When I was in Young Women, probably when I was about 14 years old, one of my leaders taught a lesson about gratitude and gave us all a small wooden heart that had the words "happiness is a thankful heart" painted on it.
To be honest, I have to confess that I don't think I paid very much attention to that lesson... at least, not as much as I should have. I kept that little heart, though, and put it next to my mirror along with numerous other handouts my wonderful leaders made for us. :) Even if not much sunk into my hard head during the actual lesson, I looked at that heart every day and as I grew up a little bit I started to really understand what those words mean, and especially what they mean to me.
To me, what the words on that heart mean is that the key to happiness is to be thankful, to be positive, to avoid looking for reasons to be unsatisfied, and to express gratitude to family, friends, and our loving Heavenly Father. These are the things that will bring us the most joy.
Doesn't it make such a difference to be thankful for everything you have, and not focus on things you don't have? Doesn't it change everything when you stop comparing your life to others, and remember how blessed you are? I know it does for me!
And the most important part? Don't forget to be thankful always... not just around Thanksgiving. :)
On that note, have a wonderful Turkey Day! :)
(P.S. One of the wonderful things about being married is having multiple Thanksgivings to enjoy... just sayin'. Hopefully it won't fatten me up too much. :P)
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“A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being. But there is a truism associated with all types of human strength: Use it or lose it. When not used, muscles weaken, skills deteriorate, and faith disappears. President Thomas S. Monson stated: Think to thank."
-President James E. Faust
