Thank You Power

You know those times when the world's great scientific minds finally catch up to doctrine of Christ (like when they finally proved that living the word of wisdom would bring you health and happiness...only they didn't know the Lord had already told us this hundreds of years before.) Anyway, I witnessed one of these events today while watching Good Morning America. THey had a "blurb" on a lady who had written a book on the power of thank you. Here is an excerpt from the intro of her book:
THIS BOOK WAS BORN OF COMMON SENSE. NOT THAT I claim to have more of it than anyone else. But it just seemed common sense to me—a hunch, really—that if you want to be happy, focus on what you've got—not what you've not. The benefits of doing just that read like the claims of some too-good-to-be-true infomercial:
You'll be more optimistic.
You'll exercise more.
You'll think more creatively.
You'll bounce back from adversity faster.
You'll be less intimidated by challenges.
You'll have higher immune response.
You'll be more alert and interested.
You'll be more adventurous.
You'll live longer.
You'll be more likely to help others.
You'll be more likable.
You'll be more tolerant.
You'll be a better boss or team leader.
You just might do better on a test.

These outcomes, reported in the country's top psychology journals, are the findings of some of the nation's foremost re¬searchers in a newly emerged field called positive psychology. For nearly two years, I have been digesting this scientific literature, trying to discover if my hunch had any basis in fact. Did it ever!
…Regard¬less of your age, religion, financial circumstances, or any other classification society might dream up, you have within you the tools to allow you to live the life of satisfaction, security, and optimism you long for. That power begins with two words: thank you.

So here is the deal, haven't you heard mentioned in the scriptures, by the prophets, and over the pulpit to be grateful for the blessings that are yours? Of course you have! If you don't remember them, allow me to jog your memory:

From a talk given in 2002 by Elder Haight: "As recorded in Luke, one day the Savior entered a village where there were 10 lepers. Now, those of us who have grown up in the last few years know very little about lepers. Leprosy was a terrible, dreaded disease anciently. These 10 lepers came to the Savior and said, “Master, have mercy upon us; have mercy upon us who have that terrible ailment of leprosy.” And He said to the 10 lepers, “Go visit your priest, and he will take care of you”—which they did. They went to see their priests, and they were cleansed, all 10 of them. A short time later, one of them returned to the Savior and fell on his face and his hands and his knees, thanking the Savior for blessing him and making him well from that terrible disease. And the Savior said to that one man: “Weren’t there 10? What has happened to the other nine? Where are they?” (See Luke 17:11–19.)
As I’ve read that story again and again, it’s made a great impression upon me. How would you like to be part of the “nine society”? Wouldn’t that be something—to be numbered among those who failed to return and acknowledge the Savior for the blessings He had given them? Only one returned.
It’s so easy in life for us to receive blessings, many of them almost uncounted, and have things happen in our lives that can help change our lives, improve our lives, and bring the Spirit into our lives. But we sometimes take them for granted. How grateful we should be for the blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our hearts and souls. I would remind all of you that if we’re ever going to show gratitude properly to our Heavenly Father, we should do it with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—because it was He who gave us life and breath. He gave us the opportunity to live as we are, to have the gospel in our lives... As that gratitude is magnified and developed and expanded, it can bless our hearts and our minds and our souls to where we’d like to continue to carry on and do those things that we are asked to do.Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to feel it but to express it. Frequently we are oblivious to the Lord’s hand. We murmur, complain, resist, criticize; so often we are not grateful. "

Sister Bonnie D Parkins related the following "Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it, we become spiritually aware of the wonder of the smallest things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God’s love. This grateful awareness heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. 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."

And, last one, last year in the monthly message in the Ensign, President Thomas S. Monson spoke of the power of gratitude. He told this story: "The District of Columbia police auctioned off about 100 unclaimed bicycles Friday. “One dollar,” said an 11-year-old boy as the bidding opened on the first bike. The bidding, however, went much higher. “One dollar,” the boy repeated hopefully each time another bike came up.
The auctioneer, who had been auctioning stolen or lost bikes for 43 years, noticed that the boy’s hopes seemed to soar higher whenever a racer-type bicycle was put up.
Then there was just one racer left. The bidding went to eight dollars. “Sold to that boy over there for nine dollars!” said the auctioneer. He took eight dollars from his own pocket and asked the boy for his dollar. The youngster turned it over in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters—took his bike, and started to leave. But he went only a few feet. Carefully parking his new possession, he went back, gratefully threw his arms around the auctioneer’s neck, and cried.
When was the last time we felt gratitude as deeply as did this boy? "

If you have stuck with me through the entirety of this long post, good for you. I have just one scripture for you and then a thought/challenge.
“Live in thanksgiving daily,” said Amulek, “for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”
We are so blessed. I believe that if each of you took the time to really count your blessings you would realize that you live a very charmed life, despite your own personal hardships, the Lord is literally pouring out blessing on your head. Receive them and BE GRATEFUL for them.
Here is my challenge, take time everyday to list your blessings, to say thank you, to the Lord and also those around you in your life who bless you everyday. Perhaps keep a gratitude journal and every night write down one thing you are truly grateful for. In your prayer each day, make the effort to say thank you, sincerely, for at least one of the many blessings that are yours. Instead of just reciting "thank you for this day...for our many blessings..." be truly grateful for the day and NUMBER/LIST off your "many blessings". Take the time to open your eyes to the bounty around you and sincerely thank the Lord for providing it for you. I am not a prophet or apostle, but I am confident that I can promise you an increased happiness and a more personal relationship with your Father in Heaven. Lets give this "thank you power" a try.