New Beginnings-Be Grateful

I love the thought of a new year. A new chance to set goals. Something I have been really trying to work on for the past few years is being grateful! I have way too many journals and unfortunately a lot of them are probably filled with not very useful information and a lot of venting. One year I decided to begin each entry with something I was grateful for, and you know what??  my ill feelings were usually gone before I could even write them. I feel like I have had several little experiences and personal things happen this past year or two that have opened my eyes so much. I feel ashamed at how often I forget to just "Be Grateful." It's definitely something I really have to work on daily. But I know that when I am able to truly have a heart full of gratitude I am so much happier and my problems seem so insignificant.

Enjoy some of my favorite gratitude quotes and this really neat video. What a great example of making the best of their situation.

http://www.upworthy.com/watch-the-first-54-seconds-that-s-all-i-ask-you-ll-be-hooked-after-that-i-swear?g=2&c=reccon1


We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within ourselves an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

"The habit of saying thank you is the mark of an educated man or woman," he affirmed. "Walk with gratitude in your hearts, my dear friends. Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours. Be grateful for the tremendous opportunities that you have. Be thankful to your parents.... Say thank you to your friends. Say thank you to your teachers. Express appreciation to everyone who does you a favor or assists you in any way.

"Thank the Lord for His goodness to you. Thank the Almighty for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who has done for you what none other in all this world could do."

IT IS NOT HAPPY PEOPLE WHO ARE THANKFUL. IT IS THANKFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE HAPPY

“Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

“Be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, be prayerful.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley, Way To Be!: 9 Rules For Living The Good Life

If the only prayer you said your entire life was "thank you" that would suffice.

Expect nothing. Appreciate everything.