Happy Birthday to Peter and Buffy. I hope you guys have a great one. Really sorry to hear about the clavicle on Isaac. That is a painful injury and, although there is rarely a good time to break your collar bone, this seems like it was less than ideal timing with track starting. This is a bonus video of Peter. Ouch!



Well, I had an awesome time in Washington and SD and it was great to see all of you. I attended a course in San Diego prior to my arrival in Washington and that gave me the chance to hang out with Marnie and that was great. It would have been fun to get Tracey and the kids back there also but it just was not possible. It was great to be able to see the practice and understand better the goals that we have in mind. Previous to this trip I could not even remember that names of all the people working in the practice and this trip gave me the chance to get to know them all better as individuals. Thank you Dave for allowing me to attend that course, it was great. I knew that returning to Okinawa was going to be difficult because I was able to see how it could be being around everybody and living there. Also, I was able to see how efficient Dave is at work and what a great team he has there. Then, I was returning to my job here, which is fine, but not the same. Needless to say, I was bummed. But, I was happy to be back with Tracey and the kids. The time change really got me this time too. Going to the states was not difficult but returning was terrible. So, what have I learned?

I gave a spiritual thought today in Branch Council. As I sat down to get it ready I just kept thinking about how bummed out I was. I found an article in the March 2010 Ensign that meant something to me. This was the point. Gratitude. I need to be thankful for what I have. The grass will always be greener but I am grateful for what I have. Here are some lines from it....

Gratitude is a positive experience that comes from recognizing gifts or blessings and feeling thankful. It is also an attitude, a way of perceiving life, in which individuals are willing to receive and acknowledge the beneficial actions of others on their behalf. Those who consistently display such an attitude are said to have a grateful disposition. Gratitude is also a habit that can be cultivated, causing one to focus on the blessings of life. Finally, gratitude can be defined as a coping response to challenging or difficult circumstances.

Gratitude can have a profound effect on perspective, completely determining or altering the way we look at an experience.

We Feel the Effects and Benefits of Gratitude

Current case studies and research show that cultivating and practicing gratitude can reduce symptoms in cases of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Practicing gratitude can also lead to increases in optimism, vitality, happiness, a sense of well-being, and a greater satisfaction with life. Grateful people tend to generate more positive memories, reminding them of the good in their lives. Those with higher levels of gratitude are viewed as more empathetic and supportive, more forgiving, and more likely to assist others. Grateful people also report feeling less envious and more generous with their possessions. They thus enjoy better quality relationships.

Gratitude also helps in coping with adversity. Those who practice it in times of adversity are more likely to seek and find a “silver lining” in their experiences. Finally, those who try to feel greater levels of gratitude report fewer physical complaints, more time spent in physical exercise, and better sleep duration and quality.

•Eliminate Ungrateful Thoughts

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wisely counseled, “No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse.” Identify and list your complaining and ungrateful thoughts, and replace them with grateful thoughts and problem-solving strategies. We are prone to be more grateful when we recall how others have contributed to our success and happiness and when we focus on positive action rather than passive complaining.

•Train Yourself to Use Gratitude Language

Make a habit of writing letters of appreciation. Say thank you frequently to your loved ones and also to cashiers, postal workers, and others who serve you in any capacity. As you interact with community and civil servants and workers, consider writing a letter of commendation to their supervisors, praising their work and expressing your appreciation.

•Recognize That Things Could Be Worse

Think of situations you are glad you don’t experience, such as famine, war, or debilitating illness. Think of circumstances you would not want to experience. Be grateful your life is not more difficult as you consciously work to improve it. Demonstrate your gratitude to the Lord by doing whatever you can to assist those less fortunate than you.

I am grateful to be in such an amazing family with so many great people. I am grateful that Dave and Adina allowed me to ransack their home for a week and be part of their family. I am grateful that Dave bought such a nice bike so that I could have such great rides while I was there. I was amazed and grateful for all the great weather that we had while I was in Washington. I am grateful to have a family that is with me here in Okinawa. I am grateful for Tracey and for all that she does to teach our children good principles. I am grateful that since I have been back here in Okinawa there has been mostly sunny skies. I am grateful that the Earthquake was totally enjoyable and that it had absolutely no effect on our lives. Also, the tsunami was a joke. I am grateful that I have not been deployed (knock,knock) except for a small humanitarian aid mission since I have been here and I have been able to get some great experience in dentistry. Also, I am grateful that Mom and Dad will be visiting here next month to see the way that we live.

Anyway, sorry this got a little bit therapeutic for me. It is not meant to be preachy. I truly am happy with what I have been given. I know that if I keep gratitude in my heart I will be a happier person. Hopefully you will all have a great Sunday. Ours ended up being very relaxing because of the tsunami warning. Less meetings is always good for me. Love you all..

Tom