Gratitude: The Secret to Conquer in a World of Commotion

The month of November is dedicated to the Core Value of Gratitude at MTN OPS, and we invite you to join us in recognizing all that we have truly been blessed with this month.

As I reflect upon our core value statement, it reads:

“Gratitude for both our successes and our challenges helps us have joy in our current circumstances while facilitating our growth and progress toward an even brighter future.”

We live in a world that often feels like it is in commotion. Information races faster than truth. Opinions are louder than understanding. And sometimes, it seems like division and contention have become the default settings of society. You see it in our communities, online, and even in our own families.

It is easy to get caught up in the noise, to feel anxious about what is next, and to focus on what is wrong instead of what is right. But I believe there is a secret recipe to pushing past all of this, and that is Gratitude.

Gratitude changes everything. It shifts our focus from fear to faith, from scarcity to abundance, and from frustration to peace. When we choose to be grateful, even in hardship, we open the door to joy.

Russell M. Nelson once shared a message that deeply resonated with me:

“Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription.”

During a challenging season of my life, I learned this truth firsthand. I remember standing in a grocery store one evening with my young daughter by my side. My card kept declining, and though I knew we did not have much in the bank, I was still overcome with embarrassment. The kind lady at the register looked upon me with great love and understanding, sensing exactly what was happening and the humility I was feeling.

I told her I would run home, grab some money, and be right back. She smiled and said, “That would be great, but take the groceries with you and take care of your children, who need what you are buying.”

Her kindness took me aback. I could walk out with the groceries without shame. On the drive home, I told my daughter about the goodness of that woman. We went through our coin jar, counting every penny until we had enough to cover the bill. I placed the coins in a small ziplock bag and drove back to the store.

When I found the kind woman, I handed her the bag and said, “Here is the money I owe.” She smiled again and said, “I already took care of your bill. Keep the money and go take care of your beautiful family.”

I was speechless. My gratitude for the goodness of people grew that night.

So often, those around us are so much better than we give them credit for. There is so much good all around us. We just need to look for it, especially within the walls of our own homes. When we look for and recognize the good, we look for and recognize God. Because all good comes from Him, and a spirit of seeking the good brings about a spirit of Gratitude in our lives.

"Peace, be still" comes from an attitude of gratitude, a heart and mind focused on God, who brings about peace and good in each of our lives.

As Russel M. Nelson also taught,

“The more we express gratitude, the more we will find to be grateful for.”

This November, let us choose to see the good. Let us thank the people around us. Let us slow down enough to notice God’s hand in both the blessings and the challenges.

Gratitude does not just make life better, it makes us better.