Gratitude

Last year, a friend and I heard about an organization called A Complaint Free World. It's a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating complaining in the world. We decided to participate and ordered bracelets from the website, acomplaintfreeworld.org. The program is as follows. You put on the bracelet (whichever arm you choose is fine). Then every time you complain, you have to switch the bracelet to the other arm. The point, obviously, is to make you aware of the behavior and to try and change it. The goal is to make it for 21 full days, the time they say it takes to form a habit, without having to switch the bracelet to the other arm. Needless to say, it isn't an easy task. I kept in on for a while, switching it from arm to arm. Then I just wore it, telling myself it was a reminder not to complain. Then I just stopped wearing it at all.

Today, I was reminded of the goal as I was preparing my lesson for Relief Society on gratitude. I realized I just gave up without really trying. And so I decided to put it back on. I've only talked to one person since I put it on a few hours ago, a friend and fellow law student here in the building, and already I've had to switch it to the other arm. HMMM!  So, I have a new goal, not just to wear the bracelet, but to be aware of my attitude about my life, school, being the Relief Society President and people who aren't voting my way :). (That's a shout out to all my friends voting for McCain. I'll stop complaining about it. At least you are voting.)

I don't just want to stop complaining, however. I want to do something more than that.  I want to be grateful. As I was preparing my lesson, I came across this thought, from J. Reuben Clark. He said, "Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them." In the spirit of this Thanksgiving season, I want to improve upon my own level of gratitude. With that in mind, I have many things to be grateful for.

First, I'm thankful for my testimony of Jesus Christ. This is the center of my life and my being, and I am so grateful to know of His life, His love, His example and ultimately, His atonement. The gospel enriches my life in every aspect. 

Second, I'm grateful for my parents who taught me the gospel and who have always supported and encourage me in the things I do. I can't think of two people who are more supportive and loving. And along with the best parents in the world, I have the best siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews in the world. My brothers are awesome. I could go on forever about what good people they are. They are kind and good and smart, and they work hard. My sister is one of my best and closest friends. She is brave and kind and a great mom. My siblings married some wonderful people that I am so grateful to call friends. And I must brag and say that they also have the cutest children in the world. I always look forward to seeing my nieces and nephews.

I've also been abundantly blessed with friends. I've lived in several places. I've been lucky to make friends at work, church and school. I don't know what I would have done without them. We've travelled together, played together, cried together, supported each other. I feel really really lucky to have so many people to call friends.

And the last two things I'm so thankful for? School and travel. I've learned so much from both. I'm super lucky because I've been able to travel and see a lot of places. I've been lucky enough to not just graduate from college with my bachelors, I've also now had the opportunity to attend graduate school. 

Now if you've made it to the end of this long post, thanks!  Thanks for being a friend to me!