When you have a gratitude attitude...November 15th

It has been interesting, this whole "gratitude every day" gig. I have noticed that I have been looking for things that I am grateful for. I guess, unfortunately, I am not usually a very grateful or thankful person. Not to say that I am not grateful for anything, but I guess I am not constantly thinking about it. I say the few normal things everyday in my prayers, and then I move on and I don't think about it for the rest of the day. How could I have been so blind or reluctant to acknowledge what I have been given? Now, though, I find myself thinking all day about what I am grateful for. It is like a ripple effect. You start thinking of one thing and then you start thinking of more. Each thing makes you think of something else you are grateful for. It has been a wonderful experience thus far, and I truly feel blessed, and not only do I feel blessed, but I feel excited to find more things that create this awesome sense of gratitude in my heart. I know over the ages one may find many a quote referencing to the importance of a gracious spirit and thankful heart, and I am not the first person to discover it, nor will I be the last, but I am truly thankful to have unearthed it in myself. Today, I was trying to think of one thing I am grateful for, and I have just come to the conclusion that I am just Thankful in general today. I am truly blessed in every facet of my life. There is nothing that I want for in my life. I may feel greedy at times, and think that I deserve something or that I "need" something, but I don't. I have the Spirit, and knowledge of the Spirit. I have a loving family, which includes so many more than those who just live with me. I have friends. I have clothes and food and water and shelter! The list goes on and on and on. It is endless. I could write one thing down for the rest of my life and never lack for something new to be grateful for. In my heart, I feel so badly for not recognizing the things I have been given. I have a new ambition to keep these feelings and this new version of me, the thankful one, alive. I truly hope that I can. I also hope that I can teach my children to be thankful. It makes life seem a little more rose colored, and who couldn't use a little more of that in their life? In my humble opinion, I think everyone could use something that helps them see how truly good their life is. I am not just saying that gratitude makes you think that things are good when they aren't, I am saying that gratitude makes you see the things that are good and great even though, before applying it, things may have looked a bit grimmer. It helps us shed a negative outlook and put on a positive one. By sharing with one another what we are thankful for, we strengthen one another and help one another see the blessings we have. What are you thankful for?