Gratitude mk II

As I relate how it is beneficial to be thankful for being able to attend Brigham Young University, I do so by first establishing where it is that I am coming from. I am the second oldest of five in a family of seven. Due to our family’s unique situation, we have been struggling to find our financial stability for about four years. Because of this, our family has gone through many ordeals that, as I reflect on them now, I would never wish upon anyone. Be this as it may, it is because of these experiences that I have been able to gain an appreciation for the little things. Being able to attend BYU has never been a little thing for me. This in turn, has provided me with a two part system of beneficial resources that would be helpful to anyone who is attending this great university. They are as follows; a greater drive of determination and a better out look on life.
I can remember a talk that President Thomas S. Monson gave entitled Finding Joy in the Journey. I remember he said something that helped with the topic of gratitude. It was, “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.” This is especially true when it comes to our gratitude for being able to attend BYU. When we can see what it is that we really have, we are more apt to increase our efforts to be successful. We are also more ready to do more and be there for others. Great examples of this fact are members of the church who live in countries stricken by poverty and who have very little but insist on serving and giving to others. This is only possible due to their testimony and deep gratitude for that which they have.
Realizing what a blessing it is to attend Brigham Young University does not only help increase determination, but also one’s out look on life can take a turn for the better. It is interesting to see the domino effect that ensues once one come to grips with a suddenly obvious reality. Trials become a lot easier to bear. The world seems like a much more tolerable place to live in that ever thought possible. I remember how after having a conversation with my father, which I will relate later, I was a lot more tolerant when it came to trials, people’s shortcomings, and negative experiences in my life in general. It’s interesting to see how a lot of things that would normally cause one to stress out, can be taken as mere reminders of what it is we have to do. It also increases our capacity for compassion, love and care.
I can remember the first time I took a test in the testing center; the ominous walk to the place of reckoning, the repeating of freshly memorized facts and strategies that would, due to my inaccurate preparation, soon prove to be useless on the exam. All this and more was the cause of great worry and nervousness that would all soon be over once I completed my test. As I did so, I waited anxiously in front of the monitor, looking for the last four digits of my student ID. As the score flashed on the screen a deep seeded sinking feeling consumed my inner self. Realizing my worst fears had come to pass, I walked out of the building and head down the long path that led to my home. It was during this walk that I had time to think about what had just happened. Because the failure was so fresh in my mind, I couldn’t help but feel like a failure and that nothing was going for me. As I reached my, home I called my dad and shared the news of my unsuccessful attempt at the test that I thought I had prepared well for. As I went on in a rather pathetic manner, my father stopped me in mid conversation and told me something that I would never forget. He said, “Mijo, you need to realize what it is that you have. You are at Brigham Young University, the Lords University. There are thousands of people who would give anything to be in your place right now. You need to realize that being there is not a right; it is a privilege and an honor. Don’t waste the opportunity for a great education by not doing your part when it comes to studying and working hard.” It was at that point that I began to step up my studying to that which surpassed my previously mediocre study habits. From that point on, when ever I got down on myself, I would just think back to what it was my dad told me. After doing so, it was hard for me to not to be determined to increase my efforts when it came to my school work.
I know that after reading this it may all seem relative. I know that it is wrong of me to tell you that all of what I have experienced is the only way for someone to boost their determination and outlook on life. But I do know this; I have been able to use the benefits of being grateful to my advantage when it comes to college life. This has been especially true when it comes to finals and midterms. Just as gratitude has blessed my life and it can most definitely bless yours.