Is there a correlation between an attitude of gratitude, be it to God or our fellow Saints or just our fellow man in general, and the level of true humility we as individuals allow to exist within our being?
Are we meant to be islands with only tentative diplomatic relations with other islands, or does the Gospel teach something else?
What constitutes not having natural affection? Is it solely the concept of turning from heterosexual behavior (per most of the contextual references in the New Testament), or can it also mean the rejection of the traits to give or provide brotherly love and concern from and to those around us, imperfect as they and we may be?
Do we unwittingly reject spiritual gifts and blessings by belittling offers made by others through our ingratitude and/or inference(s) of condescending to them? Can we, as imperfect mortals, really condescend?
What are your thoughts?
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
I think there is a correllation. I think a truly grateful person can receive gifts graciously, because one understands from whence all these gestures of goodwill come, and the joy that comes from doing good to others.
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
I am very much an introvert, but I acknowledge the need to associate with other people, help bear their burdens, mourn with those that mourn, etc. I think that is very much a part of the love of men waxing cold. And in a Zion people, everyone should care about everyone else. It'd be hard to be of one heart otherwise.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
Cat Herder wrote:Is there a correlation between an attitude of gratitude, be it to God or our fellow Saints or just our fellow man in general, and the level of true humility we as individuals allow to exist within our being?
What are your thoughts?
I think we exhibit a mature form of humility when we can be sincerely happy about the successes of others--realizing that God blesses them as He blesses us.
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
Interesting. Could you elaborate on that idea, Ray? I've always thought the greatest tool we have against pride and prideful behaviour is gratitude... which includes giving freely and receiving graciously...
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
CH wrote: Interesting. Could you elaborate on that idea, Ray? I've always thought the greatest tool we have against pride and prideful behaviour is gratitude... which includes giving freely and receiving graciously... I agree... God the Father didn't say to Joseph, "This is my Beloved son, I am so proud of him." He said with gratitude, "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased".
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no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
I totally agree with Ray. There's even a hymn that says it! "When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done" (Hymn 241)
In high school I actually went through a pretty severe depression. In fact, if I didn't have the testimony I had then, I would have killed myself, or at least attempted a few times. For me, depression was a disease, where I could never be good enough no matter what anyone said. Even if a friend gave me a compliment, I thought they were just saying it so that they would look good showing pity on poor little me. What I wanted was gratitude and acknowledgement for the work I put forth and such, basically I was a prideful, rebellious teenager, and I let things not going my way turn into this deep hole that I just kept digging because I could never be good enough to be recognized.
Yeah, it doesn't really make sense, but it did to me then. What I learned was that I just had to find something to be happy about every day. In the mornings I would watch the sunrise and just appreciate the fact that they are so beautiful in Arizona, and make sure and thank Heavenly Father for such a beautiful world. That started it--I was on the upswing. Then I noticed that I had friends who were my friends no matter what and I wasn't even appreciating them and they were just trying to help me. Once I noticed that I realized I had a lot of friends, and I was so grateful.
Once I learned gratitude, I was able to learn more. I was able to learn patience, and a little bit more about true Charity. It gave me a dream about how great this world would be if everyone just showed a little more love, so I decided to try to let it start with me. I'm far from perfect, but now I'm happy more than not, and I can't remember the last time I fell asleep crying, which used to be a nightly thing.
My little quote of the day (from bookreporter.com) actually says this whole idea pretty well:
I have come to believe that giving and receiving are really the same. Giving and receiving --— not giving and taking. — Joyce Grenfell
Once we let pride and selfishness in, and destroy those bright beams of love (true gratitude is just showing love and appreciation for those around you), our life becomes dark.
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Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.
— Oscar Wilde
I've had my share (hah, as if) of dark days lately, and quite honestly, If I start by reminding myself of the things for which I am grateful, things just go better. My fears and concerns just don't seem to be that big a deal. I can't say I get more done, or that all my dreams come true, but I can live with myself. It's as though I know God hasn't given up on me, cuz I have these things for which to be grateful, and I think, "Well, fine... this too shall pass."
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Interesting. So, in some cases, discouragement and depression can be triggered by prideful thinking? I guess that makes some sense, in that it could be considered an environmental trigger. Therefore, part of the recovery from that would be the antithesis of pride, or gratitude and true humility. Interesting.
Here are a couple of quotes I have on my cube wall. How do they (or do they) tie in with the questions I put at the beginning?
"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." Pres. Boyd K. Packer
"A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world anxious to bless the whole human race." Joseph Smith, Jr.
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It seems to me the only thing you've learned is that Caesar is a "salad dressing dude."
no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing... the truth of God will go forth till it has penetrated every website, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done
rayb wrote: I've had my share (hah, as if) of dark days lately, and quite honestly, If I start by reminding myself of the things for which I am grateful, things just go better. My fears and concerns just don't seem to be that big a deal. I can't say I get more done, or that all my dreams come true, but I can live with myself. It's as though I know God hasn't given up on me, cuz I have these things for which to be grateful, and I think, "Well, fine... this too shall pass."
--Ray
I agree, that gratitude can be a great balm for temporary, situational depression. I'm not sure it is the panacea for all depression. I once had a bishop who stated, "Depression is caused by unrepented sin." Generalizations like that usually aren't true.
It probably would have been more accurate to say that unrepented sin can lead to depression. Not all depression is caused by unrepented sin. I knew a Stake President once who struggled with clinical depression. He lived the principles of true discipleship, as articulated so eloquently by Elder Maxwell, better than anyone I have ever met. My guess is that his medical condition wasn't caused by a load of unrepented sin.
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The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. - Julie Beck
I think you could use gratitude to combat pride. In that one doesn't typically thank God for things they did themselves, as much as one recognizes the source of their blessings comes from others and that they really are blessings.
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
I was so impressed by this topic that I decided to teach my FHE lesson last night on it.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
That's funny arb. My daughter chose this topic as her lesson too. Although she got her ideas from seminary instead of Bountiful.
It was a pretty good discussion. My other daughter shared that when she says "please" and "Thank you" the lunch ladies smile and give her bigger peices of pizza.
Nothing melts my heart as a Daddy than one of my children expressing true gratitude... And if my daughters ever caught onto this I'd probably end up in the poor house for all the stuff I'd try to get them. :)
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
I am so grateful that my family is happy, healthy (well everyone except me, but that what really matters)... not to mention... most, are faithful in the gospel.
On this forum I have talked about our unusual "extended" family unit. Last evening some of "my kids" gathered here... they shared in what I like to call an "impromptu testimony session". There were actually only a few here... but the spirit was so strong, and they all shared with each other experiences with prayers and challenges that they lately have gotten answers about... It was amazing. My internal tears were flowing freely, although I managed to keep them to myself, mostly. As I drifted off to sleep last night I was comforted my knowing that currently at the very least these children are walking in faith.
They EACH expressed gratitude for the rest of the family, especially their adopted brothers and sisters, and the support that they have felt over the years from having a "haven" to escape from the peer pressures of the world in... I have to admit that caused me no small amount of humble-gratitude for the Lord's hand in guiding some of these spirits to us. My heart is so full of love for them.
As far as my birth children... I am SO grateful for them too... and their influence in MY life... They help ME be a better person!
I like the concept of gratitude because it's something entirely inside yourself. It's never the objects of your gratitude that matter, but how it changes your own self. You have complete control.
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
Does a person choose to have gratitude, or is it something they just feel?
I think it's a matter of choice. One of my challenges in life has been to praise God even when things just don't seem to be going that well... I think it's helpful (though it's a simple Primary children' s concept) to remember to give thanks in every prayer.
Also HOW do you show/have gratitude to God--meaning rather than just saying "Thank you for my job, thank you for this day..." which is rote in most prayers, how do you really mean it?
--Ray
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
I think sometimes you get a -whoosh- feel of gratitude but for the most part, it's a state of mind. You can feel like you have what you need, you have abundance, or you can be constantly looking out for what you don't have (see coco's mom).
I think one way to show gratitude to God is not to focus on the things of the world, when you have sufficient for your needs, you get off that subject and set about doing the work of the Kingdom.
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
