The best cure for self pity

So I got up at 5am after a pretty rough night, spent all day at clinicals at a Psychiatric Hospital, and then came home exhausted and I wanted to just sit here and whine about my life falling apart, but I have to say I've been humbled today. I won't go into details of why because it is too difficult to explain. But, I will say that today made me very grateful for my relatively simple problems. I do not have to deal constantly with delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis, etc. Thankfully, that is not part of my reality. But it is part of many people's lives and I am learning to really appreciate how difficult life must be for them. I will continue to strive to develop empathy for those people who are not as fortunate as I am to have a relatively blessed life. But, I am humbled and so I decided that my best solution is to list all the things that I am grateful for today. Here goes...I am grateful....
That I only got semi-lost in Seven Corners today (and GPS units)
That I didn't lose my brother last week
That I have a brand new beautiful nephew and that my sister-in-law is doing well
That even though I'm horribly homesick that means that I have more than one place I can call home
Eternal Families- I can't think of anyone else on earth that I would rather spend eternity with than my family
Good Music
True friends who stick with me even through the worst of times
Friends who text you just to tell you that they're thinking about you and love you (thanks for that!)
Modern technology that allows me to stay in touch with my family and friends no matter where they are
That it's not snowing
That I can be in school to do what I've wanted to do since I was 17 and that I'm just as passionate about my career as I was back then. I still love what I do.
An incredibly compassionate Bishop. He is a great man.
My Testimony of the Gospel, the Scriptures, and the Prophets (past and present)
Last, but definitely not least, President Hinckley. I am grateful for the life he led. The example he was. His sense of humor. His love for the Lord, Gospel, and for all people. I never had the priviledge of meeting this incredible man and yet I mourn his death as if he was a good friend. I remember every time I had the opportunity to be in the same room as the Prophet though. It is impossible to explain the Spirit that that man radiated whenever he walked into a room. You could physically feel the change as soon as he entered. I was moved to tears every time I watched and felt this happen. I cherish every one of those experiences. I knew he loved me every time I heard him speak and I knew the Lord loved me. I thank my Heavenly Father for sending us that wonderful man to guide His church for a time. I am thankful for President Monson who is an amazing man as well. I am grateful for modern day revelation. There is not much I can say that my friends have not already all touched on in their tributes to President Hinckley but I will miss this man. He taught me to:
1. Be grateful.
2. Be smart.
3. Be clean.
4. Be true.
5. Be humble.
6. Be prayerful.
Relatively simple, but profound instructions that have guided me over the past almost 8 years since this talk was given. The day after his passing I was emailed this video from BYU. I thought it was a nice remembrance of him. I second that, "thank you President Hinckley for our journey together." While he will be missed I do not begrudge him the opportunity to be reunited with his sweet wife. In his book, "Stand A Little Taller" the quote for today, February 4th is this, "Your best self: Keep faith with the best that is in you. Your own constant self-improvement will become as a polar star to those with whom you associate. They will remember longer what they saw in you than what they heard from you. Your attitude, your point of view can make such a tremendous difference."