gratitude

Choosing to Seek the Good

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

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My Daily Musings-August 31st, 2026

“Happiness isn’t that hard to find, you know. It’s everywhere. It’s all around us. But it’s not something that happens to us. It’s something we seek. It’s something we pursue.” From The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh.

I really like this quote from that book. I firmly believe that if we look for the negatives in our lives then we will find them. The opposite is also true: that if we look for the positives in our lives then we will find them. We will find what we seek. If we spend our time discouraged and depressed about our lives all the time, then we won’t feel much hope to get out of those feelings.

If we have a good attitude and are happy about our lives, then we will find more happiness in others and in the world around us. We will be more grateful for the blessings we have in our lives, and those things will help us be happy.

I used to believe that people around me could make me upset or happy. I have realized over the last few years that, while I can’t control everything that happens around me, I can choose how I respond to it. If I create a happy and grateful life, then I will be happy and feel grateful for my blessings.

I realize that not every day is an easy day. I have days when I get in a bad mood or when my blessings seem far away. But when those days happen, I try to get myself out of my bad mood as soon as I can. I prefer to be happy and grateful for my blessings. I think most of us are like that.

What do you find yourself looking for most in your life: the negatives or the positives? What is one thing you can do today to seek happiness and gratitude?

The Gift of True Friendship

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My Daily Musings-August 28th, 2026

“True friends are always together in spirit.” L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I have loved those novels since I was a teenager, and watching the movies added to my love for the books. I have been thinking about this quote because one of my best friends is moving to another state. I’m glad that we have good technology that will allow us to stay in touch with each other. But it’s still hard because she won’t be close by if I need her.

I have moved many times in my life; most of the time, it was to a different state in the USA. Each time was hard because I was leaving behind friends. I have noticed that true friends keep in contact with one another.

I don’t like saying goodbye to dear friends. Those moments are always so hard. This friend has been like a second mother to me, so I will really miss her. She and I both felt drawn to each other, and we both knew we were going to be good friends from the moment we started talking with one another. Those kinds of friends seem to stick because of the deep connection you share.

I’m grateful to all of the friends I have made and stayed in contact with along my journey in this life. You have all helped me through some difficult times and I appreciate you for all you have given me. We can all be a blessing in the lives of others. I have always believed that we are meant to be friends with some people because of similar experiences we have or lessons we can learn from each other.

We should never feel alone, even if we are far away from family and friends. Our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, are the truest and best friends we can ever have. They are always there for us.

Have you ever had a friendship that remained strong even when distance separated you? How have you felt Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ beside you during a season when you felt far away from the people you love?

The Power of Living in the Present

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My Daily Musings-June 20th, 2026

Patricia Holland once said, “Eliminate all ‘would haves,’ ‘should haves,’ and ‘if onlys.’ What has happened is past and finished. Leave it there. Profound power will come in living in the present.”

I love this quote because it’s so easy to spend time wishing things had turned out differently. We all have moments, choices, and circumstances we wish we could change. But when we focus too much on the past, we can miss the blessings that are right in front of us today.

The past is finished. While we can learn from it, we don’t have to live there. Choosing gratitude for what we have now helps us embrace the present and find joy in the life God has given us today.

Are there any “would haves,” “should haves,” or “if onlys” that you need to let go of? What blessings in your life right now deserve more of your attention and gratitude?

The Privilege of Being Alive

/ Christine Maynor / 1 Comment

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My Daily Musings-June 18th, 2026

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to live—then make that day count!” — Steve Maraboli

I try to live my life with gratitude every day. Some days, especially when my health isn’t good, that’s easier said than done. Living with chronic illness means accepting limitations and navigating pain and fatigue that often affect what I can and cannot do.

Yet despite those challenges, I still have so much to be grateful for. This quote reminds me that every morning is a gift. Every day I wake up is another opportunity to breathe, to think, to love, to learn, and to experience life’s blessings—even in an imperfect body.

I want to become better at beginning each day with gratitude, focusing less on what my body cannot do and more on the precious privilege of being alive.

What are you most grateful for when you wake up each morning? How might your day be different if gratitude was your first thought before anything else?

Gratitude For the Journey

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My Daily Musings-June 11th, 2026

Shakespeare once said, “I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs. Life is full of blessings, sometimes we don’t value it.”

This quote reminds me that there is always someone facing challenges I may not see. When I recognize the hardships of others, it helps me become more grateful for the blessings in my own life.

At the same time, I have learned that we shouldn’t dismiss our own struggles. Every person carries different burdens, and the trials we face can feel heavy because we live with them every day. Comparing suffering rarely helps. Instead, perhaps we can choose both gratitude for our blessings and compassion for ourselves and others.

What blessings might you be overlooking today? And how can you show yourself the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to someone else facing a difficult trial?