<p><i>Mormon

Insights</i>
<br>Erin Steenblik
<br>Word Count (total): 410</p>

<p><b>Title:</b> Gratitude: A Heavenly Gift</p>

<p><b>Kicker (less than 125 characters)</b></p>

<p>Once we recognize God as the source of all blessings, we can begin to find the
peace we&rsquo;re seeking.</p>

<p><b>Synopsis (242 words)</b></p>

<p>If you&rsquo;re looking for a way to live in the present, decrease stress, and
increase overall well-being, here&rsquo;s a simple suggestion: say thank you. In an
<a href=http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2072>address</a> given at
Brigham Young University, Ray L. Huntington shares his thoughts on how the power
of gratitude can bless our lives in numerous ways.</p>

<p>In citing a recent study, Huntington points out that developing a mindset of
gratitude and thankfulness can result in lower levels of stress, lower incidents of
health concerns, and higher levels of overall life satisfaction. He also quotes David
Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, in saying that &ldquo;[t]he root of joy is
gratefulness.&hellip;It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us
joyful.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Gratitude, Huntington says, is a mindset, an attitude that one can either cultivate
or neglect. A person can choose to see either the negative aspects of a situation
(what they lack) or they can choose to see the positive (what they still have).
Huntington recognizes that changing our perspective can be difficult, but we can do
it if we first recognize God, not ourselves, as the source of all our earthly
blessings.</p>

<p>By drawing closer to God and becoming more thankful, Huntington says, not
only can we find the good in our lives each day, but we can also live new lives of joy
and fulfillment. &ldquo;As I have tried to live with a humble heart,&rdquo; he says,
&ldquo;I have felt the divine, experienced Gods love, and been
humbled.&rdquo;</p>

<p><i>Read Ray L. Huntington&rsquo;s full address, &ldquo;<a
href=http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2072>
A Grateful Heart.</a>&rdquo;</i></p>

<p><b>Pull Quotes (Optional)</b>

<p>&ldquo;Gratitude may help people appreciate the gifts of the moment and
experience freedom from past regrets and future anxieties.&rdquo; &ndash;
Thomas S. Monson</p>

<p>&ldquo;Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it
also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God&rsquo;s love.&rdquo;
&ndash; Thomas S. Monson</p>

<p>Sometimes living in the future can produce just enough noise to miss the still,
small voice of gratitude we could find in the present moment. &ndash; Ray L.
Huntington</p>

<p><b>Expandable Summary (Optional)</b></p>

<p><b>Source Information</b></p>
<ul>

<li>http://www.speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=2072</li>

<li>Huntington, Ray L. &ldquo;A Grateful Heart.&rdquo; BYU Devotional
Address. Brigham Young University. Provo, 02 October 2012.
</ul>

<p><b>Additional Outside Information (Optional)</b></p>

<p><b>Byline</b></p>

<p>&mdash; Erin Steenblik, <i>Mormon Insights</i></p>

<p><b>Graphics and Metadata (Optional)</b></p>
<ul>

<li>Picture of Ray L. Huntington</li>
</ul>