Be of Good Cheer

The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy. -President Uchtdorf

Monday I let myself have a pretty crappy day at work. I know I was complaining about all the crazy things that had happened and just rambled about it to Kurt when I got home. I’ve really let it get to me the last little while. Well Kurt’s day had been almost the exact opposite of mine. Instead of so many negative problems he received an epiphany. Life is good if you choose to be positive. He had felt so blessed throughout the day that he realized his success is more of an attitude.
Not the most comforting word to hear at the time, but I was humbled to repent of my complaining and look at the bright all around me. I needed to calm my annoyances by being grateful for the blessings.

(I hope these friends don’t mind me sharing the following experience or for giving my opinion so freely. I love them all too much to want to offend them.)

A year or so ago I was invited to meet up with 3 dear girls for a lady’s night out at a fun restaurant in Salt Lake. I was excited to see them all again since it had already been several years since I had met with them.

We briefly chatted about what everyone was up to, and then reminisced about the good ‘ole days. As the food was gobbled up we moved to more serious topics. I found out that one of the girls was getting a divorce because her husband was addicted to drugs. She had a 3 year old. Another of the girls was still single and just settling down in the area for school. The last two of us were happily married, done with school and living in comfortable homes.

As I scanned the girls and listened to their comments I was surprised at how much the other married gal complained that she wasn’t yet having children. To her this trial far outweighed any of the others. I felt sad for her. I had been married a year longer and still had no children, there was a major drama going on in the divorced friends life which pained my soul just knowing her “Happily Ever After” was crumbling at that moment, and I also knew the loneliness that can come in the dating world of a single adult. I felt grateful for my small trial in comparison.

I loved the September talk given by President Uchtdorf when he urged the sisters to enjoy life now, “There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event to appear.” I hope I know and appreciate what I’ve got before it’s gone.

There are flowers even in the desert. We can find joy no matter our finances, our marital status, how many kids we do or do not have, sickness, deaths, whatever the disturbance. “This too shall pass, “ so put your distractions in God’s hands and …”Be of good cheer!”