The Power of Gratitude

In my unit, we have a program called “Sharing Gratitude.” It involves reflecting on the day and writing down one point of self-reflection, two things to commend, and three things to be thankful for, then voluntarily post them to a designated website. Although it sounds simple, it usually takes about ten minutes of thoughtful reflection and writing. As a result, not many soldiers keep up with it consistently.

When I was first assigned to my unit, participating in the program was the last thing on my mind. I was spending each day under constant tension, surrounded by senior soldiers in a strict and demanding environment. Moreover, even after going through a complicated process to secure a place for worship, it was difficult to maintain a reverent atmosphere, as soldiers were constantly coming and going. Even in such circumstances, I found reasons to be grateful. As I began to deeply long for the grace-filled worship I had experience in Zion—where I could fully immerse myself in God’s words—I realized just how precious those moments were. They were blessings I had once taken for granted. During that time, I even had the opportunity to share the truth to a senior soldier who showed interest while listening to the sermons beside me.

Determined to maintain a positive mindset, I began intentionally searching for daily reasons to be thankful each day, and sharing them through the “Sharing Gratitude” program. In the military, even things I had once overlooked took on new meaning. I was thankful that the colder weather meant fewer insects; I found joy in the breathtaking sight of countless stars scattered across the sky during night firing drills. I appreciated the fellow soldiers who encouraged me and kept me smiling, as well as the seniors who patiently guided me whenever I struggled during training. I was also thankful for the provision of daily meals and the blessing of a healthy body.

As I continued to accumulate these moments of gratitude, something unexpected happened. My battalion commander began leaving comments on my posts every day. Before long, whenever we crossed paths, he would offer words of encouragement or ask about my reflections, showing genuine interest. Other officers also left supportive comments, such as, “It’s great to see you maintaining such a positive outlook,” and “If you keep this up, you’ll be the kind of senior soldier that juniors respect and willingly follow. Keep it up!” Even my direct seniors commended my diligence, noting how impressive it was that I devoted my personal time to write these reflections.

Not long after, I approached an officer to request permission for a religious outing to a nearby church. Noting my recent conduct, he commended me and readily made arrangements so that I could attend the Sabbath morning worship. Even another officer, who had previously been skeptical of my faith, encouraged me, saying he hoped my religious activities would be a meaningful time for me. After more than fifty days of consistently writing gratitude posts, I was honored with a commendation from the battalion commander. I had done nothing extraordinary; I had simply practiced the Teachings of Mother—to view all things with a beautiful heart—which made it easy to find reasons to be thankful. Receiving such recognition for something so simple humbled me deeply, and I felt deeply grateful knowing this blessing was the result of putting God’s will, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” into practice.

Through this process, a profound change also took place within me. As I strove to remain thankful even in exhausting situations, my thoughts often turned to Heavenly Father and Mother, who always set the ultimate example of gratitude. One day, while physically demanding labor with a shovel and pickaxe at a site far from the base, my strength began to fade and my arms trembled. Because the meal supply was delayed, I was also extremely hungry. In that moment, I was reminded of how Heavenly Father sometimes went without meals while carrying out the gospel work. What I had once understood only in words, I was now able to feel—even if just a little—through my own experience. His sacrifice became real to me, and I realized how precious the gospel truly is. This realization has strengthened my resolve to share the truth even greater sincerity.

The negative perspectives I once held have now been replaced by a heart that sees the good in all things. I am deeply grateful to God for refining my once-weak spirit and for teaching me that when I cultivate a habit of gratitude—regardless of the circumstances—even more reasons to be thankful naturally follow. For the remainder of my military service, I will hold fast to the conviction that Heavenly Father and Mother are always with me, and I will strive to share this positivity with those around me.