Sometimes, You Just Want to Say Thanks

I realized today that I have so many good people in my life, and I'm so glad they all exist. I have a lot of people to be grateful for, which of course includes my family, but also the people I've met since I've been at school. My roommates, past and present, are great. The people I work with are great. In every class, I have at least one or two friends, and they are great. It's just good. One thing that has always interested me is how positively and quickly people respond to kindness. Even people I'm already friends with and have been friends with for a long time- the moment you show that extra bit more niceness than usual, it's as if they light up. Maybe I'm just usually mean and so all my friends see it as a welcome break when I'm nice, but it is really fun to be nicer than you normally would have to people and make them happy.

Today I was reading a talk by President Monson from this past conference's priesthood session. I always feel like I'm being let in on some secret when I read the priesthood talks, like I'm being clued in on info privy to only the elect or something, even though it's available for the world. Anyway, his talk was titled, "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother," and it was so good for me to read. I don't think I have anger issues, but it really made me think about how often I get irritated when it really shouldn't matter. My favorite line was, "May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say." I know that when I'm mad, it seems all my best skills of quick wit and exact wording are at their sharpest, and I've let out many a cutting comment that could have been kept in.

So- that's my thought. To be nice, and to be nicer than necessary or normal.