The Month of Gratitude

Jacquie Here!
It's officially November! And we all know that November is the month of Gratitude. :)


With Thanksgiving hastily approaching, I just keep thinking about what I'm most thankful for this year..

Let's get serious for a minute...
At the beginning of this semester; upon returning back to Flagstaff after spending a wonderful, blissful, and FUN entire Summer in Seattle with friends and family, I was faced with a lot of REALLY difficult experiences, lessons, and trials. I think it's safe to say that the period from August through early-October this year was probably the lowest and most burdensome of my short life yet. Now, I know that sounds dramatic. But I honestly felt like I had such an AMAZING summer, then I came back to nothing but blow after blow after blow of bad stuff. It seemed to all come at once. And just when I thought I had NO breaking point, I broke. Emotional breakdowns were a daily activity for me. Life was just not fair. I didn't know how to handle it because I always thought I was the kind of person who could take anything graciously and not let it affect me to such a point. Oh how wrong I was. I was SO worn out. Just DONE. I was experiencing so much physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual strain all at once and I gotta say, it was quite detrimental to my health - in ALL of those aspects. We're talking pain here.

Now my point here is not to get pity from anyone. Just giving you some background.

Anyway, THANK THE HOLY HEAVENS that period of my life is O.V.E.R. I lived. I survived. I overcame. I picked up the broken pieces, thanks to the help of some really awesome people in my life. Like my dad. And my mom. And my siblings. And my roommates. And an amazing best friend. And new friends. And lots of other people.. And I NEVER in ten-trillion years thought I would say this (It's even hard to say it now, actually) .. But I am thankful for that learning period in my life. And now that it's November, the month of Gratitude, I guess I can get myself to admit that. Yes, I struggled and cried and hurt, but more than anything, I LEARNED.

I learned about patience.
I learned that a proper amount of sleep is CRUCIAL.
I learned that I, in fact, DO have a breaking point.
I learned that it's okay to stop pretending like everything is butterflies and rainbows.
I learned how to focus on my school work through all of it.
I learned the importance of setting priorities.
I learned that it IS possible to get out of bed and go to school and church and apply for job after job after job when I'd much rather stay in bed and just die.
I learned to love others in different ways.
I learned APPRECIATION.
I learned not to judge.
I learned that Passion Herbal Tea sweetened with Agave nectar heals.
I learned how to cry in front of people.
I learned that I need to be better at remembering that the Savior went through everything I've gone through and MORE - He understands and He is always there!
And above all.. I learned humility - Not an easy thing to learn. Trust me.

So I guess what I'm trying to say here is that what I am most thankful for as the year comes to an end is for trials that make me stronger. For the love of the people in my life. And for learning experiences - no matter how tough they may seem at the moment. I'm thankful for LOTS of other things too, but right now, this just sticks out in my mind.

If you are experiencing any extreme lows in your life right now, just know that one day, whether you like it or not, you WILL be thankful for these experiences. You're learning. Just get through it and "come off conqueror" (Doctrine & Covenants 10:5).

Someone gave a talk at church on Sunday and they read this quote.. I just LOVED it and it is so true, so I'm passing it on to YOU!

"There is no comfort in a growing zone & no growing in a comfort zone."
-Unknown

Today, I feel happy. REALLY happy! And it feels great. That's another thing I am grateful for - that I went through those experiences and now am able to appreciate even the smallest amount of happiness! :)

What are you grateful for today??
tell me. :)

Out,
Jacquie.