For example, at one point during these last few days, I was deep in the "doldrums" so to speak, driving home, and I was seriously doubting things could get much more miserable... then I hit a cat.
So all in all, I was a mess.
Well, this morning I woke up to General Conference and I got a chance to listen to our prophet, Thomas S. Monson speak. And that was exactly what I needed. He spoke about how easy it is to, in our world today, see all of the negative things around us. Because there's a boat-load of them. (I'm paraphrasing.) However, we need to flip that around and take a look at all of our blessings. Because there's even more of those. President Monson said to be sure not to discount even the small, seemingly trivial blessings. And by doing this, we can find even greater happiness.
Well, after hearing that, obviously I couldn't continue being a downer and decided that today I would make a list of my blessings. And since I type better than I can write, I'm going to do that here. Now, this list might turn out to be quite extensive, or maybe not, I don't know, but there's no reason for you to feel obligated to read it if it does. This for me more than for you. Sorry.
Alright, I'll get started now.
Blessings:
"I am thankful for..."
1. My whole physical body.
2. My health.
3. My family... each and every member of it.
4. My home.
5. My close, best friends.
6. My other friends, that sometimes I might not appreciate as much...
7. My education.
8. The 4-H program. (Don't know where I'd be without it.)
9. My teachers/leaders through the church, youth court, 4-H, and all the other programs I'm in.
10. The Young Women's program.
11. Technology.
12. Christ's atonement.
13. Our prophet and his apostles.
14. And all other church leaders and those who make it all possible.
15. Missionaries.
16. This country that I live in.
17. The freedoms and privileges that I have.
18. Music.
19. The ability to drive;vehicles to drive.
20. My teeth.
21. Safety and security.
22. My horse.
23. My reindeer.
24. The opportunity I have to hold a job.
25. My camera and photography.
26. Our military.
27. My older brother Donny who serves in the military.
28. My older sister Stacy who's my example and friend.
29. The ability to feel sadness sometimes so I can appreciate happiness.
30. The opportunity I'll have to go to college.
31. The opportunity I had to be born into this church.
32. The scriptures.
33. The hours of practice that helped me to learn piano.
34. Alaska.
35. The mountains.
36. Books.
37. Jessie.
38. Running water.
39. Electricity.
40. Warmth.
41. The fact that I never have to go hungry.
42. The fact that I always have clothes to wear.
43. Both my parents - even if I might sometimes think otherwise.
44. The ability to communicate to people I love who are far away.
45. Prayer.
46. My Heavenly Father.
47. This opportunity to be here on earth.
48. Good humor and laughter.
49. My cowboy boots.
50. The knowledge I have of right and wrong.
51. The Holy Ghost.
52. The time I have to spend with the people I love.
53. Memories.
54. My patriarchal blessing.
55. The priesthood.
56. Callings in the church that I've held.
57. Girls Camp and the lessons I've learned there.
58. My free agency.
59. The mistakes I've made, so now I know better.
60. The chance I have to work towards Eternal Salvation.
61. The temple.
62. The opportunities to do service.
63. The times I've been served by others.
64. My decision to be baptized.
65. Comfort.
66. The knowledge that I have a brother, Jesus, who loved me so much he allowed himself to suffer and then be crucified for my faults.
67. Children.
68. The chance I'll have to be a mother, whether here or after.
69. Sunshine.
70. Being able to reach many of my goals.
71. Doctors, firefighters, police officers, and others who keep us safe.
72. The fall season.
73. Peanut butter.
74. General Conference and what I can learn from it.
I'm going to stop there for now. Looking at the list, my thoughts definitely aren't in any order, so you'll have to forgive me for that. Or just deal with it. I was just trying to get all of those little things that I sometimes don't think of.
Well, I think I'm done here for today. I'm going to go listen to the next session of Conference...
___________________
Song of the Day: For the First Time- Boyce Avenue
