Gratitude Inspires Happiness

I'll never forget hearing a talk given by a very well spoken three year old. She was a tiny little thing with big brown eyes. She stood on a stool in sacrament meeting, with her mom at her side and told us the true meaning of gratitude. As she pronounced the word, the consonant-- letter T was emphasized. It was not only an adorable talk, but it was memorable due to the content. It was also not just a memorized speech, you could feel the spirit with each sentence this precious little girl spoke. Her eye contact was penetrating and her voice filled with conviction. By the end of the talk, all of us felt gratitude in our hearts for our Savior, Jesus Christ and our loved ones. It was an amazing moment in time for our congregation.

Bonnie D. Parkin, once said, "When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connected to those around us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and carries divine
influence." I have found these words to be so true in my own life. I have often been inspired to be kinder, gentler and more appreciative as I show gratitude towards those around me. The spirit fills me many times over as I put this into action. Just by being grateful I change not only my demeanor, but the people who surround me begin to communicate better and pass on what they have learned as well.

Now, as I hear the word gratitude I'm filled with familiar spiritual feelings. I have become spiritually aware due to the influence of the spirit I had once so many years ago.

I've found that gratitude is a spirit-filled word. Once aware of this your heart fills quickly with the knowledge of its blessings. I can now find Gods love in the smallest things.

Today as I was fishing with my son, I watched the lake who's surface was covered with two feet of ice a month ago--now had given way to a late spring thaw. The fish were eager to bite our bait and we enjoyed the blessings of nature and spending time as mother and son.

I saw a musk rat swim back and forth gathering nesting materials for his new family home. Red winged black birds, were doing their mating dance oblivious to all who watched. The far edge of the lake shimmered with ice crystals as the seagulls swept in to pick up dead fish littering the surf. Life was happening all around us as we felt the gentle cast of a worm and heard the subsequent plop of a bobber hitting the surface. The ripples multiplied tenfold on the glassy surface--then all was still.

If we can all cause ripples to flow out from ourselves in positive ways-- filled with gratitude for our blessings, those ripples will be long lasting in many peoples lives.

I'm so grateful for the rich blessings in my own personal life. I know that each of you must feel some amount of gratitude for your own blessings or for people in your lives whom you love. Try telling them how grateful you are for them today. I bet your words will mean so much to them as they think about what meant the most to them about their day.

If a brown eyed three year old standing on a stool, can speak to a single congregation and make a difference, you can share your gratitude and inspire happiness in other peoples lives too.