Thank you

Today I bought a package of thank you cards and it got me thinking.

I thought about the many things I'm thankful for. I thought about the many people who have touched my life in a positive way; who have lifted and supported me when I was weak; who have seen my unspoken needs and met them; who have set examples I'll never forget.

I decided to read President Thomas S. Monson's October 2010 General Conference address entitled, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude."

President Monson said:

"This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways.
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 sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."

Sometimes, I become hung-up on the things that are going wrong in my life. I dwell on the negative, despite the many wonderful blessings and people I'm surrounded by.

As I was reading, I began thinking of ways I could better express my gratitude. Even more than six months after the fact, the Spirit has a way of teaching me through the words of God's prophets.

"Joseph F. Smith, sixth President of the Church, provided an answer. Said he: “The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life.” He continued: “Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!”

President Smith is telling us that a prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude."

Prayer is the answer. 

"My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

I could use a touch of heaven.

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given me so much. For a Savior who died that I might live again ... and not just alone, but with my family; with the people I love and hold dearest.

I highly recommend reading, re-reading or listening to President Monson's remarks.