simple things.

     I'll always remember, in my very first semester of college, one of my professors shared something that impacted me. She explained that in her early twenties she lost both parents, suffered serious health issues and various other life struggles. Honestly, she told our class that she stumbled into negative thinking and constant grumbling. When she woke each morning, she thought "Ugh, another awful day ahead. Nothing good ever happens to me." After time passed, she decided to change her negative attitude. She chose to view life differently - in a positive perspective. She said she became tired of viewing life negatively. Yes, she'd experienced hardship, pain, and severe suffering - yet, she decided to take control of her attitude. So she chose to wake up each morning and say, "Today is going to be a beautiful day! Something wonderful might happen!" Practically, she decided to memorize scriptures on thankfulness. And she bought a journal that she filled each day with at least 4 or 5 things she was grateful for. Her words and example impacted me. At the time, I bought a small notebook and those first years in college before I went to bed each night, I wrote a few things down in that notebook - things I was thankful for. Some days, I wrote big things like "faithful friends" or "provision to pay my school bill" and some days, all I could come up with were small things like "chai lattes" or "my new jeans." Sadly, I wandered away from the habit of practicing this thankfulness daily and recently started writing down my daily "thankful list" again. I'm amazed at what an impact this small act has on my thinking.

 Friend, we cannot control what happens in our life. But we can control our attitude, our response, our perspective. We can control how we live our lives, how we think, and how we act. I encourage you this Monday start of the week: take a moment and write down at least 4 or 5 things you are grateful for. We all have blessings, however small they may be. Simple things, little things - they are beautiful. Remember your blessings today along with me.

Be blessed, sweet one!

XO

Erin