365 Daily Gratefuls

I have been writing this blog for a few years now, and I've never been perfect at it. In previous years, I have missed a few days or more for various circumstances (no wifi that day, stayed up too late, etc.). But this year, I wanted to improve, to have a daily grateful every single day of the year, even if I may have to write them retroactively on occasion.

Today, I am grateful for this accomplishment: 365 unique, consecutive daily gratefuls.

A Good Doctor

One of my less pleasant presents I received for the holidays was an ingrown toenail. I think it was the result of that pedicure I allowed myself to be talked into shortly before my wedding.

Anyway, it wasn't getting any better, so I finally decided to go see a doctor about it. The doctor was rather cheerful and reassuring, and I appreciated that. He gave me some really helpful information and provided the necessary prescriptions.

Of course, that's everyone's dream doctor visit. It's not exciting, but it was exactly what I needed. That is why I am grateful for the doctor who helped me today.

A Missionary Friend Comes Through Town

My 2-year mission, which ended more than four years ago, continues to bless me every day. The memories and lessons I gained during that time will stay with me forever.

Today, my mission blessed me in a more direct way when one of my fellow returned-missionary friend and his wife came through town. We went out for dinner and had great conversation. We were so grateful and glad to see each other. It was a splendid evening.

Quiet at the Office, More Work Done

I was surprised to find almost no one at the office today, until I remembered that most people would be gone on vacations this week. I kind of liked the extra quiet. I am grateful for the extra work I was able to complete today.

Planning Session and To Do List

Christmas is over, and though we still have New Year's Day soon, I still need to get back to work. Ugh...not to mention all the cleaning and organizing that needs to be done at home. That's why we decided to plan out our near future, to organize all the tasks that need to be done. Now, there is a neat, organized to do list hanging on the refrigerator. Looking at that helps make everything much more manageable. This helps relieve me of the stress and pressure I've felt throughout the day. I am grateful for a planning session and a to do list.

Safe and Easy Drive Home

My wife and I had a long drive to see my family for Christmas. It was a tiring drive, such that we felt the need to make several rest stops for breaks and to switch drivers. Today was the drive back to our home, and for some reason it felt like a much faster and easier drive. we only had to make one or two stops, and we didn't switch drivers at all. Part of if may have been that the sun wasn't so bothersome.

In any case, I am very grateful for a safe and easier drive back home after a wonderful Christmas vacation.

Jesus' Disciples Followed Him and So Can We

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I strive to live by His teachings, principles, and example. I am grateful that even in my adult years I can feel and appreciate the true meaning and wonder behind Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and may the holidays find you well and happy! :)

Jesus Cared for His Loved Ones, and So Can You

I'm with my entire family for Christmas, for the first time in a few years. I love them very much and I love making each person happy. Today, though, I got a painful infection in one of my toes, and so I was the one being cared for. My mother provided some treatment for it, and my wife was beside me, helping me deal with the pain. These are things I would certainly do if the roles were reversed. This is one of the many reasons I feel love and gratitude in my family and for my family. :)

Jesus Was a Peacemaker and You Can Be One Too

I am grateful for apologies. I feel better when I give one that I owe to someone. I feel better when someone sincerely apologizes to me. Everything is just better with forgiveness and peace, isn't it?

Jesus Showed Gratitude and So Can You

This is an easy challenge for me, something I do every day. As always, I am grateful for the blessings of gratitude.

Jesus Taught Us to Forgive Others and so Can You

I don't think I was in a situation that required forgiveness today, because every interaction I had today was pleasant and amiable. Even so, I really appreciated the suggestion on the LDS website for today: "Be kind instead of right for today." I once had great struggles with this principle (and I'm still learning, of course). It's hard to learn that sometimes kindness is truly more important than what you think is right. Over the years, I have learned to pick my battles, to ignore things that would hurt more than help, even if I felt strongly about it. I am grateful for Jesus Christ's supreme, sublime example of forgiveness.

Jesus Saw Potential in Others and So Can You

I recently got married, and I am so excited about it! Every day I've spent with my wife, I've seen the potential to become a great mother and a wonderful expert in her chosen field of work. I also see great potential in our relationship. I am grateful for the potential I see in my wife and in our relationship. I know I an fairly new to this wonderful matrimonial journey, but my beliefs and principles encourage me to have great hope for the future.

Jesus Calmed the Storm and So Can You

Today, I finally got my Christmas shopping done! Shopping and many other things about this season can often make December feel like a whirlwind of activity. Today, I am grateful for the time I was able to peacefully prepare and wrap  meaningful Christmas presents for my family.

Jesus Honored the Sabbath and So Can You

My Christmas vacation has just started, but I still felt that I needed to at least attend church and partake of the sacrament somewhere, if I could. Thankfully, there was a sacrament meeting near me this morning, and I am grateful that I was able to keep the Sabbath day holy by attending church, even while away from home.

Jesus Cared for His Mother and So Can You

I thanked my mother today, because I'm thankful for her every day. She is the greatest force for good in my life right now. She has given me everything I need and more to prepare for adulthood and to prepare for my eventual marriage.

Jesus Showed Compassion and So Can You

The suggestion on the LDS website is to give only encouragement online. I am grateful for the opportunities I have to #sharegoodness online. That is all I try to do, share what I believe if just, true, good, and right. I feel no need to contribute to any negativity on the internet. I feel every need to contribute to the good things of the world and online.

Jesus Worshiped Through Song and So Can You

When I walk alone or wait for the bus, I love to sing Christmas music. My favorite Christmas songs are those that focus on Jesus Christ, His life, and His ministry. I love any other Christmas song that I feel captures the essence of Christmas, that idea of "peace on earth, good will to men." Listen, play, sing, write, I feel joy in doing all of these things regarding Christmas songs and hymns. I am grateful for the joy I feel from Christmas songs and hymns.

Jesus Taught Us to Clothe the Naked and So Can You

In the process of moving between apartments, I realize how much extra stuff I actually have. I certainly have several articles of clothing that I could give away to those who need it more. I am grateful for the excess "stuff" I have, because now I have the opportunity to give to others.

Jesus Showed Humility and So Can You

The lyrics to a new original song were forming in my mind this evening on the bus ride back from work. I started to create a few verses, but I paused when I realized I should humbly pray for heavenly inspiration. I felt that way because the song I was creating was focused on Jesus Christ, His birth and His sacrifice for mankind. The song is intended to be suitable for Christmas. I decided not to work or think too fast, so I can be attentive to the impressions of the Spirit. I truly believe the words I wrote became at least a little more meaningful because I chose to ask God for some help and guidance.

If you're interested, the words I wrote are below (sung to an original tune):

Wise men traveled from afar,
Their path guided by a star.
Gloria in excelsis deo! 
The babe to see in wondering awe. 

A crown will pierce His sinless head
Yet live, the Judge of quick and dead!
Gloria in excelsis deo! 
Take Living Water, Living Bread

The lowing oxen, lamb, and sheep
Surround the child in humble keep.
Gloria in excelsis deo! 
All while He lay in heavenly sleep.

His work and wonders He will show,
Will walk the pathway we should go.
Gloria in excelsis deo! 
Grant love and peace to those who know.

The Prince of Peace for me and you,
Jehovah, and Messiah, too,
Gloria in excelsis deo! 
The Christ, the way, the life, the truth.

Jesus Taught Others and So Can You

Not really teaching, but reconnecting. I was able to (finally) meet up with a long-time friend for dinner today. We spent a couple hours talking about our schooling and work in the past year, and our relationships. I wouldn't call this teaching, but one thing great teachers do is connect with people on their level in order to make a good impression. My friend and I have done that for each other for many years, and though we don't get to see each other often, I am grateful I got to be with him for a couple hours today.

Jesus Ministered to Children and So Can You

It is not always possible for me to complete these #LightTheWorld "challenges." Today, I didn't really see or interact with any children. I went to church with a hundred or so young adults like me, I skyped my family, and I played tabletop games with friends. Not much opportunity to minister to children, per se, but I did decide to focus on people: my roommates, my family, my friends, and my fellow church-goers. I spent the entire day focusing on my time with them. I am grateful for the edifying interactions I had with people today. I felt especially good when an ecclesiastical leader told me how much he appreciated having me in the congregation (since I'm leaving the neighborhood soon).

Jesus Helped People Walk and So Can You

This has been a good day with my friends, particularly my roommates. The semester is nearing its end, many people will soon be moving in and out around here, so when the time came to go on a Christmas shopping trip with my roommates (complete with dinner), I was glad to join them (especially since I myself would soon be moving out).

I walked with them, talked with them, enjoyed my time with them. I am grateful for that time.

Jesus Visited the Lonely and So Can You

I went to a fancy dinner tonight. I didn't have to go, but someone invited me to go with them, so I went. I'm glad I did. Good food and conversation. Best of all, the person I went with told me, "Thanks for coming with me." I am grateful for a pleasant evening of a good Christmas dinner.

Jesus Taught Us to Pray

I am grateful for Christ's example of prayer. The most important aspect of prayer is, of course, that fact that it is our way of communing with God. There is another direct and practical blessing that I've noticed with prayer, specifically praying for the happiness and well-being of others. In each of my evening prayers, I often have one or more people I'm praying for. Each time I pray for someone else, my appreciation and concern for that person increases. It becomes easier for me to see that person the way God sees them.

I have also heard many counselors, teachers, and ecclesiastical leaders, when they speak of preparing for marriage, encourage family prayer. That is, a daily (or nightly) prayer between husband, wife, and children (if any). Any marital or familial dischord that may have occurred that day is subdued and put into proper perspective when a family prays together.

I am grateful for prayer, particularly as I pray for others, just as Jesus Christ did often.

Jesus Fed the Hungry and So Can You

I'm afraid I didn't do much in this challenge either, partially because I had a full day of errands and wedding stuff, not to mention work.

So, I feel the least I can do is send a positive message to my dozens of friends who are still in school and are hungry for success and relief:

The end is near, my friends! I wish you well in your final exams of the semester. I give you permission to sing your favorite Christmas (or holiday) song in triumph after each completed exam. Above all, I hope you each can find a reason to be grateful for each class you've taken this semester. :)

I try to share my resources to worthy causes and circumstances when I can.

Jesus Read the Scriptures and So Can You

I try to "feast upon the word of God" each day. I am very grateful for the light and truth in the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

This is one of my favorite verses:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."--John 16:33

...coupled with this verse...

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."--Philippians 4:13

Jesus Healed the Sick and So Can You

Did I help heal the sick today? Did I somehow aid someone in their journey to recovery? Did I follow Christ's example today?

To be honest, I can't think of anything. I can't think of anything I did today that helped heal the sick. What I did do today, apart from go to work, was attend a Christmas party, volunteer for some silly Christmas charades and sing-alongs, filled a few empty minutes on stage with some beat-boxing and echo-voice, lost my ring, and have it found again.

Oh, I can think of something. I had all these letters to send out, and my fiancee had been quite anxious and stressed that I hadn't gotten it done this past week (which is strange, because all of hers were sent a couple weeks ago, not sure why she was stressed about my half). Anyway, I was finally able to stamp and mail the letters today. I informed her of my victory, and she replied with appreciation. I suppose that can be a bit of healing: reducing someone's anxiety.

It has been a nice day, anyhow. I am grateful for today, for the things I accomplished, and for the things I lost, found, and gave freely.

Jesus Worshiped His Father and So Can You

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has released a neat initiative for this Christmas season. You can find it here. There is a new challenge every day to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our interactions with others and in our personal spiritual lives. I didn't discover it until today, so I'm missing the first few days. Nevertheless, I'm going to participate in this initiative, and that will inform my posts of gratitude from now until Christmas.

So, today focused on worshiping God. An example of this is offering a prayer every day. I do have a habit of praying daily, so today I focused on being more focused during church. It helped that I was fasting for a special, personal purpose. As I ignored my usual distractions, I felt more light. I felt more enlightened with thoughts and ideas on small things I can improve on today. I was better at worshiping God today than I was last week! I am grateful for the personal blessings and inspirations I received when I focused more on Christ this Sabbath Day.

Fun with a New Game

I made up a game today, a small, simple game that uses chess pieces. Well, I tried it with a few friends today, and it turned out to be a harder, more interesting game than I originally planned. Maybe it was just the right circumstances. Anyway, I am grateful that my friends and I had a great time together with a new game.

Warm Pajamas

As much as I have been enjoying my current apartment, my one complaint is that the windows aren't very well insulated, and there's a large window right by my bed. This requires me to bundle up a bit as I go to sleep. That is why I am grateful to be able to wear pajamas that can keep me sufficiently warm.

Reflecting the "Niceness" of the Year While Writing to Santa

I haven't written a letter to Santa since I was...oh...about 7 or 8, give or take a few years. Yet today, I wrote one, and I'm glad I did. Granted, it was meant to be a message to a "Secret Santa," in which case I was just informing whoever would be assigned to me my likes and dislikes regarding small, inexpensive gifts.

Still, I decided to approach my letter as an actual letter to Santa. This led me to reflect on how I have been in 2016, a year some may consider an awful one, a long one.

For me, personally, it has been the best of my life. This year alone, I did the following:

Graduated college
Played several epic D&D adventures (and made great friends in the process)
Fell in love (and grew in love)
Found a full-time job
Got engaged

And the best days of the year (Christmas season) have barely begun! In my opinion, the best is yet to come!

Of course, I understand that all of these great things are personal to me. Not everyone's year has been so fortunate. Even so, we all have something to be grateful for, every single day.

Santa Claus is known to check his naughty/nice list. How have you changed this past year? Surely you have improved in some way because you now have another year's worth of life lessons and experiences. :)