Week 4, Day 3: Grateful

We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings. Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” - President Thomas S. Monson, The Divine Gift of Gratitude

Today, I am grateful. I had a few other things that I thought about blogging about today that are really cool, but I can't shake this recurring feeling of gratitude that has accompanied me throughout the day, and hit me at the strangest times. I love those days because they make me feel a bit closer to Heaven. Here are a few sweet moments of gratitude in my day:

• My job: This morning, I ran into a former coworker and we talked about the job I once held and a few of the things happening there now. I felt, as I listened to her speak, how grateful I am to be where I am now. I think of the months of unemployment to heal from the challenges that I faced there, and how VERY happy I am now. I work for four wonderful men who think the world of me, and I feel the same about them. I used to dread Sunday nights because it meant that Monday was on its way. Now, I love Sundays and Mondays and all the other days. In that discussion this morning, I felt such deep gratitude for life's "growing" lessons and for the Lord's guiding hand. He knows best.
• Friends: I am an intern (and I LOVE it) and there are two other interns I work with, Isabel and Ryan. We are really good friends and eat lunch together often. This is funny, but I don't think I make real friends very often, so I feel so grateful for them. It's a blessing to have friends.
  
• A healing heart. Today, as I sat in the weekly devotional, the speaker talked about expecting surprises from the Lord and looking forward to the enchantment of such surprises. As he spoke, one word came to mind: HOPE. He talked about the wounds of the heart and that we tend to close off our hearts, but as we open them again, our capacity to love and live life to the fullest expands. I realized as he spoke that this very thing is happening. My wounded heart is healing and learning to expect wonderful things from a wonderful and glorious God. Learning to hope is changing my heart. I am grateful for that change.
• The people I walk through mortality with. That's right, you! Tonight, I had dinner with my cousins Melanie and Sylinda, kind of a "former roommate" thing, and I love them. I enjoyed talking and laughing and catching up in a loving and accepting environment. It made me think of wonderful roommates past and present as well. Speaking of, I came home tonight, and my bestie and roommate had dinner waiting for me when I got home. Sadly, I didn't eat with her, but it was a lovely gesture anyway. The guy she's dating was here, so I didn't feel too sorry for her! :) A girl in our ward was here when I got home tonight, and asked me to say a few words to another member of our ward who does a lot and it made me grateful for my ward family. I am grateful to spend this time of my life with them.
• Blessings of comforts. A few minutes ago, as finished tidying the house and prepared to turn off lights, I looked around at the loveliness of the things that surround me. I have been blessed to find a lot of great furniture and wall hangings pretty inexpensively, and our house is just beautiful and warm. It is especially beautiful all decorated for Christmas. After turning down the lights, I basked in the Christmas lights and thought about my life to this point. I am so happy to be where I am. I also took a look at the vehicle that I drive, which is in great condition, and I see my clothes and feel so grateful to be warm when so many are cold. In this aspect, I have been blessed above and beyond.
• Family. One of the greatest blessings of my mortality, though, is my family. My wonderful aunt is sick, and I watch my mom prepare to go take care of her. She is always taking care of others. I am grateful for a loving mother. She is one of my best friends. I am grateful for my dear dad, and the effort he has made to really have heart-to-hearts with me, especially as I have faced various challenges. He is a wonderful example of work and dedication, even in discouragement. Tonight, I talked about my brothers and sisters-in-law and my cute nieces and nephews. I love them so much and am so blessed by them. Finally, I feel so grateful for my sisters. They are seriously the funniest. Our lives are different, but they are delightful. I can't wait to become even better friends with them. They mean so very much to me. We might have a chance to get my entire family together at New Years for the first time in over a year and a half. I ACHE for this. What a lovely thing! I am grateful for loving family.
• Little things. Finally, just a few other things. The picture below is my commute. I walk on Temple Square each day and I took this the other night on the way home. I am SO blessed. They also have choirs and live music in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where I work and it helps me think about the season and Christ more each day.

Honestly, I could go on for a very long time, but I won't. All I will say is that it has be a blessing to have felt such gratitude today. I am grateful for the Spirit that helped me feel such gratitude. I just love these grateful days.