GIVING THANKS IS THE BEGINNING OF HAPPINESS Today is a very good time to write on the subject of giving thanks. I started my morning out with negative statements to my husband before he left for work. Sometimes I wish I could say when things bother me, but instead I hold to them and when my husband has forgot-ten I bring the subject up. Men and women think different about certain subjects, and this difference in thoughts is what causes friction. So usually the husband thinking about work and other logical ideas get irritated, and leaves for work to avoid a fight. Now this might seem the best way out of a conflict, but it’s not. Once an eightyfive year old woman told me to never leave home angry with my husband, or vice verse; forty years later she was regreting not having a chance to thank her husband, or make up after a big fight, before he left for military duty; of course, he never returned. "Honey always make up with each other and love one another every day and one minute of this short life is too precious to throw away arguing." Those words have caused me to stop arguing often and began to thank my husband for being all that I ever hoped for in a man. Being thankful also causes my husband to calm down and be thankful I am all he ever wanted in a wife. Thinking of our mortality and giving thanks to each other has helped us enjoy life together and be patient with one another. Being thankful is humbling and moves pride out of our way. This same principle applies to communicating with God. Giving thanks was important to every great man or woman of God. Sadly we have missed this simple teaching, but no victory has been won for the betterment of mankind without thankful leaders. The reason greatness comes from a thankful heart is the ability to hear Spiritual guidance that is given only to a humble heart. Hardhearted people may win a few battles, but victory is inevitable for a thankful soul. The hosts of heaven aid you in opening doors and clearing your path, so nothing can defeat a thankful soul. Now giving thanks has no form or rules for thankful-ness is a way of life for those who know its secret. Though you may find a moment of unthankfulness occasionally, it will not last because being thankful elevates your thoughts to a higher level of appreciation for the simple things in life, such as breathing. Little cares vanishes because thankfulness releases compassion and a desire to build mankind. Learning to be thankful is a matter of unlearning. Begin with replacing negative thoughts with thankfulness. Give thanks that you have a chance to hear this word while you are still breathing, it is unimportant what your conditions are, if you learn to give thanks you will see improvement. Many people ask me how can they give thanks when they have nothing, I simply tell them to begin with what they have (everyone has a breath) and assure them that giving in sincerity, thankfulness for life, is just as effective as thankfulness for anything else. God doesn’t check the pronunciation or grade our grammar, He looks beyond our human frailties and sees the Image of Himself within us, and receive our thanksgiving’s as honor. So the next time you want to serve God make sure you give thanks, for this is the greatest gift we can give Our Father.