The Power of Gratitude

As I sit down to write my thoughts, I am drawn to the power of gratitude. Perhaps it is that Thanksgiving is near or just that my heart is full of gratitude for the people and things that have made a difference in my life.

At the end of last week, I watched a short video by Russell M. Nelson about the power of gratitude. One line in the video caught my particular attention. He said, “I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems.” While our world and lives have many problems, we all have many more blessings. (To watch the video (1) President Russell M. Nelson on the Healing Power of Gratitude​ - YouTube). Focusing on our blessings provides a healing balm for all of our worries.

This year Thanksgiving will be spent with my wonderful wife and children. No travel. No in-person visits with other family members. No get-togethers. No turkey (the boys wanted gourmet pizza instead).

I am extremely grateful for wonderful parents and grandparents who helped point me in the right direction and provided great examples of hard work, sacrifice, obedience and love.  

I am grateful for where I grew up. My childhood neighborhood was and is filled with great people who looked out for each other, loved one another and found ways to help each other.

I am grateful for my teachers who encouraged learning and unlocked imagination and creativity. As well as professors who pointed me to areas I could excel.

I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with talents and abilities and provided a way to return to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for a wife who loves me unconditionally and is far better than I deserve. She makes want to be and to be a better person.

I am grateful for my children. Their agency can make life challenging at times but with the sorrow, they also bring joy and I love them.

I am grateful for my business and wonderful clients who let me share my talents and insight with them. I am truly grateful for them.

I am grateful for friends and community. While my closest friends are many miles away, I am grateful to have them in my life and for the part they play.

I am grateful for my country and the freedoms I enjoy.

I am grateful for my ancestors – from those who were at the first Thanksgiving to those who later left the countries they loved to find a place where they could gather.

The list goes on and on.
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The past few days have had some real challenges in them for me. Practicing gratitude, even in this simple writing, has made me feel better. Gratitude really does have the power to heal.