JOYful living

One of my main goals of 2015 is to live happily, despite life's challenges.  To model to my children that we can CHOOSE happiness "come what may". I know this notion can solicit varied responses…a rolling of the eyes, a sigh of those who think "she hasn't yet had big enough challenges", a polite smile from one who thinks that is a nice but naive idea, or a hardened look that such a belief comes from one "who doesn't know anything".  It can be a scary goal, knowing my own weaknesses and the stresses of life!

Today I read this quote which led to a brainstorming of how I can accomplish my lofty 2015 goal.
 
 "My dear brothers and sisters, there will be days and nights when you feel overwhelmed, when your hearts are heavy and your heads hang down. Then, please remember, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the Head of this Church. It is His gospel. He wants you to succeed.   
He gave His life for just this purpose. He is the Son of the living God. And He will help you.” —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
 

This underscores the fact that life is clearly NOT intended, nor supposed, to be easy.  It seems a dichotomy:  we are here to be tested, tried, stretched to our limits to gain experience and choose faith; yet, "men are that they might have JOY" (2 Ne. 2:27).  How is this possible?  I know the power of positivity and try to be a positive person, but if I'm truly honest in my day to day life, I don't know that message speaks louder than the little comments of frustration that I let escape & come with the crazy schedule of a family of 7, stressed from the many commitments and expectations we all have day in and day out.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my cute kids would agree they hear much more of pressing to get their chores done, homework completed, help with siblings, stop fighting, or to quickly jump in the car to get to our next hurried event!  I let the small, mundane things of life overtake a fun, positive attitude and I give in to becoming annoyed, frustrated, and feeling the need to make the most of a "teaching moment" when a child falls short somehow!  
 
I want to face each day with the question: "How can I bring happiness to this next situation or person I interact with?"  I have concluded that for me, I must begin with this thought in mind, take time to think through what my day entails and how I can model joy in it, focus on what positive attributes I'm trying to develop, then PRAY: to see my kids, my experiences, my life, through an eternal perspective lens.  My friend reinforces to her kids to "make someone smile today" and it helps them focus on another and thus become happier themselves.

Dieter Uchtdorf's quote above tells us we all will feel heavy, overwhelmed, and down from life, but He knows we will succeed.  He, in fact, "gave his life for that purpose"!  He will help us.  Adam and Eve "became like the gods", why?  Because they knew "good from evil" and that everything has its "opposite".  Then their ultimate commandment:  that they "may have JOY" in their living and knowledge.  Hmmm, much of life's greatest trials and tests come because some use that great gift of choice God gave us all, for the despair of others.  They steal, take advantage, murder, abuse, lie, force, manipulate, and waste away their lives taking away the peace, security, and trust of others.  Still, we are to have JOY?  In rape?  In deceit?  In murder, plunder, blame, cheating?  

As I pondered this, the thought came that the joy doesn't come from those who commit such acts, nor in enduring them, but in the fact that Christ OVERCAME them all!  That no matter what people say or do, Jesus Christ "gave his life" to overcome it all and can leave peace where there was heartache; happiness where there was sorrow and despair.   

“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee” (3 Nephi 22:10). “I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer” (3 Nephi 22:8).  He will not forget!  His "grace is sufficient".  Pres. Uchtdorf concludes:  "My dear friends, the Savior heals the broken heart and binds up your wounds (see Psalm 147:3). Whatever your challenges may be, wherever you live on this earth, your faithful membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the divine powers of the gospel of Jesus Christ will bless you to endure joyfully to the end."  ("Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?", Oct. 2007, Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
 
Those we enjoy being around most are usually HAPPY people.  May we be one of those who smile, uplift and inspire happiness! Here's to seeing JOY and being FULL of it!

Mountains and Mustard Seeds

"Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the 

unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."

The other day I was doing Personal Progress (a program designed to develop temporal and spiritual talents of LDS young women) with my daughter, and as we read one particular talk on the subject of faith, this quote stood out:

“‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove’ (Matthew 17:20). I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith, I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith, I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude.”  --Richard E. Edgley

Previous to this I have always considered this scripture about those who have faith like a mustard seed being able to move mountains, very literal.  I still know true faith can move mountains, however, now I view that scripture in a much more practical and applicable way to our life day in and day out.  Interestingly, I do not necessarily think it will be any less difficult than moving a real mountain!  

Let me explain.  This new, spiritual and emotional understanding and meaning of this scripture now applies to almost every aspect of our lives: to relationships, to discouragement, to our attitudes, to everyday encounters, to overcoming our weaknesses, and in having faith that no matter our circumstances, things can and do change for the better!  Edgley's first example involves moving a "mountain of doubt and despair" into "hope and optimism".  Then, a "mountain of sin" being "replaced with repentance and forgiveness".  Next, faith moving "a mountain of pain" and replacing it "with peace, hope, and gratitude."  

This made me think: What is our mountain??  What seems to be so overbearing, so overwhelming, so  daunting and impossible, that it looms over us emotionally or spiritually, like a mountain that could never be moved?  Then comes this truth:  "Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours."

This is both empowering and intimidating!  No matter where we find ourselves, no matter what we encounter, our faith in the Savior, His gospel, His Atonement, can move ANY mountain we face.  Do we believe this?  In thinking of what our "mountain" we now face is, are we able to apply our FAITH, our BELIEF in Jesus Christ and His power, to help us move it?  Just as I first viewed the faith as a mustard seed scripture, I think I tend to view most things in life as literal and usually look for my ultimate solution to a problem, relationship, or weakness, in studying a certain area and acquiring and applying secular knowledge.  Of course I pray about it, I look for answers in the scriptures, I believe God will help me, but maybe I lean too much on what I think I should do, an important step, yes, but I probably rely less on my faith that truly it is God who can get me through.  Again, I know this, but I don't always ACT like I know this!

The Savior knows what we face.  He KNOWS our grief and our battles.  He has literally FELT what WE FEEL, right now, in our mountain of struggle or growth.  Again, do we BELIEVE this??  And if we believe and have faith in this principle, are we ACTING on it?  Because belief only gets us so far.  The application of our faith is what brings the MIRACLES!  Applying true faith, balanced with doing our all, knowing Christ is aware of and loves us and WILL HELP US, that is what moves our mountains ! 

In conclusion, this sums up this amazing talk on faith.  For faith is a test of this life.  Will we believe, even when things don't always make sense to our temporal minds?  Richard Edgley states:    

"There is much that I do not know. I do not know the details of the organization of matter into the beautiful world we live in. I do not understand the intricacies of the Atonement, how the Savior’s sacrifice can cleanse all repentant people, or how the Savior could suffer 'the pain of all men' (D&C 18:11)….I do not know why my beliefs sometimes conflict with assumed scientific or secular knowledge...  But while I don’t know everything, I know the important. I know the plain and simple gospel truths that lead to salvation and exaltation. I know that the Savior did suffer the pain of all men and that all repentant people can be cleansed from sin. And what I don’t know or don’t completely understand, with the powerful aid of my faith, I bridge the gap and move on, partaking of the promises and blessings of the gospel. And then, as Alma teaches, our faith brings us to a perfect knowledge (see Alma 32:34). By moving forward into the unknown, armed only with hope and desire, we show evidence of our faith and our devotion to the Lord."

I want to CHOOSE FAITH!  I want to BELIEVE in spite of what I see with my earthly eyes, or feel in my earthly heart.  I know believing in the power of Jesus Christ can and will move any mountains we face!