Sherri's thoughts on Gratitude!
Gratitude!?
It must be a spiritual truth because I get teary just thinking about it!
But since I am sitting her by myself at 5am, I will do my best to pull myself together and write my thoughts!
As always I have loved reading the thoughts of Debbie, Kristina, and Craig! I just want to say THANK YOU ... and add my own.."Amen!", "Amen", and "Amen"!
I am truly THANKFUL for my siblings who bless my life everyday!!
When Craig first asked us to write our thoughts on Gratitude, I thought to myself...Gratitude is a GIFT! For some it's a TALENT!
It's not easy for some to find Gratitude, which was vocalized by my little 7 year old daughter, Annika. In her own sweet words, she tried to express her struggle to be grateful. It's not that she doesn't try, in fact, she has to try extra hard, because it doesn't come easily to her. My heart ached as I typed her sincere thoughts. For I had not recognized this struggle, or at least I hadn't internalized it. (Now looking back I can see her struggle...and thankful for this challenge, which brought it to my attention, so I may help her!) It's interesting that at the young age of 7 she is able to recognize this!
Then I thought about Luke, who is one who exposes weaknesses in himself and then tirelessly works to make them strengths! I remember a few years back, when he struggled to see JOY in anything...I would tell him that it's ALL about HIS ATTITUDE! He has worked hard on his attitude, often coming to me for advise. Through his own words, I can see and feel his constant and conscious efforts to adjust his attitude. As I typed his own words, I was thrilled to hear that at the TERRIBLE gym he was able to find 2 funny kids to enjoy! I immediately envisioned him hanging out with his 2 new friends, most likely his age, throwing the football or playing a game of basketball! I was shocked to learn that his 2 new funny friends were a 1 year old baby who spits all the time, and a young girl! I could now clearly see that his options were limited and he had to make a choice, be miserable or find a way to enjoy the company that he had. His attitude didn't change the fact that the gym is "boring", but it allowed him to enjoy himself despite the "terrible" conditions!
Then there was Brady, who is much like myself! Love all....therefore full of gratitude...and in return has happiness!
Like Brady I believe that the Lord gave me Gratitude as a talent. However, I have strong memories of being a young girl and committing to myself to find JOY in everything! I can remember consciously working on my attitude. I avoided negative thoughts the same way I tried to avoid evil, mostly because I viewed them as evil, something that was trying to destroy my happiness!
My kids today will ask me how to get a swear word out of their mind? My response is, pray, sing, quote scriptures or uplifting quotes! When they ask me how to change their attitude, I tell them the same exact method! Don't dwell on the negative and if it WON'T leave you alone, remove it with prayer, singing, or scriptures! These thoughts are poison to our minds, souls, and lives! I have learned through practice to not allow them to be present! I am thankful for Pollyanna's inspiration as a little girl, she may have been fiction, but I believed her attitude was a real achievable item!
We are learning a new gratitude quote each day this month and then we practice them on the way to school. I have watched the kids mouth them during different situations! :) As I read Chelsea's thoughts on gratitude...I couldn't help but smile to see that she has really worked hard to grasp a hold on a THANKFUL heart!
Some of my favorite of the quotes are....
If you want to find Happiness, find Gratitude!
Start Everyday off with a Grateful heart!
What if you woke up today only with what you thanked the Lord for yesterday!"
Gratitude Changes Everything!
Gratitude turns what you have into Enough!
Now Let's look at the opposites of these...I love opposites...it exposes the harsh truth!
What would life be without GRATITUDE!
If you want to find sadness, find something wrong with today!
Start everyday off with an angry heart!
What if you woke today, with all the problems you focused on yesterday?
Anger changes everything!
Jealous turns what you have into nothing!
Gratitude is an eternal Christlike attribute. Seek after it with all the energies you posses! Teach your kids....first by example, and second through gentle guidance to find happiness through gratitude! Keep a gratitude journal (via Debbie), Take time to make a list of the GOOD IN TODAY (via Kristina), pray for assistance, and it will come here a little there a little! (via Craig)
The Lord is knocking, open the invitation to let him in, he is the Ultimate Master, and will lead YOU...first by his example...and second with gentle guidance!!!
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posted by Craig Conover @ 9:33 AM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
I love that you took the time to type out your children's thoughts! That alone shows the importance you place on the gospel in your home. And it is definitely evident through their thoughts. Thank you for your inspiring words as well!
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