Thankfulness & Gratitude

Earlier this year, I felt as if my life was an old "Hee Haw" song -

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me;

deep, dark depression, excessive misery.

If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Gloom, despair, and agony on me."

I was asked to speak on gratitude in church last Sunday, and in that talk I mentioned the post from earlier this month, which has made such a difference in my life:

As some of you may know, earlier this year I was falling victim to a debilitating illness known as depression. I was depressed over many things for a long time, and it was getting the best of me. Medication helped with some of the symptoms, such as insomnia and over eating, but even my doctor had told me, the pills will not be a cure. Losing my job only made things worse, as I focused so much on what I didn't have or couldn't do. Things did begin to change, however, first, as I provided comfort to a dear friend who had recently lost her mother. I also was able to be more active in assisting my parents, and by doing so, had less time to worry about my own problems. But the real road to recovery for me began when I was asked this question : "What if tomorrow morning, you woke up with only those things you thanked Heavenly Father for last night?" Each morning as I think back on that moment, I am amazed at just how blessed I really am! As we sing, "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." Recognizing those blessings, and expressing gratitude for them, has led me to an incredible feeling of peace, comfort, and joy!