Gratitude

I found this article by The Redheaded Hostess. It is about gratitude, and being really grateful rather than having just a feeling that you're thankful.
http://www.theredheadedhostess.com/articles/gratitude-is-not-just-about-saying-thank-you/

A lot of times, people think of gratitude as just thinking, "Oh, this is pretty cool. I'm glad about it." Really, gratitude is something that you are. In a Thanksgiving devotional by Donna Goff, (which can be purchased here: http://store.princessacademies.com/p/14/family-devotionals), she included a section from The Hiding Place. This section describes how Corrie and her sister, Betsie, were moved from one horrible situation to an even worse one. I can't even describe how horrible it was, so you'll have to look it up and read for yourself. Betsie has the quality of gratitude, and in this situation she gives thanks to God for everything in this room, including fleas.

In real life and in literature, there are many examples of gratitude. I think that if we looked at them, we wouldn't find that they are examples of gratitude not because they say thanks for the things that they like, but rather because their hearts are turned to look for the good in everything.

101 Blessings

Since it's November now, and almost Thanksgiving, I thought I'd make a list of 101 things that I'm thankful for, in no particular order. There's going to be ten sections of ten things, and an extra that I couldn't fit anywhere.

First- Gospel Truths/Principles
1. The Atonement.
2. Families can be together forever.
3. Prayer.
4. Having a living prophet today.
5. The restored gospel.
6. The Holy Spirit can guide us.
7.  The commandments.
8. The sacrament.
9. Mortal experience.
10. Heavenly Father loves and knows me.

Second- Modern Day Inventions
1. Showers.
2. The computer.
3. Heating and air conditioning systems.
4. Sinks.
5. Mass publishing systems.
7. Elf.
8. Phones.
9. Cars.
10. Trampolines.

Third- Types of People.
1. Family.
2. Friends.
3. Teachers.
4. Soldiers.
5. Librarians.
6. Store workers.
7. Neighbors.
8. Musicians.
9. Authors.
10. Inventors.

Fourth- Educational Things
1. Pencils/pens.
2. Paper.
3. Erasers.
4. Books.
5. People to discuss things with.
6. ALEKS math.
7. Post-it notes.
8. Rulers.
9. People that have taken the time to write out the multiplication table so it's easier to memorize.
10. Art supplies.

Fifth- Physical Abilities
1. Thinking.
2. Talking
3. Walking.
4. Playing music.
5. Singing.
6. Writing.
7. Sleeping.
8. Dreaming.
9. Eating.
10. Seeing.

Sixth- Music
1. Hymns/Children's Songbook
2. Les Miserables (the musical is referred to in this section, but the book is absolutely amazing.)
3. Elvis Presley.
4. Bing Crosby.
5. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
6. Frank Sinatra.
7. Piano.
8. My piano teachers.
9. Lord of the Rings musical score.
10. The ability that music has to make you feel, and to express more fully what words can only inadequately express.

Seventh- Books/Essays//Authors
1. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
2. The Law by Frederic Bastiat. (His other essays that I have read are great, as well.)
3. Louisa May Alcott.
4. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain.
5. The Constitution.
6. Animal Farm by George Orwell.
7. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
8. Shakespeare.
9. William W. Phelps.
10. Jane Austen.

I almost put the scriptures, but they don't quite feel right going with the rest of the things on that list, so I didn't put them. I am, however, very thankful for the scriptures.

Eighth- Words
1. Home.
2. Cheerful.
3. Righteousness.
4. Wisdom.
5. Love.
6.  Gladness.
7. Gloriumptious.
8. Lovely.
9. Yellow.
10. Lavender.

Ninth- Things that I've Learned
1. I've learned some about freedom.
2. I've learned some about government.
3. I've learned how to play the piano.
4. I've learned how to read.
5. I've learned about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
6. I've learned how to write.
7. I've learned some basic cooking skills.
8. I've learned about friendship.
9. I've learned about Shakespeare.
10. I've learned to be grateful.

Tenth- Miscellaneous Things
1. Shelter.
2. Food.
3. Bedding.
4. My body.
5. My pets.
6. The opportunity to gain an education.
7. Listening to my brothers and cousin play guitar.
8. Feelings.
9. Leadership Education Academy.
10. Words.



Writing down blessings is so beneficial. It leads to happiness and being content, because there is always silver lining, no matter how dark the cloud.