Ten Things of Thankful

This my effort to post my Ten Things of Thankful closer to the time the link opens instead of being one of the last bloggers to post to this wonderful blog hop hosted by Kristi Brierley of Thankful Me each week. 

Things that are interesting to me - Some plants react in the same way regardless of whether they receive too much water or not enough  water. The tips of the leaves on a peace plant will turn brown whether they are watered too much or too little. This is kind of like tears in humans. An absence of attention and love may cause a person of any age to cry, but on the other hand, an abundance of attention and love may cause a person to also tear up. What interesting thing did you consider this past week?

Walls with pictures - Until we owned our own home, I didn’t hang any pictures on the walls. Once we were able to live in a home we owned, that changed. Being able to hang photos and pictures that remind us of family, places we have been, and of beautiful scenes helps make a house a home. Do you prefer blank walls in your home, or do you prefer hanging things on your walls?

Teeth - I am thankful to live in a time when people who have been able to take good care of their teeth may be able to keep their own teeth, or most of them, the majority of their lives, if not their entire lives. There have been so many advancements in the field of dentistry, that even if one isn’t able to keep their own teeth, the options are so much better now. On a side note, my mom is drawing close to 102 years of age and still has most of her original teeth.

Food - I don't take lightly the fact that we have food to eat, especially given the fact that not everyone is that fortunate, due to their own circumstances. Being able to contribute in whatever manner one can to helping improve the situations of those who are starving can help in a small way to take away the guilt that arises from sitting down to your own meals each day.

Letters and cards with notes - I look forward to the letters and cards that we receive this time of year, or at any other time of the year for that matter. Sometimes we learn of happy things that have happened in the lives of our friends and relatives, and other times the news mentions things that are sad, but we appreciate that these people are comfortable enough to share these intimate details of their lives with us.

Part of life is mourning with those who mourn.

Romans 12:15  says "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” KJV New Testament
Here is a link with a quote from Mosiah 18:8-9 in the Book of Mormon that also mentions the importance of mourning with those who mourn.
Click to read this article about differences in mourning practices around the world. The article was written by a 14 year old girl in 2012 and was originally published in KidSpirit. It was recently reposted with permission in the Huffington Post. It is very well written.

Podcasts - Just about every time I drive to see mom, I listen to a podcast in the car. I love using this time to learn. This week I listened to NPR Radio Lab, TED Talk, Circular that presents new ideas to consider about regenerating and reusing what we already have. Some interesting concepts were shared.

Being able to feel warm even though the temperatures have dropped - Especially in the winter, having warm soft socks, sweaters, and large sweatshirts that I can layer over other clothing is a blessing. It isn't just clothing that makes me feel warm. Music that has a wonderful message and that is beautifully played and sung warms my heart.

Those who rejoice in the greatness of the hearts of others, and give them the benefit of the doubt - This is such an important attribute in any relationship and in society as a whole.

The many people who help children and adults have better lives - Teachers, counselors, health care workers, those who work in law enforcement, those who work in fire departments or work on fire suppression crews help society immeasurably and at times at the expense of their own health and well being. I appreciate the hours my husband spent as a teacher for so many years. Before we were married he spent some summers working for a fire suppression crew to earn money to pay for his college expenses.

It is not just adults who can help others have better lives. This young man has a desire to help too.

Those who share their experiences of what it is like to travel to far away places - There are many people who have the means to travel to other countries and to serve the people there in some way. I appreciate being able to experience their travels vicariously through YouTube, Facebook, etc. and to have my mind and heart opened to those things I might not have been able to begin to know and understand short of being there myself. Recently Kristi Brierley, our host for this blog hop, invited a friend to be a guest blogger on her site, Thankful Me. Click here to read about her friend Krista's experience of traveling with her family to Ethiopia to serve the people in that area. What a memorable trip she and her family had that Christmas. Click here to read more about the Korah Kids they met and served.