Gratitude

Sometimes there is nothing better than gratitude to get your mind in a happier, better state- so here goes- although some of these things may have saddness or other negative emotions that could be wrapped up in them- I am really going to focus on the Gratitude part.

1. My father- in-law passed away this week. I am so filled with gratitude for his part in making my husband the man he is today. He was a man that loved his family and believed in working hard. My husband today has those same values.

2. Today my family had family home evening and I was filled with gratitude that this was a habit we started years ago. Although it may not be "traditional" it gives us an arena to talk about things that need talking about. If we hadn't started this tradition years ago I don't think it would be something that we would be starting now. So I'm also filled with gratitude for counsel of church leaders in encouragaing families to hold family home evening - and grateful that we had the sense to heed it.

3. I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to take my Dad out to dinner yesterday. He was having a really good day and I'm glad we could be part of it. It was a day early but we celebrated his 77th birthday. I'm thankful that he's had a long healthy life and has been quite instrumental in making me the person I am today.

4. I'm grateful for realizing today that sometimes when you are having financial difficulties it's not because you've done something wrong or were greedy or overspending- sometimes life is just like that. We've had medical bills, and car problems and visiting sick parents that have added up- it had discouraged me but I was able to realize that although we are not perfect at how we spend our money, we hadn't really done anything wrong. So I just need to make sure I don't let the situation overwhelm me to the part where I feel like I should quit trying.

5. I'm grateful for the change of the seasons- I love fall- I have often said it is in the fall that I feel "most like myself"

6. Grateful for good friends and family- although I sometimes have a hard time opening up- I have no doubt that I have people that truly care.

From Brainyquote.com:

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie

The world is a better place when in all things gratitude can be found.

And so it goes...