Live in Thanksgiving Daily

It's November! This means the air really starts to become crisp (in my desert home, that is), and my thoughts start turning to hearth and home. I long to be with my family and I feel the pull to be a domestic queen to get my home in order for the winter. I've yet to learn that balance: full-time employee and homemaker. I must say though, I'm making progress. 

This time of year always makes me think about being more grateful. I don't know what it is, maybe that holiday that comes at the end of the month. Whatever the case, I've decided this year to make my November theme: "Live in thanksgiving daily."

See, I was remembering a strengthening marriage class that my parents took once in which they had the assignment to think no negative thoughts for a whole day. Harder than it sounds. I thought to myself, "Self, I would love to be able to do that. I would love to be one of those people of whom it is said, 'She never said an unkind thing about another person'." It's right up there with, "She never uttered a word of complaint." Now, I know I'm human and as such, I am prone to the weaknesses of the flesh. That's why this effort for effectual change will start with practicing living in thanksgiving daily. I'm focusing on more fully developing graciousness. Wish me luck! 

To help me out, I will be studying much from the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. In the meantime, I think I'll share a thought or two about gratitude and my experiment here for you all to be uplifted by as well. 

Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation and thankfulness for blessings or benefits we have received. As we cultivate a grateful attitude, we are more likely to be happy and spiritually strong. The Lord has promised, "He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious" (D&C 78:19). Gratitude is an uplifting, exalting attitude. People are generally happier when they have gratitude in their hearts. We cannot be bitter, resentful, or mean-spirited when we are grateful. 

Live with a spirit of thanksgiving and you will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life. Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.

We should be thankful for the wonderful blessings that are ours and for the tremendous opportunities we have. We can be thankful to our parents, family, friends, and teachers (and co-workers). We should express appreciation to everyone who has assisted us in any way.

We should thank our Heavenly Father for His goodness to us by acknowledging His hand in all things, thanking Him for all that He gives us, keeping His commandments, and serving others. We should especially thank Him for His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the Savior's great example, for His teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help, for His Infinite Atonement."

—See True to the Faith (2004), 78–79.

Alma 34:37-38

37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

  38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.