rink three times to coach in one day. How am I going to get anything done at home today?" to "I love seeing my skaters and working with them, and the fact that I get to go three times today means I can ride my bike to the rink and spend more time enjoying the beautiful fall weather we have been having!"
"We have twelve days left before we get paid again and I only have this amount of money left for groceries. I hope I can make it stretch sufficiently." to "I have this much money left for groceries and I have all this food in the fridge and freezer. We are so blessed!"
"The lady we bought eggs from on a weekly basis just told me she is not selling her eggs anymore. Where are we going to buy eggs now?" to "I am so grateful for the wonderful service this lady has given us! I have been blessed by her generosity and delicious eggs. I know we will find another family who sells eggs." (side note: After only a couple of phone calls, I have lined up a new egg service to replace our former one!)

See how easy it is to switch a possibly stressful and ungrateful thought to a productive and grateful one? It is so contagious!!

The easiest way for me to practice gratitude on a daily, even hourly, basis is to smile through all things. I've noticed that I have laughed more, and for that I am grateful.

Want More Goodies?

This talk is an excellent one about having gratitude in our life. Let me know what you think!

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