Blessing #13

....a simple candy bar :)

I went to the Relief Society broadcast this weekend and I absolutely loved President Uchtdorf's talk. When does one not love his talks though, really? ha ha. He made an analogy about the Forget-me-not flower and compared its petals to five things we should never forget in our own lives. The five "forget-me-nots" were:

1) Forget not to be patient with yourself
2) Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a bad sacrifice
3) Forget not to be happy now
4) Forget not the "why" of the gospel
5) Forget not that the Lord loves you

I would love to write about the entire talk (trust me, it was that good), but it's better in his own words so go check it out if you haven't heard it yet.

What I will talk about is one point that really hit me hard at this time in my life. It's something you hear often, but President Uchtdorf put the point into a new light. It was his third forget-me-not: forget not to be happy now. Now I don't really see myself as an unhappy person; I usually have a pretty healthy and optimistic attitude on life, but where he really got me thinking was in his comparison to the "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" story. He quoted a part from the book where the public is alerted that five golden tickets were dispersed in Wonka candy bars. With the news, people spent their time searching for the tickets and quickly forgot the enjoyment they used to find in eating a simple candy bar.

He then talked about the idea that we each have our own "golden tickets" in life. We often think we will be happy and satisfied when a certain event takes place, and as we wait for such an event, we miss the simple moments in life that could bring us the joy we desire if we would only recognize their significance. He talked about a single woman who wanted to be married and to raise a family more than anything else. That dream was never realized though and she quickly became bitter and lonely. No one wanted to be around her because of her attitude and perspective on life. I've been around people like this myself (and have even been this woman on occasion) and I think most would agree, such people can be rather draining. The example of this woman makes me want to be more cognizant of my own attitudes and actions. She was a teacher, but found no enjoyment in her career. I find this attitude to be truly tragic as she had the unique opportunity to make a profound difference in the life of each child she encountered. Uchtdorf reminded the women to discover the beauty of the everyday moments as those that do so are they who are truly happy.

This message reminded me, once again, of the opportunities I have been blessed with. Years ago, I never would have guessed my life would be what it is today, but more and more, I realize that's okay. I'm currently in a program that will give me the opportunity to bless the lives of others. I have already experienced this in my apprenticeship as I work with a little girl. I look at her and think of her future and the impact my training could have on her life...the confidence it could give her...and it makes me so much more appreciative and dedicated to the work I will be required to put into my program. It will all be worth it in the end. I want to find joy in my personal journey here on this earth...through the good and the bad...and I want to instill such joy in others through loving service. We are, quite literally, either the creators or the destroyers of our own happiness so let's "forget not to be happy now."