What matters most . . .

Recently I've been thinking a lot about all the things I'm grateful for and the simple things in life that bring me JOY . A few weeks back I read one of my favorite talks by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "Forget Me Not" . I have read and re-read this talk dozens of times, and I learn something new from it each time I read it . What I got out of it this time was that I, or everyone for that matter, need to be happy NOW . We can't keep saying, " I will be happy once I get a new job . . . I'll be happy once I'm married . . . Once this trial is over, I'll be happy . . .  ". The grass isn't always greener on the other side. The grass CAN be greener right where you're at . You just have to nurture and water it . And that takes effort on our part  :)

Some simple JOYS in my life :

 

 

     FRIENDS . . . and trials

I can't begin to express how blessed I've been to always have GREAT friends . I can honestly say, I probably have the best friends in the world :) haha . TRUE GEMS . But seriously, they truly are that wonderful . So many vivid memories play over and over in my mind of all the fun, scary, sad, adventurous, crazy, happy, beloved times I've had with them . My friends have taught me great lessons in life and have inspired me to just try and be a better person, let alone a better friend . This past year has been quite a roller coaster of emotions for me; and many times I've wanted to give up on happiness, on love, on faith, in my career, basically on life . I had some really dark times, and I felt stuck, hopeless, scared, and unimportant . I prayed every night that my trials would just end . I just wanted them taken from me . Well, of course, my trials didn't just end . If they did, we would never learn from our experiences in life . But Heavenly Father was there and looking out for me and He answered my prayers in a different way . My change didn't happen over night . It took time . But I started changing some things in my life, and it started to make a difference . Heavenly Father was carrying me through it all . And with all my pleading, He blessed me with good friends that were there for me . They knew what to say just when I needed it . I'm sure many of them don't realize that they were an answer to my prayers . They were simply just being a good friend and giving me advice . But it was that advice and the words they shared with me that got me through my hard days . Their charity towards me gave me strength and brought happiness back into my life . I know Heavenly Father answered my prayers through my friends . I found this quote the other day, and it hit me deep . It's nothing big or profound, but it's something I needed to hear . . .

     "Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

 

Isn't that the truth? Heavenly Father sends other people to us when we need it most .

We all go through trials and tribulations in life . There is no way around it . But it's for our growth and learning . It's for our benefit . It's our test of faith . We aren't abandoned . We have someone to look to for help . Someone who loves us and wants us to experience happiness in life . Without my Heavenly Father and Savior I feel like my life would be an utter mess . We go through so much in this life, but it's so much better to go through it with someone there helping and supporting you .

 

 

Clients

I have the opportunity to associate with a variety of people everyday . And I LOVE IT . I love seeing my clients and talking with them and building relationships with them . They brighten my day, and always put a smile on my face . Every client I work with holds a special place in my heart . It's nice to associate with different people and hear their stories, opinions, and interests . I've become close to so many of them and never thought in a million years that I would . It's great . Dealing with all sorts of different people on a daily basis has really opened my eyes to some things . DON'T JUDGE OTHERS . That person you judge could actually become someone that you grow close to and develop a bond with . I think society is so quick to judge . We don't know the persons siuation . We don't know if they're dealing with hunger . We don't know if they're dealing with a lost of a loved one . We don't know if they are jobless . We don't know if they are friendless . We haven't walked in their shoes and experienced what they have . So just STOP IT ! We're all guilty of it, I know . But I've really been trying to be better at it . It doesn't make you or I a better person when we start running our mouth and judging others around us . There are more important things to worry about in life .

 

 

Music

Ah, the blessed joy of music . There's something so special about it . Brings happiness to my soul . Warmth to my heart . Peace to my life . It's something that I can always rely on for comfort . I guess playing the piano goes along with music as well . . haha :) I wish I practiced more often . I'd probably be much better . I love the feeling of accomplishment when you've finished learning a new piece of music though . When I was in high school I told my mom at least once a month that I wanted to quit taking piano lessons . I hated practicing . I hated going to lessons . I hated performing in recitals . But my mom never let me quit . " Emily, if you quit you'll regret it one day . . . " GOOD THING KATHY STUCK HER GROUND AND MADE ME KEEP PLAYING . I love the piano . I probably like it more now since I don't have to practice every single day and go to lessons. . . but with my calling in church I do have to practice and learn new hymns, and it's really not all that bad . It's great actually :)

 

 

Autumn
Can this weather get any more perfect? I highly doubt it . I know I've mentioned this before, but I just LOVE fall and this time of year . Usually  at this time of year I go outside on my deck and just sit and take in the sun . It makes me happy to just sit outside and think, read, and get some sun on my legs . It's my last chance before winter hits . So I have the soak up that sun all I can !



Compliments
When was the last time you gave someone a compliment? Hopefully TODAY ! They always make you feel good . And who doesn't want to feel good? Especially if you're having a bad day . . . It's nice to know that there are still people in this world that care about others . That's another simple gesture that brings joy to my life . A few weeks back my sweet Aunt Linda sent me a card in the mail saying, " Thank you for being awesome and beautiful. I love you ." I thought that was very thoughtful of her . Can she be any sweeter? It's those simple things people do to make someone else's day . SO GREAT ! Go out and do or say something nice to someone today . It will be rewarding, I promise .

 

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Here's a great video to make you think about the things that matter most to you in life . . .

 

 " 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 gratiude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy. " -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I'll end my post at that . Those are just a few things in my life that bring me joy . . .
and that's probably one of my favorite quotes . Ponder those words . Are you truly happy? Do you find joy in those everyday moments? I hope so .

BE HAPPY :)