Thanksgiving Perspective

This Thanksgiving season I've thought of what I'm grateful for. One thing that comes to mind is perspective. People have different opinions and different ideas on what's right, what's wrong, what is valuable, what isn't, the meaning of different things, etc. As I've studied the gospel of Jesus Christ, gained an education and learned through life experiences, I'm grateful for the perspective I've developed on a few ideals.

1. The Morals I Uphold. As I've worked with people on public assistance as a workshop facilitator, I've twice been congratulation on having made it to the age of 23 without conceiving any children out of wedlock. They have been genuinely celebratory of the fact that I have somehow managed not to get pregnant. This blew my mind and it made me grateful for the understanding that I have on the importance of being chaste and morally clean. I am grateful for the perspective and understanding of morals.



2. The Value and Nature of Children. Children are an heritage of the Lord (Psalms 127:3). I'd like to interpret this to mean that the children that we receive on this earth are loaners/gifts from Heavenly Father and that we are entrusted with their care while on this earth. If we remembered that every day it would motivate us to be be more loving, more patient, more caring? I believe we need to be more understanding of children's emotions just as Heavenly Father is with us. When we are sad and confused about trials in our lives it is because we lack understanding. Heavenly Father knows all and sees "the big picture" but He does not diminish or brush off the suffering we go through because we do not understand. He listens to us, comforts us, helps us to find the correct path and guides us through life. We should do the same with our children. (http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Emotionally-Intelligent-Child-Gottman/dp/0684838656) I am grateful for perspective and understanding on the value and nature of children.

These are only two of many ideals I have come to understand and hope to remember on a day to day basis so that they become or remain part of my character. I think sometimes there is dissonance between those two things....the ideals we hold and our daily actions. They don't always match up but I think that's why we are given each new day with an opportunity to exercise our agency.