Me Thinks

President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited people across the world to think about what they are grateful for, and then post about it on social media. 

I'm generally hesitant to express gratitude in front of a lot of people for fear that what I am joyous about is something others do not have. For example, I have a single sibling and single friends, so I don't want to rave about how wonderful marriage is. I have numerous family members who experienced or are experiencing infertility so I do not want to boast about my children. I had children who served missions, but other wonderful people have children who did not. Boasting isn't really my style anyway.  Funny that one can feel guilt for feeling happy and grateful.

The prophet's request felt a little uncomfortable to me, at least the part about posting on social media. The other thing President Nelson invited us to do was to express gratitude to the Lord and I was great about accepting that part of the assignment. It would have been much easier for me to pray and write in a personal journal about what I am grateful for, but when the Prophet asks me to do something I want to obey.

I thought about the assignment and thought some more, and came to the conclusion that the prophet was giving me permission in a way to be public about some of the things I am grateful for.  If he has given permission I thought, than it is okay.

So I posted day 1, day 2, and day 3, and then something happened. I read comments from other people on  social media about how all of these gratitude posts were hurtful to people and that instead of boasting about what we have and enjoy, we should "mourn with those who mourn." My balloon popped and I felt shame for feeling grateful.

So I softened my posts in an attempt to be sensitive.

But I have continued to think about the situation.

One one hand I tell myself to say it and say it loud! If I feel grateful for things, I should express my feelings and share the joy and gratitude I feel. The other side of the coin is to "rejoice with those who rejoice," (which is sometimes harder by the way, than mourning). On the other hand I feel like I should and must be sensitive to others, and cap my remarks.

I genuinely enjoyed reading what other people posted. I felt like I was able to and peek into their hearts and hear about what they love and are grateful for. Instead of complaining about Covid restrictions or election results, people changed their perspectives and looked for the good things in their lives. I believe that the Prophet was led to give us these invitations and that we can create a positive flow of posts which brings light into the world.