Two years ago, I did an experiment that greatly enriched my life.November 2008 was one of the most blessed months in memory. Was it because God loved us more then? Was it because we truly received more blessings in that one month than any others on record?
No & no.
That year, I made it a point to post one gratitude daily; to actively focus on my blessings. Perhaps because I slowed down enough to take notice is why the blessings felt sweeter....sounds logical, right?
Well guess what happened? My blessings multiplied!
(Want a mini-experiment that proves gratitude increases your blessings? Next prayer you utter, make it one of gratitude and only gratitude. It'll become one of the longest prayers you've offered, and what's more is that your memory will be blessed with more and more recollections of blessings He's given you! What's more? You won't run out of things to thank Heavenly Father for, I promise.)
Not only did I suddenly re-recognize EVERYTHING as a blessing, but more came as I gave thanks & glorified the Lord.
My favorite blessing, however, that came from a month of daily gratitude was the closeness I felt with my Savior, Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father, & the Holy Spirit. It was phenomenal! When the month ended, and I discontinued the concentrated focus on gratitude, I was almost depressed. So hopefully, out of this month, I'll have the privilege of feeling that closeness again!
"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."
-Doctrine & Covenants 59:21 
Reminds me of my favorite Strawberry Shortcake toy box from my youth. At the bottom, below the sliding chalkboard doors, was Strawberry Shortcake & her motto: "Take some time along the way to see what's nice about today!"
That is what is in the forefront of my mind as I have decided to tackle this experiment again this year!
I'm hoping that I will be able to see clearly how many more blessings there are to notice since the last time. Mostly, I'm looking forward to that closeness & the greater awareness I of Heavenly Father's hand in my life, during these experiments.
So there it is, this month's gauntlet.
Care to pick it up and go with me on this? Sounds like a pleasant time to me, to enjoy a 30 day long journey of gratitude with wonderful blog-friends like you!
8 comments:
Fantastic ide - might just need to do that!
I think I better start making a list....
You inspire me to be better. I so wish we lived closer. You get me. And Lord knows sometimes I need someone who does. I am going to try this and be more grateful. Thanks for your wonderful thoughts. I am going to try to be better. Miss you! Alot.
I think this is such a great idea. I have wanted to start a gratitude journal, but for some reason never get started. I am really going to try to do this this month too!
Great idea!
So many more people would be happy daily if they always had an "Attitude of Gratitude!"
It's a FUN thing to find daily blessings on the days that don't seem to have blessings.
There is ALWAYS something to be Grateful for!
PS: Love the Strawberry shortcake quote!
Sounds like a wonderful idea Keeley! I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up with the likes of awesome you, but I'm gonna give it a try. I love this month and the holidays!
Sorry miss daisy isn't feeling 100%. I sure love her!
I'm totally missing you too, I'm needing some Keeleytime!
I have another friend who has been doing this for the past month - I think she is going to Thanksgiving.
I keep a gratitude journal - it is a wonderful thing. Started it years ago when Oprah introduced the idea.
I look forward to seeing what you are grateful for.
I've tried something like this with my family, started tonight at FHE. We'll see where it goes.
Thank you so much friend!! I've been so caught up in my journey lately, that I think I've forgotten to be thankful for everything I already have... I think I'll have that gratitude filled prayer right now!
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