Today in Primary, I challenged my class to write down 5 things that they are grateful for every day. This exercise is a great way to help remember our blessings.
In class we filled a teacup with glass beads, one for each thing we were grateful for. As expected, they listed the big ones, family, gospel, the Atonement, church, friends etc.
One boy, D. was struggling to think of things to be grateful for. The child before him had mentioned that she was grateful for her mom and dad. His father is currently serving in Iraq and he was a bit upset. I gently reminded him that his dad calls to talk to him. His eyes lit up a bit and he threw in his bead and said he was grateful for his phone. I reminded the kids that we don't have to be grateful for just big things, but the little things too.
They laughed when I told them I was grateful for toilets, but quickly saw my point! They were grateful for favorite foods, air conditioned cars (in Texas that's a big one!), and even clean underwear!
I'm interested in seeing what their lists are like for the following week and in the spirit of setting an example, I'm listing 5 things I'm grateful for. (I'll skip the big, obvious ones like family and God and get down to little ones)
1. My computer. I spend a lot of time here working, relaxing and keeping in touch with those far away. My life would be a lot different without such a great tool.
2. The GPS in my van. I'm stressing about my trip to see my sister and that is one tiny part that I'm not too worried about!
3. The military health care system. In spite of it's flaws....I can see a Dr pretty quickly whenever I need to. This includes my PCM, who is amazing and wonderful. I think she is fantastic and it's a shame I only see her when something is wrong!
4. The internet. I know this goes along with #1 but I love reading my friend's blogs and knowing how they are doing. I'm pretty bad at writing letters and calling. (except Tresa!) So this helps me maintain contact with those I care about.
5. Debit Cards. I hate to carry a big purse. I can carry a tiny little case with a few cards, my keys and my phone. No change purse or wallet with checks and a pen and junk filling it up...I can keep it simple. Dumb reason, I know, but hey, this is my list!
So I encourage you to join me. Put a comment here if you want to try and do this for a week, then post your 5 on your blog! I'll be watching!
I'll still one more on here...RSS feeds. I love opening ONE page and seeing what updates are on all 84 (yeah, 84) feeds!
My mom is always encouraging me to keep a gratitude journal, especially when I am feeling down! As for your primary lesson, isn't it funny that we, the teachers, usually learn more from the lessons than the students do?!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I like that story about the kid in your class... so sweet. I'd love to do this for a week. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeletethis would be a great week for me to list things i'm grateful for. i just dropped the hubby off at the airport to be gone for a week. i know, i know. yours was gone for much MUCH longer than a week. but mine hasn't had to travel much in the past and I just struggle with the 3 young kids all alone. anyway, i'll try to be grateful this week. and I guess I can start by being grateful that my husband in only gone for a week and not a year or more.
ReplyDeleteThere are many things for us to be grateful for...if "D" is my D then he wouldn't be grateful for the phone because communication has been very limited for us thus far.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for the Holy Ghost because he is able to comfort all of us when communication is spare with daddy, we know through the peaceful feelings that daddy is ok..that's the best phone line we have...
I'm in!
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