November Challenge

A couple weeks ago, one of our Young Women spoke in church. Her topic was gratitude. She said two things that really affected me. First, she suggested that every day in November, we write a thank you letter. Now, clearly I love to write. But, letters? Well, you know how many people write letters anymore. I recently got a letter (e-mail, actually) from my son's Seminary teacher. In it, he told me what a blessing my son is in his life and how much he loves having him in class. I cried, of course. What a blessing that letter was to me. So, I'm taking the challenge to write a thank-you everyday this month. Not e-mail or text, but an honest-to-goodness, hand-written letter. Second, she told a story about a mom listening to her child's prayer and how that mom was struck by the simple things the child expressed thanks for ( I think pizza and toys were on the list). This made me think about how there are so many things in my life that I take for granted and never say thanks for. So, this month, I am going to post everyday something I am grateful for that I don't normally 'give thanks' for. I'm hoping these will help me have an 'attitude of gratitude'. Then, perhaps I can focus on what I have instead of what I lack. President Monson said it so well- "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 as one of 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." So, today I'm grateful for my DVR. Not only for the shows I can record and watch later, but because I can record kids shows and put them on for Gabe to watch while I blog and/or write on my computer. Say what you will about using the TV as a babysitter, sometimes you just have to give in, be the bad parent, and do it. (If you think of things you are thankful for, I'd love to know what they are.)