Humbled

“When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives." --Gordon B. Hinckley


As I sat around the table with some friends this past week, I was called on to say what I am thankful for.
We always play this game when my roommate is around, and I tease her about it, but I secretly love it.

I have been dealing with some crazy stuff lately and it seems to go on and on and on, but I have had reason to pause and be grateful.  The more I learn about this world, the more I study my place in it, the more humbled I feel about the life I have been blessed to lead.  No matter the "hard" things I have to go through.
All the hard things, as tough as they may feel, are really blessings in disguise.

Its cliche, but I love to write down my big list of "thankfuls."

In no particular order, and by no means an exhaustive list:

I am thankful for...
-Ample food, clothing, shelter, and basics.
-Luxuries far beyond what I deserve.
-A job that keeps me on my toes in all kinds of ways.
-A big beautiful family who loves me.
-Citizenship in a country that doesn't do things perfectly, but provides freedoms, liberties, and responsibilities found in abundance.
-The friends I have been blessed to know and have. There are so many.
-Good people who remind me of the kind of person I want to become.
-An education that continues to expand as my life goes on.
-Hardships, trials, lost love, broken hearts, disappointments, dark days, and frustrations.  Because without them, I wouldn't be as strong as I am today.
-The chance to travel and see the world from so many perspectives.
-Opportunities to fulfill the longings of my heart and soul in humanitarian work.
-My parents' guidance and training in my life.
-Art, dance, and music.
-Modern technology.
-My sisters' friendships.
-The ability to feel so deeply and love so passionately.
-Personality traits that have kept me going in my life's work: perseverance, independence, straightforwardness, creativity, and steadfastness (which also means stubbornness).
-A really good memory.
-Books

When I really stop to consider the blessings I have been given, I am truly humbled and deeply touched by the love I have been shown.  I know I don't deserve these blessings any more than so many others, and yet I have been given these opportunities and blessings anyway.  I want to live up to the blessings I have been given, "For unto whomsoever^cmuch is ^dgiven, of him shall be much ^erequired..."