The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) publishes a monthly magazine called the Ensign. This month’s issue includes a great article by President Henry Eyring of the First Presidency on the importance of gratitude. At the end of the article there was a little activity called the “Gratitude Challenge“. I thought it would be fun to take it online and share it with you.
I’ll take the challenge as an example on the blog. Copy and paste the challenge into the comment section and leave yours too for others to benefit from.
Take a Gratitude Challenge
By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat
Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds like it is too many, try this:
1.
Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
Sight, strength to run, bike, lift, hike, walk, , hearing, smell, touch, coordination, endurance.
2.
Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
Home, cars, enough money to support family, computer, internet, exercize equipment, clothing, central heating (this is on my mind because it is cold as I write this), DVD player with movies, GPS in my car, car seats for kids, stuffed animals for the kids, comfortable bed, hot water.
3.
Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
Wife, children (2), parents (father, mother, step-mother), siblings (7), cousins, in-laws, grandparents, friends…..I’m not putting names down here because there are too many to count and just in case I forget someone it will come back and haunt me!
4.
Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
Grandma Anderson, Grandma Curlette, Jesus, founding fathers, known and unknown people who lost lives to improve ours today through fighting battles in war and in other ways such as inventions in medicine and other comforts we enjoy
5.
Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
Smell after it rains, Mt Rainier, Ocean, Puget Sound, the smell of salty ocean water on a sunny day, sound of ground under feet when hiking, sound of river running when camping, wind through trees, warmth of sun on sandy beach, sound of silence when in a forest after it snows, smell of desert air, sunsets, sound of waves lapping on the shore, seasons,
6.
Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
Chance to spend time with both kids early in the morning while wife caught up on sleep, hot tea to settle an upset stomache, a job that allows me to have flexibility and spend time with family while providing so wife doesn’t have to work, a good wife who supports me and is a good mother to the kids, scripture study, exercising (P90X2!), internet to do my job and also have scripture study in the morning (and write this post!), health, gospel, texting, phones, supportive and friendly family
7.
Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.
Mt Rainier, temples, Puget Sound, Whistler ski resort (ski resorts in general), church buildings, my bedroom, my office, Switzerland (the Alps), Hawaii (Kaui particularly), Taiwan
8.
Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
Internet, Computer, TV, toilets, indoor heating, plumbing, roadways, airplanes, phones, books
9.
Write 10 foods you are grateful for.
Health shakes, eggs, turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes with lots of gravy, grilled salmon, halibut, turkey burgers, banannas, peaches, anything my wife cooks
10.
Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.
Hope it gives, strength it gives through trial, peace it brings, guidance it gives for all aspects of life, friendships found with other believers, healing it gives through repentance and forgiveness, light it brings to world, transformation it makes within my heart and others’ hearts, places it takes me through following God’s Spirit as I serve
I’m sure if I spent more time I could think of more things, but this is off the top of my head. I’m looking forward to seeing your list in the comment section!
