How often do we wish that a trial would just end. That a period in our lives would just be over.
That we can skip the time in our lives where we are in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and when our days are so stressful with balancing school, work and a family that we dread waking up in the morning.
How often do we find ourselves not satisfied with the life we are living or the path we are on.
How often do we compare our live to others that have more than us or seem happier than us.
Happiness is a choice!
We choose to view our circumstance as a blessing or a trial.
Instead of listing everything that is going wrong in our lives why not count our blessings?!
Depression, sorrow, and anger are avoidable!
If we focus on the things that we don’t have, or the trials that we are facing, how can we not be depressed, or sad or angry with our situation??
However, if we live each day like it’s a blessing, and it is, how much happier would we be??
"Day by day, minute by
minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The
lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The
difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in
the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the
marching come the changes.
This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here
and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is
brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the
greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are
lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I
plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan
for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that
you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now." - Thomas S. Monson
We can make Resolutions to be happy now!
Some I advise you to make are:
1. Be Grateful for your knowledge of The Plan of Salvation. You have knowledge that many people spend their entire lives searching for. Don't belittle the greatest gift of all, Eternal love and family.
2.Enjoy your children now, Although it seems like they will be children forever, one day they will leave and start a family of their own.
3. Enjoy your time in school, learning is the easy part. Once you start your career you don’t get summer and winter break, and you may not get 3 day weekends for holidays. Your education is a blessing for you and your family now and in the future.
4. In regards to undesirable financial or health situations or hard personal trials whether it be resulting from bad choices you made or just unfortunate events...I advise you to never to don't forget them!
Why?? Because you are learning humility, you are learning what it really means to use the atonement. You are learning to have compassion and empathy…So that when you overcome these trials, you can help someone else through them!
5. (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY TO BE HAPPY TODAY) If you need to repent, REPENT! Heavenly Father knew we would sin, he knew we would need a Savior and that is why Christ died for us. Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain due to pride.
Always remember
There is no shame in using the atonement there is only shame in judging someone for using it.
These are the thoughts I shared in my talk in sacrament meeting last week and I have been trying to apply it into my life during this week. Trying to see the brighter side of things really helps makes a difference!
