With General Conference this past weekend, I've had a lot of time to think. For me the main points that stuck out were: gratitude, self-improvement, and love for yourself and for others. I struggle with all of these sadly, but luckily I can try to be better everyday. President Uchtdorf's talk was all about gratitude. I always feel like his talks are meant just for me. He always touches on a problem, or question, that I have and totally hits it on the head. All the speakers during conference really help me, but I feel most in tune with Pres. Uchtdorf. In his talk what really stood out to me was how being grateful for our trials will help us overcome temptation and tribulation. "Gratitude is a catalyst to Christlike happiness" he said this several times, and I've come to realize that he is right. Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you think about trials that you've had in the past, you become grateful because they made you who you are as a person and nothing can change that? Yeah, me too! Our trials and successes, our ups and downs make us who we are today, and we need to be thankful for it all. I know it can be hard, being thankful for something that causes us distress, and uneasiness. Just remember that in the times that are the hardest our Savior is right by our side, holding our hand telling us we can do it. That's what need to be grateful for! In times of heartache, that is when our Savior is walking side by side with us. We need to thank him for that and the fact that we are becoming stronger, and happier. Obviously we won't be instantly happy, but saying a quick prayer of gratitude can make a world of difference. I struggle with this too because in trials in when we feel the most alone. But in trials that is when we are most comforted. I know it's hard, and doesn't seem to make sense, but I know that it is true. Pray for strength, love, happiness, charity, help, but mostly pray with gratitude.
Until next time,
-O
