Gratitude
One way I like to express gratitude weekly is by saying what I like to call a "Gratitude Prayer." I do my best each week to say one prayer with only thank you's to my Father in Heaven. I have been so blessed in my life that I want to make sure He knows that I do not take it for granted. When I say my prayer, I do not ask for anything at all. I choose to take these moments to only show my love and appreciation for Him and to express my gratitude for the life I have.
Over the years that I have showed this small act of gratitude, I have felt more blessed in my every day life. I even see life in a more positive light. The more I thanked my Heavenly Father the more He blessed me and my life. There have even been times that I have told the Lord not to worry about blessing me and to send those blessings to someone in need. I would then tell Him that I would like to thank Him for all He has given me and done for me through the years. In those moments, He has blessed me even more. Like the Savior says in Malachi 3:10, 'He will open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.' He truly does bless those that take the time to express gratitude for the blessings He has sent. If you don't believe me, I dare you to try it.
Everyone likes being thanked. I remember my mom saying that she appreciated it when we would thank her for making us a meal. I thought, "but Moms are supposed to do that." But that wasn't her point. She did it out of love for us and it's nice to be appreciated for the hard work you put in. Same feelings apply while you are working. Everyone likes feeling appreciated for what they are striving to achieve daily. Make sure to thank those that serve you every day as well as those that serve around you.
Remember, remember to thank the Lord daily. You don't have to say a gratitude prayer every day but I am sure there is something you can always be thankful for. Even and especially on the hard days. Many times I think that my worst day could be somebody else's best day. Don't take what you have for granted. If you do, you may lose it and then it's too late. Find time in your busy day to express gratitude for the the things you have.
Questions to think about:
Have I said thank you lately? When's the last time I thanked the Lord for my blessings? Who can I show appreciation for this month? How often do I express or show my gratitude for those around me?
Family Home Evening Ideas:
Talk about the importance of expressing gratitude to those around us. Discuss why we should be thankful for our every day blessings. Make sure to convey the importance of thanking our Heavenly Father for the many blessings we have in our lives. Activity: Make a "thankful tree" to show the many things you are grateful for. You can cut out individual leaves, write something you are thankful for on each one and glue/tape it to a tree you have drawn. You could also do a "gratitude turkey" in honor of Thanksgiving. Draw a turkey or cut one out of construction paper and write on each feather something you are grateful for in your life. Challenge everyone to say a gratitude prayer that night.
Follow up from previous months:
We are to the end of the year, can you believe it?! With only 6 weeks left to complete your goals! You can do it!! Continue to find happiness and joy in your everyday. Remember that happiness is a choice. You chose to be happy or not, so start today by making a change and finding joy in your life.
