Gratitude . . .

"We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way.

Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don't overlook it."

Author Unknown

Gratitude is a funny little thing, many times people often forget to have gratitude! During the past week, I have rediscovered gratitude for the little things! It all started last week . . . I began a process of deep reflection about myself, my life, etc.

Part of that deep reflection I pulled out all the journals I have with me. It was fun to read through them, and at times a little embarrassing, especially my h.s. and college journals! Oh boy!! The things I thought were problems but weren't, the things I took to heart that I should have truly taken with a grain of salt!

However, in rereading the journals, I found one that I started 5 years earlier to the day that I picked it up to read it. I only had four or 5 entries in it, and I felt really sheepish with the last entry being exactly 5 years ago. This journal was inspired to be started by two friends! The first was my friend Karina who was on her mission at the time, and the second was my friend Rachel who was my one dear friend in Las Vegas. They both had mentioned finding things to be grateful for and keeping a journal daily of the things I was grateful for . . . hence the embarrassment that this idea died off after 4 or 5 entries. After reading my entries, I picked up a pen and decided to start if again! Finding gratitude in the big blessings, the small things, and the tiny actions of people in my life!!

As the week continued, I found that while I don't have everything I want or need, I sure do have a lot of blessings!! We all have different blessings. I discovered big things that I yearned for when really I should appreciate what I have. Such as being hung up on number of kids, really at least I have a beautiful, happy, healthy, fun child, while others were still hoping for marriage, a child, or other wonderful blessings. My life is not perfect and it may not be where I want it to be, but I still have lots of blessings! I am grateful for friends who lovingly pointed out as I complained about what I was missing that at least I do have other things.

Not only was I retaught I do have things to be grateful for , but I realized how important it is that you are grateful for the things other people do, and to also express that appreciation. There is nothing worse than doing your best and feeling like you are doing something good, to only have all your efforts thrown in your face by the imperfections being pointed out to you. It seems like we'd get a lot further in the world if we could appreciate what others do, and just find the good! Life would be much more productive, better relationships would be formed, and truly our hearts would simply be happier! On that same token, we shouldn't seek other's gratitude for our actions, do things to be nice, not to GET gratitude.

I just hope that I can remember the lessons I learned this week! I hope I can remember to be grateful for the minuet to gigantic blessings in my life, and to show gratitude to others for every thing they do! Cease seeking perfection or expecting them to live up to what I think is the correct way! We'd all be so much happier!

Here is to GRATITUDE! We all have many things to be grateful for and people to be grateful too! Life nor people will ever be perfect, appreciate what you have and what they give!!

"Make it a habit to tell people thank you.

To express your appreciation,

sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.

Truly appreciate those around you,

and you'll soon find many others around you.

Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it."

Ralph Marston