Gratitude is merely an attitude that has the incredible power to lift burdens and lighten our lives during hard times. President Thomas S. Monson once said, “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.” For more than two years, I have been diligent in recording one thing I am especially grateful for at the end of each day. I began with writing generic things such as my family, my home, the gospel, and so on. Eventually, I noticed myself finding more specific things to be thankful for, including individual touching experiences I have with friends or family members, characteristic of the Savior that improve my life, or even simple objects that I use every day which I take for granted. Being able to pay attention to my countless blessings and express them not only in my journal, but also to my Heavenly Father helps me forget the negativity in my life and only focus on the positive experiences I have. I believe that even the hopeless, lonely, and spiritually lost souls have abounding blessings and so many things to be thankful for. Every person on earth is entitled to the blessings of the gospel simply because we already received a physical body, the gift of the atonement, and the opportunity to become something more than we are through the potential of celestial glory. I am personally extremely grateful for the Savior and the many miracles He shows me each day I choose to look for His hand in my life. I know I will never fail to find something to be grateful for because every object, person, and experience I recognize is a blessing that Heavenly Father sent to this earth just for me.
D&C 78:19- “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even a hundred fold yea, more.”
Love, Lily
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