Over the years, I have had several opportunities to meet with people whose sorrows seem to reach the very depths of their soul.  I often have pondered what to say to them, and I have struggled to know how to comfort and support them in their trials.

Often their grief is caused by what seems to them as an ending.  Some are facing the end of a cherished relationship, such as the death of a loved one or estrangement from a family member.  Others feel they are facing the end of hope—the hope of being married or bearing children or overcoming an illness.  Others may be facing the end of their faith, as confusing and conflicting voices in the world tempt them to question, and even abandon, what they once knew to be true.

Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique.  Nevertheless, I have learned that there is one thing we can do to make life sweeter and more joyful: we can Be Grateful!

Perhaps you, too, have seen in your life the connection between a grateful heart and happiness. However, being grateful can be a great challenge for us because we have a tendency to take good things for granted.  Yet, when we lose a roof over our heads, food to eat, or the warmth of friends and family, we realize how grateful we should have been when we had them.

Especially in times of trial or disappointment, we need to reflect on our blessings.  As the old hymn states, “Count you many blessings, name them one by one.” Though you may not be grateful for your suffering, you will find that your grateful heart will bear your burdens more easily.

I urge you to choose to be grateful.  We can make the choice to give thanks in prayer and to ask God for direction to serve others for Him—especially during this time of year when we celebrate the Savior and Redeemer’s birth.  Offering a prayer of thanks can allow us to see the magnitude of this great blessing, and all of our other blessings, and so receive the gift of a more grateful heart.

This Thanksgiving, take the Gratitude Challenge:  Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for.  If that sounds like too much, try this:

  1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for
  2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for
  3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for
  4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for
  5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for
  6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for
  7. Write 10 foods you are grateful for
  8. Write 10 places on Earth you are grateful for
  9. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for
  10. Write 10 things about your faith, religion, or God you are grateful for

This year we have published a little booklet of some of my favorite holiday recipes – Confessions from a Dietitian’s Kitchen. Today’s recipe comes from that book, which is available on our website.  If you are still looking for that perfect holiday dessert to feed a crowd, this is my favorite version of pumpkin pie: Pumpkin Bars!