Our distance from the Lord matters, but the direction we are heading is more important

"The closer we are to Jesus Christ in the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the more we appreciate His innocent suffering, the more grateful we are for grace and forgiveness, and the more we want to repent and become like Him. Our absolute distance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is important, but the direction we are heading is even more crucial. God is more pleased with repentant sinners who are trying to draw closer to Him than with self-righteous, faultfinding individuals who, like the Pharisees and scribes of old, do not realize how badly they need to repent."

- Elder Dale G. Renlund, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”, General Conference, April 2016

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/that-i-might-draw-all-men-unto-me?lang=eng

Sabbath ideas

• Make a Sunday album. Get a three-ring binder, some page protectors, and cardstock. Attach an illustration from a magazine such as the Ensign to a sheet of cardstock. On the facing page write an inspirational story from the life of the person in the photo. You can do the same thing with photographs of your ancestors by researching and including stories about their lives.
• Create Sunday games by cutting out and laminating the games that come in the Friend. If you need to write on them, use an overhead projector marker. The ink will wash off easily with a damp cloth.
• Make a family trivia game. Gather up information about relatives and use it to generate questions. Write each question on a card (for example, “Who served a mission in Rome, Italy?”) along with the answer. Take turns asking questions of the other players.
• Write a creative letter to a missionary or a loved one. Get a big piece of paper and have everyone in the family write on it in a different color and in a different direction. You can also write on a roll of adding machine tape or the plain side of wrapping paper.
• Ask family members to tell stories about “the good old days.” Have someone record the stories to include in a family history.
• Write notes or draw pictures of appreciation for your bishopric, neighbors, and family members. You can focus on a different person each Sunday.
• Make a list of blessings. In different colors of ink, write the names of the people and things you are thankful for on a roll of shelf paper. Number each item. The list will become quite long if you really think about your blessings and express your gratitude for them. Of course, you can use other paper instead, but you can roll the shelf paper into a scroll and tie a ribbon around it to remind you of your Heavenly Father’s love for you.
• Catch up on journal writing by taking time to write about recent events, or follow the counsel of President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, to reflect about how you have seen the hand of the Lord in your life.
• Hold a family council and decide how to serve others or how to focus your Sabbath observance on the Savior.
Whatever you do on Sundays, ask if the Savior would approve of the activity. Uplifting activities “inviteth and enticeth to do good continually” (Moroni 7:13). Ask yourself, “What message am I sending to God by what I do on the Sabbath day?” 

- Paula J. Lewis, "Making the Sabbath a Delight," Ensign, March 2016
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/03/making-the-sabbath-a-delight?lang=eng

“Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful.”

- Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Eternal Blessings of Marriage,” April 2011 General Conference
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage?lang=eng

"There is a set of advantages that have to do with material resources, and there is a set that have to do with the absence of material resources--and the reason underdogs win as often as they do is that the latter is sometimes every bit the equal of the former."

- Malcolm Gladwell, David and Goliath, 24-25

Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives

"Please follow the counsel you have been given in the past and maintain your personal journals. Those who keep a book of remembrance are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives. Journals are a way of counting our blessings and of leaving an inventory of these blessings for our posterity."

- Pres. Spencer W. Kimball, President of the Church, "Listen to the Prophets," General Conference, Apr 1978
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1978/04/listen-to-the-prophets?lang=eng

The happiest people are those who love their neighbors

“I can say to you, my brethren and sisters, the happiest people in this world are those who love their neighbors as themselves and manifest their appreciation of God’s blessings by their conduct in life.”

- Pres. George Albert Smith, Our Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (1996), 105–19, Chapter Nine: The Expanding Church
http://www.lds.org/manual/our-heritage-a-brief-history-of-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/chapter-nine-the-expanding-church?lang=eng

"Gratitude may be increased by constantly reflecting on our blessings and giving thanks for them in our daily prayers."

- Elder Steven E. Snow, Of the First Quorum of the Seventy, "Gratitude," General Conference, Oct 2001
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/gratitude?lang=eng

"There is no feeling that is more Godlike than that feeling of intense gratitude and thanksgiving to God that comes when we realize and feel that God has blessed us."

- Heber J. Grant, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, (2011), 177
http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-heber-j-grant/chapter-19?lang=eng

The healing power of gratitude

"In some quiet way, the expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing nature. Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike.

"Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace—a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don’t have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure."

- Robert D. Hales, Presiding Bishop, "Gratitude for the Goodness of God," General Conference, Apr 1992
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/gratitude-for-the-goodness-of-god?lang=eng

"...the measure of our offering to bless the poor is a measure of our gratitude to our Heavenly Father."

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "The Law of the Fast," General Conference, Apr 2001
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/the-law-of-the-fast?lang=eng

Giving thanks helps us recognize our blessings

"My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church, "The Divine Gift of Gratitude," Ensign, Nov 2010, p. 87
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/11/the-divine-gift-of-gratitude?lang=eng

Compare to worse conditions to be grateful

"It put me upon reflecting how little repining there would be among mankind, at any condition of life, if people would rather compare their condition with those that are worse, in order to be thankful, than be always comparing them with those which are better, to assist their murmurings and complainings."

- Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, p. 165