Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
I recently lectured at a dental event in Toronto where a dentist came up to me at the conclusion and said, “Throughout your lecture I was curious about your label pin. I was wondering what it was because I couldn’t see it from the audience. Is that a cheese grater?!”
I replied, “Yes, and it says ‘GRATEFUL.’ It reminds me to be grateful.”
She asked me if she could take a photo of it. I replied, “Of course, if you’ll share the photo with me!”, which she did, and it’s posted here.
Nothing more quickly changes my state of mind than “thinking grateful.” It calms my heart.
The lyrics from a popular Mormon hymn include:
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Simple and profound.
There are few secrets in life. I believe this is one of them.
