Gratitude

“So much has been given to me, I have not time to ponder over that which has been denied.”

- Helen Keller

As we arrive at the end of one year and the beginning of another, I feel it is a good time to look back and review our blessings. Sometimes, while in the midst of life's happenings, one can miss some of God's tender mercies and generous blessings. However, when we look back over the space of a year's time, we may be more able to recognize the good that has been done for us.

What good memories do you now have that you did not have a year ago? What increased understanding and wisdom? What beneficial experiences? New friends gained? Accomplishments garnered? Trials overcome? Strength gained? Service provided? Gifts received? This is just a short list. As you ponder on this list, other reasons for gratitude will come to your mind. And as you recognize these blessings and give thanks to God for them, you will be blessed even more. You will be blessed with more happiness and joy in your life.

Smile

I came across the following quote in a thrift store:

"A smile can never be kept; it can only be given away."

Everyone can smile. And you never run out of smiles, regardless of how many you give out. Smiling is the easiest form of service. And as service it will lift those to whom it is given and the giving will lift the giver. I highly recommend the practice of smiling often and to everyone. You never know whose day will be enlightened just because you decided to give away a smile.

Advent Calendar: Day 25

Day 25: Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Advent Calendar: Day 24

Day 24: Matthew 2:11
And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Advent Calendar: Day 23

Day 23: Matthew 2:1
There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

Advent Calendar: Day 22

Day 22: Luke 2:15
The shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass.

Advent Calendar: Day 21

Day 21: Luke 2:16
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Advent Calendar: Day 20

Day 20: Luke 2:19
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Advent Calendar: Day 19

Day 19: Luke 2:7
She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes.

Advent Calendar: Day 18

Day 18: Matthew 2:9-10
And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them.

Advent Calendar: Day 17

Day 17: Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

A True Friend

One time when I was wandering through a thrift store, I came across an item with the following poem on it:

Friendship
A friend will stand beside you,
And stay there come what may.
A friend knows you're not perfect,
But loves you anyway.
- Kent Brown

Two thoughts occur to me when I read those lines. First, doing a little bit of introspection, I wonder how I am doing at being a true friend by recognizing another's imperfections but not letting those prevent me from appreciating the good that is there as well. And not just appreciating the good but doing what I can to encourage and emphasize it.

The second thought is that there is one who is not only a true friend, but the True Friend. One who loves each of us despite knowing and fully comprehending each person, including all of the weaknesses, pettiness, selfishness, pride, and a hundred other ugly traits of our character. He knows better than anyone, even better than us, just how far from the mark we fall short. And yet He still loves and stands by us.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, let each of us seek to more closely follow the example of Jesus Christ, our best and truest friend, by trying more diligently and patiently to be a better friend to others.

Advent Calendar: Day 16

Day 16: Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Example

The eye's a better student and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, example's always clear,
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how you do it, if you'll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but you tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver may be wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson by observing what you do.
For I may not understand you and the high advice you give;
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

- Edgar A. Guest


Be the example that you would like to have around you. Being and doing the best that you can provide a very strong foundation for your words of instruction and encouragement.

Advent Calendar: Day15

Day 15: Luke 2:9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Advent Calendar: Day 14

Day 14: Luke 2:8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Advent Calendar: Day 13

Day 13: Matthew 2:2
We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Advent Calendar: Day 12

Day 12: Luke 2:6
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Advent Calendar: Day 11

Day 11: Luke 2:7
There was no room for them in the inn.

"Good will towards men"

"Our celebration of Christmas should be a reflection of the love and selflessness taught by the Savior. Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. We feel more kindly one to another. We reach out in love to help those less fortunate. Our hearts are softened. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things. To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the Spirit of Christ" (Thomas S. Monson, 2013 First Presidency Christmas Devotional).

True good will towards men comes when we become, as President Monson says above, "more interested in people than in things." What will you do this Christmas season to brighten the lives of others and show your good will towards men?

Advent Calendar: Day 10

Day 10: Luke 2:4-5
And Joseph also went up from Galilee...unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Advent Calendar: Day 9

Day 9: Luke 2:3
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Advent Calendar: Day 8

Day 8: Luke 2:1
There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

The best content to contemplate

"...We were exposed to great literature, great ideas from great thinkers, and language of men and women who thought deeply and wrote beautifully" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 170).

Since your thoughts determine so much of who your are, be sure that what you are putting into your mind and contemplating is substance of the highest caliber.

Advent Calendar: Day 7

Day 7: Luke 1:41-42
When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.

Advent Calendar: Day 6

Day 6: Matthew 1:20-21
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream.

Advent Calendar: Day 5

Day 5: Luke 1:32
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.

Advent Calendar: Day 4

Day 4: Luke 1:31-33
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Advent Calendar: Day 3

Day 3: Luke 1:26-30
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Beginning Post

There are many (read: thousands) of daily quote or inspirational quote or daily inspirational quote blogs and sites already. So, "Why then," you may ask, "would someone think it a good idea to start another one?" I will tell you: I don't really know. If I ponder on it I can come up with some benefits, such as being able to choose my own quotes, and that spending time focusing on that which has been said or written which is uplifting cannot help but lift my thoughts (and, therefore, benefit my overall character). It might even be able to assist in the improvement of my writing skills through the added practice that generating blog posts will provide. When it comes down to it, the reason I am starting this blog is because God and my wife are both encouraging to do so. I have found that they give very good counsel and, therefore, it is prudent of me to do as they recommend. :-)

I hope that you and others might find the postings timely, uplifting and interesting.

Advent Calendar: Day 2

Luke 1:26-27

Day 2: Luke 1:26-27
The angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Advent Calendar: Day 1

Now the birth of Jesus Christ
was on this wise

As it is now officially December, I am going to do a daily post to go along with an animated GIF for that particular day.

Day 1: Matthew 1:18
On the very first day of Christmas it is important for each one of us to remember that the birth of Christ is was foretold in the scriptures. That was why, for example, when the three kings appeared before Herod and asked where to find the new born king, the chief priests and scribes were able to reply that Bethlehem was the place indicated in the scriptures (see Matt. 2:5-6).

Everything that was written in the scriptures and foretold by God's prophets pertaining to the life of our Savior was fulfilled, including even the place and manner of His birth.

Also, let us always remember that we can learn about Christ and find answers to life's questions in the scriptures. God prepared them for His children so that we may draw nearer to Him by understanding His characteristics better and then seeking to incorporate those characteristics into our own lives.