Service Is Love In Action
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I love how the holidays capture the spirit of love, kindness, and charity. It truly is a magical time of year where we set aside our differences and come together with grateful hearts and compassion for others. It's a time of reflection and rededication to living a Christ-like life centered on service and hope.
If the Holidays have the power to bring out the best in us, it is capable of bringing out the worst as well. Too often we get swept away in the tide of greed, entitlement, and longing for the things we don't have but feel we deserve. We are bombarded by messages that tell us to buy more, chase perfection, and create your own happiness. Commercialism has taken over our wants and turned them into needs. It is no longer ok to wish for something, we are encouraged to buy our happiness one credit card swipe at a time. I know this first hand because I'm guilty of trying to keep up with the Jones's...I want nice things and have shallowly believed my worth equated to what I owned.
As I've begun navigating the "Social Media" sea, I've noticed so much of what I want in life is a reflection of what I see on my feed. I'm bombarded by images of beautiful mothers reading to their perfectly groomed children, the free spirited friend who's making a name for herself on the EDM circuit, or the go-getters who travel the world seeking adventure. The people in these little squares are imperfect, flawed and human... I know this, yet I'm blinded by the fact that they have what I don't. This kind of thinking turns even the loveliest of souls into soured grapes. We must remind ourselves...that Social Media is just a glorified highlight reel of our lives. Yes the people in those squares have strengths I don't possess, the time to pursue dreams that are still too far for me to reach, and talents that surpass my own. But, I am special just the way I am. I don't need what they have to be happy. The white walls, glowing complexion, and the perfect table spread wont make me any more likable to my friends. When you strive to live your life in a way that inspires kindness, positivity, and love, others will take note and will want to emulate the example you set.
“When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives."- Gordon B. Hinkley.
This spirit of thanksgiving isn't reserved for one holiday a year, it is an attitude of gratitude that uplifts hearts all year around. How often do I walk with gratitude? Honestly, not often enough. What kind of example do I set for my children? Not a very humble one. That needs to change. I cant expect to teach my children the value of what they have if they are constantly seeking out more. I can do so much more to serve my family, friends and community. Which got me thinking of all the ways I have felt appreciated of grateful for someones service. Service is love in action, and what better way to express my gratitude then by taking the time to serve the ones I love. Iv'e compiled a list on how I can show my gratitude for others throughout this season. It's my very own Gratitude Bucket List! I want to turn my heart outward and show my appreciation for others through my actions, not just my words. I hope you can join me!
Gratitude Bucket List
- Create a Thankful Tree
-Make a meal for a family in need
-Write a Thank You Note
- Call my Grandparents
- Serve in a soup kitchen
- Participate in a charitable cause
- Create a Reverse Bucket List
- Offer more compliments
- Give a larger tip
- Volunteer at my childs school
- Say my prayers morning and night
-Pay it forward, pay for the person behind me
-Donate gently used clothing
- Give of my time
Thomas S. Monson, President of the LDS church said, "Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings. This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways. We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
Gratitude List
A Healthy functioning body
A strong Marriage relationship
My son and his achievements in school
My daughter who has her daddy's eyes but her mothers soul
For a home that provides comfort and love
Parents who believed in my dreams from a young age
Friends who emulate kindness and strength
A hardworking Husband who supports and loves his family
The transformative power of music
Final Thoughts
"My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."- Thomas S. Monson.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends! Take a moment today to jot down a quick note of what you are grateful for and how you can show your appreciation to others! Have a wonderful day my friends!
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