As we gather this Thanksgiving season, I (Jeff) want to share a personal journey that taught me the transformative power of gratitude. There was a time in my life, after my divorce, when I faced some of my darkest days. For five years, I struggled with depression, financial difficulties, and a deep sense of failure. I could hardly bring myself to open my mail, my career had bottomed out, and I had little energy or clarity to find my way forward. My children were the only thing I cared about. In hindsight, I realize much of my despair came from judgments I placed on myself: “It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” “I’ve lost my chance at an eternal family,” and “How could this have happened to me?” These thoughts seemed immovable, but they weren’t. They were optional, and letting go of them became a turning point.
In 2013, I moved to Midland, Texas, sight unseen, for a fresh start. It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me financial stability and, more importantly, space to breathe. I started to climb out of my depression and see the good things in my life again. One of my small but profound joys was buying a reliable car after years of driving a clunker. Every time I got behind the wheel, I felt deep gratitude—not just for the car but for the chance to rebuild. I came to realize that gratitude is the key to happiness. It’s impossible to enjoy something fully without appreciating it. Even though my life wasn’t what I had once envisioned, gratitude helped me see the blessings I did have: steady work, my oldest son preparing for a mission, the support of friends and family, and moments of joy that carried me forward.
Gratitude didn’t just change my perspective—it brought abundance into my life. Looking back, I see how the Lord has restored more than I ever dreamed: a loving wife, wonderful children, a fulfilling career, and a comfortable home. It’s not “just normal”—it’s extraordinary. This Thanksgiving, I invite you to reflect on your blessings. If you’re struggling, start small. Be grateful for the air you breathe, the roof over your head, or a kind word from a friend. Surrender to where you are now, and let gratitude lift your heart. As the Lord promises, “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:19). This Thanksgiving, let your heart be so full of gratitude that there’s no room for despair. As we focus on our blessings, we will find joy—and more blessings will surely follow.
Cathy has assembled some of our best videos and podcasts on the power of gratitude. Take a look at the titles and descriptions below and simply click on the links to benefit from what would be most supportive to you at this time. They are all FREE - our gift to you this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving weekend!
As we approach this month of giving thanks, we address the important yet often overlooked topic of being grateful for our bodies. The 3 aspects of appreciating our bodies we explore are: Sex (pleasure of all kinds), Shape (focus on what is going right with our health), & Size (physical shape/contour of our bodies, which are all unique and good). Intentionally developing a healthy body image will positively impact our ability to attract and create a healthy intimate relationship.
We can only enjoy anything to the extent that we appreciate it. Therefore, gratitude is the key to happiness. Even when life it tough, being grateful for all the is good (however small) is the best way forward. Get inspired to create thanksgiving in your heart all year around!
LILY Pod 147. Gratitude for Our Guests
Jeff & Cathy discuss their 33+ inspiring guest interviews on LILY Pod over 3 years (2021-2023) to help listeners know which episodes to focus on to support their own needs and situations in life.
LILY Pod 145. Thanking God in Advance
Jeff & Cathy discuss the art of thanking God in advance for blessings that are on the way and how that both requires and builds our faith, capacity for gratitude, and trust in a loving Heavenly Parent.
LILY Pod 97. Gratitude Elevates Energy & Emotion
Jeff & Cathy refer to their F-SEEBO Model (episode 11) to discuss the power and magic of gratitude, which is particularly strong this time of year. Wishing all of our listeners the elevated energy and emotion that comes with a mind and heart full of gratitude for the blessings of life.
LILY Pod 94. Now Thank We All Our God
As we celebrate the month of giving thanks, Jeff & Cathy dive into the truly remarkable history of the hymn, "Now Thank We All Our God." If you are struggling to find anything to be grateful for this year because of a recent loss, the background of this hymn is an uplifting testimony of how to find faith, and gratitude to God, in even the most dire of circumstances.
LILY Coaching is available to support you personally. Simply schedule a FREE Consult with Jeff or Cathy. We will provide you with a roadmap to your desired destination!
To heal from relationship loss and create more love in your life in 2024, read Intentional Courtship (available on Amazon).
Dive deep into healing from divorce with our self-paced online course: Life Design After Divorce (now available on demand!).
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