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Healing Power of Gratitude: Pleasure Books
I loved this message of hope and healing from President Russell M. Nelson! I have actually experienced the powerful healing that can come from living in a state of gratitude and I know every word he said is true. A couple of years ago I read aloud the book Pollyanna to my children. We loved her attitude of gratitude and love for her fellow man. Ever since that time we have tried to incorporate her "glad game", which is really just focusing on our blessings in times of trial, just as President Nelson shared. My youngest daughter is the best at this "game" and sometimes has to remind me to play it. I am so grateful for her wonderful example to me.
In the spirit of this message of the healing power of gratitude. I would like to share with you a wonderful story and invite you to do as the woman in the story did -- keep a Pleasure Book.
The Story
A CERTAIN aged woman, whose face is serene and peaceful, seems utterly above the little worries and vexations which torment the average woman and leave lines of care, though trouble has by no means passed her by. The Fretful Woman asked her one day the secret of her happiness; and the beautiful old face shone with joy," says The Woman's Home Companion,
"My dear,' she said, “I keep a Pleasure Book.'
"A what?'
"A Pleasure Book. Long ago I learned that there is no day so dark and gloomy that it does not contain some ray of light, and I have made it one business of my life to write down the little things which mean so much to a woman. I have a book marked for every day of every year since I left school. It is but a little thing: the new gown, the chat with a friend, the thoughtfulness of my husband, a flower, a book, a walk in the field, a letter, a concert, or a drive; but it all goes into my Pleasure Book, and, when I am inclined to fret, I read a few pages to see what a happy, blessed woman I am. You may see my treasures if you will.'
"Slowly the peevish, discontented woman turned over the book her friend brought her, reading a little here and there. One day's entries ran thus: 'Had a pleasant letter from mother. Saw a beautiful lily in a window. Found the pin I thought I had lost. Saw such a bright, happy girl on the street. Husband brought some roses in the evening.'
"Bits of verse and lines from her daily reading have gone into the Pleasure Book of this world-wise woman, until its pages are a storehouse of truth and beauty.
"Have you found a pleasure for everyday?' the Fretful Woman asked.
"'For every day,' the low voice answered. “’I had to make my theory come true, you know.' "
"The Fretful Woman ought to have stopped there, but did not; and she found that page where it was written, “’He died with his hand in mine, and my name upon his lips."
Would it not be well for more of us to follow this dear old lady's example and keep a Pleasure Book?
Make Your Own Pleasure Book
After I first read this story, I gathered a few notebooks from the dollar store, labeled them as a pleasure book and gave one to each member of my family. I shared this story with them and ever since we have been writing something that brings us joy each day as part of our family scripture and prayer time. Some days it is challenging to find something to write in those books, but there is always something!
I invite you to start your own pleasure book and partake of the healing power of gratitude. I have included a PDF of this story if you would like to also share it with others as a gift this holiday season. I love to create these journals, include the story and share with friends and neighbors. My prayer, is that as you focus on the blessings in your life each day and express gratitude to your Father in Heaven in prayer daily, that you will find hope, peace and healing.
