- identify what is true joy
- taking responsibility for our own joy
- moving forward not looking back
- sharing our joy with others
- gratitude in the journey
In our lives one thing is constant and that is change; we move, lose loved ones, marry, add spirit to our families,fight illnesses and injuries, struggle through tough times and enjoy times of plenty. Day by day, minute by minute, we go from where we were to where we are today. The only difference is in the details; we all have trials and we all experience success. This is our only chance at mortal life here and now. All of the experiences whether painful or pleasurable fill our lives with opportunities - lessons learned. These lessons teach us to distinguish between what is important and what is not. These experiences give us important insight into the thins that bring us true happiness. Bonnie shared that she felt true happiness when she attended the recent
Sister Beck conference with all of her daughters. Additionally, she enjoyed working with her family and turning the work into a party where she enjoyed their company and strengthened family ties. President Monson reminds us, "What is most important almost always involves the people around us."
In life we need to take responsibly for our own joy. We can not just sit back and wait for it to come to us. Joy is in the everyday choices that we make. It is in the attitude that we have. It is a frame of mind. We need to deliberately seek happiness and do things that bring us joy. Kristin shared several great ways that she seeks out joy. Joy can be in the covers of a good book. It can be in time spent with our families. I loved her example of jumping on the trampoline with her girls and rolling on the grass. Finally she showed us the family gratitude jar. Here family members can write down the things they are thankful for. Recognizing our many blessings helps us find joy.
As we travel life's highway we are all going to experience difficult times. The loss of a loved one, painful mistakes we make, missed opportunities, recognition that we didn't appreciate that time of life as much as we should have. Rather the dwelling on the past we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future. Jackie shared her appreciation for the little things in life, singing birds, squirrels, soft sheets. appreciated nature and the wonder of God's creations. She recounted the joy of being told she could get out of bed and walk again after a horrific accident.
Often we assume that important people in our lives must know we love them. But we should never assume we should let them know. We will never regret words of kindness spoken, or affection given. Rather our regret will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us. Vivi shared how special friendship were developed through visiting teaching and how those friendship have brought her such joy. She shares her special love with us often with warms hugs and a bright smile. Her thoughts reminded us how important it is to write a note to a friend, make a phone call and tell those we love "I love You."
The reality of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings. A well known author said: " Both abundance and lack exist in our lives. It is always our conscious choice which garden we will tend... when we choose not to focus on what is missing in our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present- love, family, health, friends, work, joys of nature, personal pursuits that bring us joy- the waste land of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth. Cheryl shared the idea that we always have choices but we don't get to choose the consequences of our actions. She shared how after injuring her shoulder she appreciate the days she can move her arm. I appreciated how she explained how her life has changed from being very active to having physical limits and how she has learned to keep moving forward. President Monson councils us "What ever hour God has blessed you with, take it with a grateful hand not postponing your joys from year to year. So that in every place you have been, you may say that you lived happy.
Thank you to all those beautiful thoughts.
Please read President Monson's talk for within lies his personal experiences and his testimony.
Please feel free to post a comment or add a personal story of your own.
President Monson says " There is no tomorrow if we don't do something today. Never let the problem to be solved more important then the person to be loved."
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