Gratitude

Thanksgiving. The holiday that often gets overshadowed by the commercialized and materialized Christmas. It makes me sad. Thanksgiving is the best prelude to Christmas - when Christmas is seen as more than just a way to make money or get gifts. This month, I've been taking the time to think of the things I'm thankful for. I thought I'd share some.

*I'm grateful for the opportunity to get an education - the education I want, the way I want.
*I'm grateful that I had a scholarship, that pays for my tuition.
*I'm grateful for a job, so I can pay for all my other expenses.
*I'm grateful for a boss at said job who is understanding, caring, and makes sure I am fed and healthy.
*I'm grateful for my roommates, each and every one of them. They bless me in different ways.
*I'm grateful that my sister Amy and her husband Stephen are up at Flagstaff also, so I have some family near me.
*I'm grateful Amy is pregnant. There will be one niece/nephew who will grow up, at least for a little while, knowing me while I'm going to school.
*I'm grateful for being so sure in where I'm supposed to go in the future - education- and occupation-wise.
* I'm grateful Katie Alston is up at Flagstaff. Seriously. No words. The only close friend who came up, and we've only become closer.
*I'm grateful for good food.
*I'm grateful for pizza. It sounds silly, but it's always a treat when I get to eat it, and it's the one food I never, ever tire of.
*I'm grateful for roommates who make food and then let me eat it. (I instantly love you if you make me food. No beating around the bush on that one.)
*I'm grateful for warmth - such as awesome jackets, beanies, scarves, gloves, and Billy the heater.
* I'm grateful for good health. Having the energy to accomplish the things you need to do is such  a blessing. I'm only realized this now, as my body has been doing some funky things.
*I'm grateful for music and it's wonderful power and influence in my life.
*I'm grateful for Sara Barielles, Ingrid Michaelson, Mika, Regina Spektor, and Adele. They help cheer me up, help me focus, and help give me energy. They've spurred many a writing assignment along.

These are the most important things. Yes. More important than pizza.

*I'm grateful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The hope it instills in me. The light it brings into my life. I know my life would be much darker. I would not be as happy, nor as kind without it in my life. I would be an extremely angry, sullen, withdrawn, harder, and miserable person without it. This I know.

*I'm grateful for my knowledge and testimony of the Gospel. Because I know, I dare not deny, are try so hard not to falter.

*I'm grateful for the scriptures. Many a time prayers have been answered, comfort has been given, revelation received.

*I'm grateful for the Spirit - for above reasons.

*I'm grateful for psychology. Silly...maybe. But I feel such joy when I learn more. And it gives me the ability to help people in a way that others may not be able to. It gives me the chance to make the difference in the world - which is, after all, my ultimate goal in life.

*I'm grateful for my family. So incredibly grateful. Even though when we get together, it's so chaotic that I begin to shut down, it brings me great joy to see everyone together. They are such a support to me. I treasure sweet mispronunciations of my name, such as "Bep" and silly statements like, "you have shorter hair than I remember." (By the way...Jakob...that's called a haircut! haha)

*I'm grateful for my friends. They help keep me out of the darkness. I doubt that they truly know the difference they have made and continue to make in my life. I don't know if they understand how much I treasure their friendship. It's something I have a hard time expressing. (heck, I have a hard time expressing anything!)

*I'm grateful for the Lord's presence in my life. For His foresight in the people He places in my life. They are so amazing! He knows what He's doing. Whenever I have a struggle, need to be reminded of something, or need another example of Christlike attributes or need someone else in my life with Christ's countenance ever present in their own, He sends someone my way.

*I'm grateful that I'm living my life the way I am that have allowed me to cross paths with these people. If I was not down the right path, then it would not have crossed the paths of others down their right path.

*Above all, I'm grateful for Christ. He is my Brother. My Best Friend. My Savior, Redeemer, my Rock, my everything. I would be nothing without Him. It is with His help I can become the person I want to be. Because of Him and His atonement, I have the courage to not be self-degrading - and yes, that does take courage. I know that I cannot achieve perfection in this life, but that's why He did what He did. So I can repent, and then, in the next life, I will be able to become perfected.

I love times like this when I reflect on what I'm thankful for. I'm grateful for gratitude! It is only when you are grateful that you truly begin to realize just how blessed you are. You'll see blessings you've never considered as blessings. You'll see God's hands in your life in ways you never considered. Tender mercies will seem to pop up everywhere! Don't forget to express gratitude to those around you and to the Lord. It's never time wasted, so take time to do it. You'll be amazed what you'll see.