Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thanksgiving ...All Year

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Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and appreciate the many blessings we have recieved.  But let's not forget these feelings of gratitude when the season is over.  We need to learn to live in DAILY thanksgiving.

We cannot be bitter, resentful, or mean-spirited when we are grateful.

President Monson said, "While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right.  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.  If ingratitude be numbered among the serious of sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

Elder Wirthlin adds this, "Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character.  We like to be around those who are grateful.  They tend to brighten all around them.  They make others feel better about themselves.  They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable."

How can we get ourselves in the habit of daily gratitude?  Elder Wirthlin suggests three things:

1.  Open our eyes.  See the beauty of this world.
2.  Open our hearts.  Let go of negative emotions and self-pity
3.  Open our arms.  When was the last time you reached out to someone in need?

The Lord said, "He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious."

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