Perspective

Once I returned to my apartment after a great Thanksgiving break, I felt disappointed that I would have to go back to school tomorrow. I then thought about all the school work I've got to do, and I started to feel overwhelmed. I stopped myself and seriously went through in my mind all the things I really have to do: A few small online assignments and a research paper (due next week, and I've started to do some research for it). That's it. That's all that was weighing on my mind. It really didn't seem all that bad when I really thought about it. With this perspective, I felt happier. It's amazing what mentally stepping back can do. I am grateful for good, broad perspective.

Cousins

I am so grateful for my many cousins. I have been spending Thanksgiving break with some of them (along with some aunts and uncles and grandparents, of course), and that has been a lot of fun. I also wish to express my gratitude for all my cousins on both sides of my family. When I consider the cousins of my generation on my mom's side on and my dad's side put together, we range in age from late 20's to about 3 years old. We represent many different personalities and viewpoints, but we are still generally very happy to see each other during family reunions great and small. Those of us with jobs and/or pursuing education have many different kinds of great and honorable work. We live across the country and do many wonderful things in our local communities. My dad's parents and my mom's parents all have many grandchildren which they are proud of. It is a blessing to have many wonderful cousins, and I am grateful for the people they are and the wonderful things they do.

Vacation Homes

I am grateful for those people who set up their homes for large vacation groups such as my family. We're in a nice pioneer home tonight, and I am impressed by the way everything is put together. Of course I know these people get money for renting their house out like this, but I still think it is rather generous of them. These are nice houses! I am grateful for vacation homes.

So Much to Be Grateful For

Yesterday marked my 500th post in this blog, meaning I have found at least 500 things to be grateful for. I feel it is appropriate to note something like this on Thanksgiving Day. I love these words sung by Josh Groben:

"Some days, we forget to look around us.
Some days, we can't see the joy that surrounds us.
So caught up inside ourselves,
We take when we should give.

"So for tonight we pray for what we know can be;
And on this day we hope for what we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change;
And even though this world needs so much more,
There's so much to be thankful for."

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Desert Landscape

I am with family in southern Utah for the Thanksgiving break, and at the place we're staying we have a nice view of some desert landscape. It has its own kind of beauty which I have come to appreciate since I served as a missionary a few years ago. I am grateful for the red sand and the red rock formations topped with sagebrush, all of which I am able to enjoy here in southern Utah. The sweet memories the landscape brings to me of my mission also make it special to me.

Happy News

One of the many great benefits of friendship is the opportunity to share good news. It uplifts the giver and the receiver of good news, and all rejoice together. Our truest Friend in heaven wanted glad tidings of great joy to be shared with everyone. Similarly, it is a wonderful thing to be able to celebrate a promotion, an accomplishment, an addition to a family, a miracle, a new opportunity, anything with those who we know would love to celebrate with us. I am grateful to be able receive happy news from a friend, today and every day.

Christmas Music!

There are people who don't like to hear Christmas music until the middle of December, there are people who wouldn't mind Christmas music the day after Halloween, and there are people in many levels within that continuum. I myself am more of a liberal on this particular issue. I love to hear Christmas music in the middle of November, especially if snow has already begun to fall. To me, the music associated with Christmas is truly magical. I have tremendous appreciation for the carols of the season, and for the artists who contribute their lovely interpretations of them. Once the music starts, I feel warmer and happier as my thoughts turn to the glad tidings of great joy that have been shared by God and man alike for over two thousand years. I am grateful for Christmas music!