Give Thanks

Here is a week's worth of great talks on cultivating Gratitude in our lives. Oh, do I need these! I'm hoping these will help me turn my attitude around. I thought I'd share in case you need an extra boost too.

Wednesday: Gratitude as a Saving Principle--James E. Faust

Thursday: An Attitude of Gratitude--President Thomas S. Monson

Friday: Remembrance and Gratitude--Henry B. Eyring

Saturday: Gratitude: A Path to Happiness--Bonnie D. Parkin

Sunday: Were There Not Ten Cleansed?--David B. Haight

Monday: Give Thanks in All Things--Dallin H. Oaks

Tuesday: Think to Thank--Thomas S. Monson

Wednesday:



Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving! Eat up.

Then Sings My Soul: Becoming

Sometimes I need to be reminded that I am capable of feeling.

I don't know if it is a byproduct of this phase of life (the caring

and worrying about someone other than yourself phase) or if

it's just me, but I find it quite difficult to be introspective. There

are always things to do and stuff to fill my time. Couple that

with the fact that my face-to-face time with people includes talking

to a baby, a husband and occasionally the checker at the goodwill or

the grocery store. All of whom like me because they have to. (I

recognize they also like me because I'm pleasant to be around more often

than not.) However, this doesn't provide me with a whole lot of motivation

to change or improve. It may sound pathetic but it's true.

When I was single everything was introspective. I rarely thought about anyone

else. Every emotion I felt led to either self-deprecation or a big helping of "I'm

better than everyone else in the world." I was constantly evaluating who I was

and where I was headed. And in retrospect, it was all dramatic!

Sometimes dramatic is necessary. Actually, I miss it desperately. I have found that I have to be so much more intentional in order to make change happen now. The other day I had an "aha moment", as Oprah would call it, when I watched a video post about a woman who lost her 2-year-old daughter. My heart broke and I sobbed like a baby. And then I determined to change for the better. To love more. Emotion was buzzing through my body. I was feeling again! Although it seems strange to me to find such catharsis in someone else's grief and sadness, it was the kickstart I needed. I'm a believer that The Spirit teaches us what we need to learn only when we're ready to listen. And this prepared me to listen. So I've decided that for this space in time all I can think to do is keep watching these video shorts. Because my spirit responds. It responds by telling me I need to focus less on just being and more on becoming. Becoming for me, not anyone else.

So if you happen to need a little spiritual pick-me-up (and a good sob) watch on.

More video shorts here under the tab Ripple Effect.

And this talk on teaching children (and people) to become is so rich with incite.

Then Sings my Soul Sunday: Sarcasm

I'm challenging my young women's class to leave sarcasm at the door on Sunday.
However this will most likely be more of a challenge for my, although improving, sarcastic vernacular.
I love this quote from Gordon B. Hinckley,

"Everywhere is heard the snide remark, the sarcastic gibe, the cutting down of associates. Sadly, these are too often the essence of our conversation. In our homes, wives weep and children finally give up under the barrage of criticism leveled by husbands and fathers. Criticism is the forerunner of divorce, the cultivator of rebellion, sometimes a catalyst that leads to failure...I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we “accentuate the positive.” I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort."

I want my home and my presence to be better than just "everywhere." I want people to leave with elevated thoughts after associating with me.

Sarcasm is however part of our common language. It is often how we relate to one another.

What place does sarcasm have in our lives, if any?