grateful

this past sunday, in relief society, we were taught of the importance of being grateful in all circumstances.  not just when times are good.  not just when times are bad.  but in all times.  always. 

i needed this lesson.  i had toyed with the idea of not going to church at all on sunday.  so grateful i went.  it was truly what i needed to hear.  i rarely share with those around me what is going on in my life.  i tend to be a pretty private person.  that isn't healthy.  we are all dealing with something.  none of us gets off scot-free without going through trials and difficulties.  for some the trials are short-lived and for others the trials may last for years or even a lifetime.

the lesson was on President Uchtdorf's talk from april 2014 general conference, 'Grateful in Any Circumstances'.  he states that we all have something to be grateful for, regardless of the difficulties we experience.  so true.  just take a minute to think of things you're grateful for.  it may be hard at first, but as we switch our mentality from one where we dwell on the bad to one where we dwell on the good, it becomes easier and easier.  not to mention healthier.  does this make the difficulties go away?  no, but it can make them easier to handle.  at least it does for me. 

gratitude is a choice.  it's not something you just get.  but, like anything rewarding, if you choose to be grateful, it pays off big time.  gratitude helps us in our relationships.  our jobs.  our health.  it helps to strengthen our testimony and exercise hope and faith.  

i encourage you to make a list of your blessings and things you're grateful for.  just like the song, 'count your many blessings', you may be surprised to see 'what the Lord hath done' for you in your life.

i choose to be grateful.  

grateful for the ability to be artistic, use my imagination, and create.  

grateful to enjoy the beauty of nature in four seasons.  

grateful to work.

grateful for temporal blessings.

even more grateful for spiritual blessings.

grateful for fulfilling relationships.

grateful to learn.

grateful for my testimony.

grateful for the knowledge that even though i don't have children, i am still important and loved.  oftentimes, i feel that not having had children makes me less of a woman somehow and that is so NOT the case.  infertility has such a negative stigma.  it's difficult when people won't talk with you about it outright, especially if they are talking about you with other people.  it shouldn't be that way.  it is important to be kind, since you never know the struggles that others face.

today, i am grateful for my mother heart.  i am grateful for my desire to be a mother.  

today, that is enough.

if you'd like to read or listen to Pres. Uchtdorf's talk, please click here.  

i would highly recommend it, especially if you're currently struggling.