Danna's Pondering Pad: An Attitude of Gratitude

Saturday, November 26, 2011

An Attitude of Gratitude

My sister, Katie, once posted this quote by Neal A. Maxwell on her blog: "Deliberately cultivate a certain resilient and glad spirit, so that even when you are in the midst of a pressure situation you can smile and have an upbeat manner." It hit right on what I have been pondering on lately: gratitude. Maybe because it's November! (But it shouldn't be a passing quality of study!)

I believe (or know) I haven't mastered the divine attribute of gratitude. But it's one, like Katie, that I too covet. How beautiful it would be to be found with a grateful heart at all times. How much more humble I would be. How much less I would think of self. How much more I would want to give. How much more my heart would consistently swell with wonder and awe at the greatness of God. How much greater would be my focus and my capacity to love.

Here's a question: To truly love God and man with all our heart, might, mind, and soul, must our hearts first be filled with gratitude? And to be filled with gratitude, must it be accompanied with reverence? It seems so.

I was touched by an insight my mom shared with me on Sunday. She said that in her sacrament meeting a man pointed out in the story about the healing of the ten lepers (Luke 17:12-19) that they were all healed physically but only one was healed spiritually and emotionally as well as physically. It was because of his gratitude that he was made whole--freed from the weight of emotional and spiritual sorrows and pain.

Is gratitude the great healer, when we receive all things with thankfulness? This story suggests so as does D&C 78:19: "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious."

It's definitely something to covet and work toward.

Originally posted November 18, 2009.

Hi there! Welcome to my pondering pad! "Why do I blog?" you may ask. Well, let me tell you! :) I believe we all have similarities in the human experience because we're mere mortals. Because of our heavenly roots, a desire is within us to want to be better. Yet, the Lord did not intend for us to do it alone. The Lord wants us to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light" (Mos. 18:8) & to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, & strengthen the feeble knees" (D&C 81:5). We need help & strength from each other. We need to know we aren't alone. Therefore, I share thoughts, feelings, and experiences that perhaps you might find commonality, strength, courage, & comfort to your own trials. So come, let us sup at the Lord's table together that we may find solutions in and through Him, for He is good & mighty to save!

"The Lord warned the first generation of Latter-day Saints to 'beware concerning yourselves' (D&C 84:43). I seek to remind each of us of the mortal susceptibilities and devilish diversions that can unite to produce our spiritual downfall. . . . Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong. . . . He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses."
--Dallin H. Oaks, October Ensign 1994

"My dear brothers and sisters, don't get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don't feel downcast or despair if you don't feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible--and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"We ought to say in our hearts, let God judge between me and thee, but as for me, I will forgive. I want to say to you that Latter-day Saints who harbor a feeling of unforgiveness in their souls are more guilty and more censurable than the one who has sinned against them. . . . 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' This is the spirit that Latter-day Saints ought to possess all the day long. The man who has that spirit in his heart and keeps it there will never have any trouble with his neighbor."
--Joseph F. Smith

"It was the Savior who left the ninety and nine to go out and find the one. Now we are obsessed with the ninety and nine, and we are not very much concerned with the one. But the ninety and nine will go along pretty well. They don't need a lot of attention. I don't mean to suggest that you don't do your duty toward them, but it is the one that we need to help. . . . They are worth saving and bringing back. Do you know who they are? Have you identified them? Start with that step. And then put them to work. No man or woman will grow in this Church unless he or she is busy and has something to do."
--Gordon B. Hinckley

"None of us will escape tragedy and suffering. Each of us will probably react differently. However, if we can recall the Lord's promise, 'for I the Lord am with you,' we will be able to face our problems with dignity and courage. We will find the strength to be of good cheer instead of becoming resentful, critical, or defeated. We will be able to meet life's important happenings with clear vision, strength, and power. . . . .

"What a joy it is to see someone of good cheer, who, when others because of unpleasant happening or development live in angry silence or vocal disgust, meets the situation with cheerful endurance and good spirits" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986).
--Marvin J. Ashton