It's incredibly easy to get caught up in life and focus on the trials, tribulations and what's lacking and lose sight of what we do have. I read a Quote on Pinterest that said "What if you only had today what you thanked God for yesterday". If that were the case I would only have Michael, Cameron and Tommy and sometimes my mom and my sister. It's not hat I'm an ingrate, I just find it painfully easy to focus on the things that I don't have or the things I'm in want or in need of. I am so richly blessed in every aspect of my life. So then why, day after day is it so hard to recognize those blessings? I would be absolutely devastated and crushed if all of it were suddenly taken from me.
I'm trying to be better at being more grateful. Last December in our Church's
Ensign Magazine there was an article by President
Henry B. Eyering that spoke to me. I encourage all to read it!
It is
our choice to be grateful! We can choose happiness or misery. So why do we choose misery? At the end of this article is a gratitude challenge, which I tried and loved and recently I decided to retake the challenge and I'm pretty sure that every now and then I will go back and do it again.
Here's the challenge for all those who wish to participate....
I've added my answers for an inside look of my life....
By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat
Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do
it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds
like it is too many, try this:
Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
Reading, Writing,Seeing. Cooking, Baking, Teaching, Walking,
Exercising and stretching, Smelling, Hearing, Cleaning, touching and
feeling, emotions, Healthy body, able to bear children, playing with
my children, The use of all my limbs,
Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
T.V., Van, Computer, Wii, DVD player, DVD's, Dishwasher,
Microwave, Toys, Books, Couches, Table and chair, Glider, Beds,
Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
Michael, Cameron, Tommy, Mama, Papa,
Kim, (all my family really)Jesus Christ, Grandma, Judith and Howard
(Because they gave birth to Michael), Thomas Monson, (and all the
general Authorities) Pres. & Sis. Apel, Pres. And Sis. Manwaring,
all my companions and Friends I made on my mission, Briana, Alita,
Heather and all those who have made a difference in my life (too many
to count)
Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
Ur Omi, Ur Ur Omi (Paesch), Joseph
Smith, Gordon B. Hinckley (and all deceased prophets both ancient and
modern), Grandpa Bolokoski, Grandma and Grandpa Schow, Grandma and
Grandpa Koski,(I guess all the family that has gone before me), the
pioneers, Niblet,
Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
Vegetable Garden, Trees with blossoms
in the springtime, Flowers, smell of newly mowed lawn, pumpkin
patches, Mountains, the Beach, Frosted Lanscape after it has snowed,
Freshly fallen snow untouched, Animals,Butterflies, Gardens, The
different colours, Spring, Summer and Fall,
Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
Waking up, a good night's sleep, My
Family waking up, My home, Food to eat, Michael working, bills being
paid, My Family, clothing, My Foot, Kim helping out by providing
work, My Body, internet
Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.
Magrath, Bremen, Frankfurt,
Mainz-Kastel, Koln, Darmstadt, Disneyland,Cardston, Nobleford,
Calgary,Columbia, Anaheim,
Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
Television., Movies and Movie
theatres, Dishwasher, Vehicles, Baby Monitors, Airplanes, Video
Games, Car Seats, Refrigerater, Oven and Stove, Microwave, Electric
Lawn Mower, Swing Sets, Phones and Cell phones, iPhone/iPod,
Electricity, indoor heating, indoor plumbing,
Write 10 foods you are grateful for.
Blueberries, Raspberries, Cherries,
Apples, Watermelon, Canteloupe, Mandarines, Grapes, Fruit Salad,
Chicken, Beef, Peas, Carrots, Celery, Cheese, Bacon, Baked
goods,(Cookies, Brownies, Squares, Cake, Muffins, Fruit Crisps) Whip
Cream, Ice Cream, Hamburger and Fries, Pizza, Turkey Dinner, Rotkohl,
Klosse, Rouladen, Cucumber salad, Candy, Chocolate, chips, Potatoes
and Gravy, Pancake Breakfast, Juice, Rootbeer, Salad,
Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.
Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, Holy
Ghost, Chapel, Temple, Prophets, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and
Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Bible, Prayer, Ward, Families are
Forever, The Atonement, Ward activities, Standards, Repentance, Hope,
Church Programs, callings,
When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100
doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has
given us.
