Touch the rock wall every day

At the end of the Takapuna Beach is the big rock wall.   I see many walkers touch the wall as they turn to walk back to the beginning.  That has become my half-way ritual.  Touch the wall every day.

The work is beginning to pick up.  The lock down is over and people, including missionaries, are beginning to return to a kind of “normalcy.”  Social distancing and frequent hand washing is still the order of the day but malls, restaurants, work and school is up and running.

The missionaries are not doing any street contacting nor door knocking but they can go to homes if invited for lessons and dinners.  Gatherings must be limited to no more than 10 people.

I have been working yesterday and today to organize flu vaccinations for the missionaries.  I have a good start at it but still much organization and arrangements/scheduling to be done.  I do like to be busy and feel productive!

I was talking with a missionary a couple of days ago.  This missionary was struggling with lack of motivation and feeling rather down.  In our conversation, we discussed having an attitude of gratitude.   There have been numerous studies, papers and books written about gratitude and how being grateful can increase our happiness, give us better mental health, and even make us healthier physically.

One article I read was published by Harvard Medical School.  This is just a small portion of the article:

“Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power. 

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. 

Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis.

Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person's impact on your life. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself. 

Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual. 

Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you've received each day.

Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you. 

Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude. 

Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as "peace"), it is also possible to focus on what you're grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.).”

If you would like to read this article in full, you can do so HERE.

I recently read a talk given in the April 2014 General Conference by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf titled Grateful in Any Circumstances.

Here are a few excerpts:

“Over the years, I have had the sacred opportunity to meet with many people whose sorrows seem to reach the very depths of their soul. In these moments, I have listened to my beloved brothers and sisters and grieved with them over their burdens. I 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, even abandon, what they once knew to be true. 

Sooner or later, I believe that all of us experience times when the very fabric of our world tears at the seams, leaving us feeling alone, frustrated, and adrift. 

It can happen to anyone. No one is immune. 

Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious. 

We can be grateful! 

It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding. 

As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things,” to “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,” and to “let [our] heart be full of thanks unto God.” 

Brothers and sisters, have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves? 

Do we need any greater reason to let our hearts “be full of thanks unto God”? 

“Have we not great reason to rejoice?” 

How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues. 

The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.””

I know that I have talked about gratitude many times in my previous blogs, but I can’t express enough my gratitude for all I have.   I am happy!! My list is long but I will share just a few things for which I am grateful:  My Savior and His sacrifice, Atonement and resurrection.   Kay (my husband), my children and grandchildren.

The opportunity to serve a mission.   My eyes to see the beauty around me.  My ears to hear the birds’ song.   My feet/legs to take me for a walk.    My good health. 

Here in the mission my friends include Sister Lucas, Elder and Sister Mayberry, and Elder and Sister McMurray

Every day is a new bright day.  The gratitude list is endless!!

The weather here has been fabulous this week.  I have been able to enjoy the beauties of the beach for which I am grateful.

I see people walking and playing with their dogs every day at the beach.   One day this week was a first.
First time I ever saw a man walking his goats and dog on the beach.  What fun!!

Thursday morning sunrise over the tops of the buildings as I left my flat for the beach.

Sunrise on the beach.  This week we chose to walk in the early mornings.

Along the walk to the beach I pass may beautiful flowers and gardens.

Sister Lucas shared these two pics of the sea.  I particularly like the colors.
The pictures almost look like paintings.

Beach art

I admire the shells on the rocks.  These shells are attached on a vertical wall.  There are flat shells
and other shells caught in the barnacles.  I am amazed at how firmly the barnacles are attached.
It would take quite a bit of leverage to remove them.

I did a Google search about  barnacles when I got home.  Thought I would share my interesting findings:

“Barnacles don't move once they settle down as a tiny larvae on their chosen surface. There is a hole at the top of the hard shell.  At low tide, the hole at the top of the shell is tightly closed by a pair of plates to reduce water loss.”

You may read about barnacles and other shell life in this article if you wish:

Another thing that always amazes me about the beach is the tides.  A week ago after a huge full moon, the tide was the lowest I had ever seen.  I know that the moon and sun have an effect on the tide but if you would like to read about it, you may do so here.

Here are a couple of pics I gleaned from Facebook and from an email sent by a friend.

I like to share pics of my favorite meals!

I am grateful for books and for being able to read.  I thought this a cleaver use of book titles.

I hope that you will have a wonderful week full of gratitude, good health, and happiness.

I love my Savior.  I love you my family and friends.