I'm thankful for...............

In Relief Society we had a great lesson on finding Joy and Happiness in our lives Here is a great talk by our prophet Thomas S. Monson. I just put bits and pieces that I liked in this.

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

“You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays"

There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today.Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”3 We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”4

“These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”5

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.

“Do … human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?”
Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings.

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”6

“Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.”

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

In closing, I pray that all of us will reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die?

He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved.

I am thankful for my mother who has taught me everything that I am today. She taught me my values and beliefs. She taught me to cook, clean, and take care of children. She taught me that you can get through trials and there is a better tomorrow. I love her. I am thankful for Jake and the love he shows me. He is such a hard worker and a worthy priesthood holder. I am thankful that he can see all the good in me, especially when I can't. He truly is my greatest friend and only love. I am thankful to be sealed to him and my children. I'm thankful for Shyann and Saydee who inspire me everyday. I love to watch them grow and learn. Every moment truly is a treasure. I am so thankful for Jake's family. Amy is like a sister to me, I love all of her ideas and styles. She got me interested in Hello Kitty and making bows. Jean you are like a father to me. Mine died 10 years ago and I just love how much you seem to care for me. Spring, thanks for all of those delicious recipes and for taking the time to see how we all feel. You truly are a great mother. Mandy, Jason, Chris,Tammy, Holly, Chad, Jon, and Ben. Thanks for being so close to me and talking to me. You make me feel like family. I'm thankful for my siblings and family. Charity, I love you different goal and your desire to make life the fullest even if everything doesn't seem to be right. Brandon, you are so wonderful for my sister. Take care of her. Ben and Ryan, I love to watch you grow and see you wonderful personalities evolve into something truly worth bringing in to the future. Tony, thanks for being a companion to my mother and a father to me when I had none. I'm thankful for sunshine, nature, snow, oceans. laughter, innocence, faith, hope, Jesus Christ, books, shelter, food, rain, flowers, coats, mittens, school, computers, phones, temples, the gospel, to be a missionary, heavenly father, prayers, trees, animals, trials and disappointments, weaknesses, strengths, family, toys, art, good media, prophets, leaders, teachers, warmth, a bed, the list goes on and on...........