Week Twelve: A Journey of Gratitude

It seems rather fitting that the theme or motto of the week is “journey of gratitude”.  After spending the last two weeks in a foreign nation, a developing nation, I can’t help but have a greater sense of pride and gratitude for my own home and my own country.

Advice I appreciated from videos this week:

Stan Christensen, Stanford Instructor

People end up in the wrong careers often based on making unnecessary assumptions. Don’t do things based on it being what you think others would want you to do. You get to tell your story, craft it well based on your own choices. When it comes to picking a job, pick something you think is fun. People want you to specialize, but you should want to generalize. Have a broad variety of skills. Take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Ted Zoller, Kauffman Foundation

Its not a bad idea to go work for a company and earn great rank and then back out to become an entrepreneur or work for a small corporation. You don’t have to work for and learn from a giant corporation in order to succeed. However, learn something you can leverage.

In the article from President Monson he talks about “An Attitude of Gratitude” and gives five topics to remember to increase our gratitude:

1.     Gratitude for our mothers

2.     Gratitude for our fathers

3.     Gratitude for our teachers

4.     Gratitude for our friends

5.     Gratitude for our country

6.     Gratitude for our Savior

Over the last 2 weeks I’ve lived in a country which I’ve adored and enjoyed exploring, but wouldn’t want to live in. Its been tough to be completely removed from people at home I love. Its been six months now since my sister passed away and I’ve been reminded at the incredible family and friends I have in my life. And were it not for my love of the Savior and faith to be able to let him succor me, I don’t know how I’d have survived this year.

Life is a grand adventure. I’ve learned its not predictable. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have and for the many others I didn’t even know were coming to me. I’ve also learned with support of family, friends and the Savior that anything is possible to survive.