A few weeks ago I was asked to talk in church on my favorite conference talk. I chose "Finding Joy in the Journey" by President Thomas S. Monson. I have always loved his talks and this one was meant for me. No I am not posting my talk, but it got me thinking that one way of finding more joy is to be more thankful for everything that we have. As Thanksgiving is approaching we need to show gratitude for our blessings. This is the greatest gift we can give our Savior. He has given us everything, even eternal life. If we find the positive in the ordinary everyday things we will be happier. The following quote pretty much sums it up...
I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party
because that means I have been surrounded by friends.
I am thankful for the taxes I pay
because it means I am employed.
I am thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat.
I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need
cleaning and gutters that need fixing
because that means I have a home.
I am thankful for the spot I find at the end of the parking lot
because it means that I’m capable of walking.
I am thankful for my huge heating bill
because it means I’m warm.
I’m thankful for all the complaining I hear about our government
because it means we have freedom of speech.
I am thankful for the lady behind me in church who sings off key
because it means I can hear.
I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing
because it means my loved ones are nearby.
I am thankful for the alarm that goes off in the
early morning hours
because it means that I’m alive.
I am thankful for weariness and the aching muscles
at the end of the day
because it means I’ve been productive.
But, most of all I am Thankful for Family. It is the greatest thing that we can take with us. We need to invest our time in it. Time spent together is what builds memories. We will never look back on our lives and say gee I wish I had spent more time watching TV, Spent more time on the computer, or sitting at home doing nothing productive. Our regrets will be what we didn't do, the time we didn't spend with our children, grandchildren, parents, sisters, brothers, friends, etc. The relationships we didn't build the people we didn't get to know.
President Monson says "we need to send that note to the friend we've been neglecting; give our child a compliment and a hug; say 'I love you" more; always express our thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It's so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they're gome from our lives and we are left with feelings of "what if" and "if only."
5 comments:
Thank you for the great thoughts! Do we have permission to share them with others?
What a marvelous new look! How did you do it?
That was very nice! It amazes me how much we take for granted, and that quote really puts things into perspective. Thanks for sharing it.
P.S. I like your background.
Yes, you can share them.
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Oh is this for me? Because I blogged that i was not blessed? ha ha sometimes I feel so ungrateful and I know I am really blessed. It's just hard to keep that perspective when we live in this materialistic world. Can I copy that poem and use on my blog? I'm going to anyway. thanks.
So what I got out of this is....
Cousins are special and should spend more time together! They are the next closest thing to immediate children. I miss you and want to spend at least one day a week with you guys. I always have so much fun with you, deb, brenda and Kathy. Maybe I can have a christmas gathering this year again to see you all.
Next time I have to speak in church, I'll have to hire you to write my talk for me. I really liked the poem.
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