Throughout our life we are faced with many choices. These choices, whether big or small chart the course of our lives. We get to choose who our friends are, what homework we do [or choose not to do], where we go on adventures, and even how many scoops of ice cream we get to eat. While some choices come easily, others come quite hard- through lots of humble prayers, fasting, and even sacrificing. One of the best choices I have yet to make, was the choice to choose happiness.
Happiness is such a personal thing. It amazes me how many millions of things can make a single person happy. For some, it is easier to be happy in tough situations, while others may struggle while finding reasons to be happy. But no matter who you are, or what you may being going through, you have the chance to choose happiness. You are in charge of your own reactions, no matter what may be happening. To be happy is to see the silver lining, no matter the circumstance. Everyday we are faced with this choice; the choice between dwelling on the negative, or focusing on the significant things, no matter how small. For me, I was a freshman in High School when I chose to [try and] be happy in every situation.
STORY TIME (feel free to skip)-
Freshman year was one of the hardest years for me, I felt like everyone had a place, and I was just simply there. I did well in school, but I felt alone, and often forgotten. My friends, as wonderful as they were, had their own problems and I had no idea where to turn. One month, I want to say in the winter, I had a lesson about the enabling power of the atonement. Boy, did that lesson change my entire life. I realized that Christ not only suffered for my sins, which is nothing short of miraculous, but has also felt every single thing I have had to endure. I had never before felt as much peace as I had that Sunday in Young Women's. From that moment on, I have never felt the need to feel alone, and I realized that no one is ever forgotten. That alone made me feel quite better, but it was still a constant struggle to go to school and stay happy. A few weeks after my YW's lesson, I was reading in the New Era and I stumbled across an article about a girl who decided that she was going to smile, and be happy no matter what tests she had that day, or what trial she happened to be going through. Her friends slowly noticed and asked how she could be so happy, even though she was doing through hard times.I honestly thought that was the weirdest, and hardest thing anyone could choose to do.But she responded by saying she had just chose happiness. Recognizing I had nothing to lose, I gave it a try. Best decision I have made. Simply being happy, and smiling has led me to countless missionary opportunities, because apparently it isn't too common to always have a smile on your face. Two years after reading this article, I still find it rather hard to choose happiness, but I strive to everyday. When we choose to see all the small blessings we have been given, we instantly can become happier.
I am so very grateful for the wonderful things in my life that bring me happiness- The sunshine, trampolines, birds chirping, bonfires, singing songs, Disney movies, rainbows, sunflowers, peach colored roses, kind notes, smiling, rainbow sprinkles, ice cream cones, sticky fingers, chalk, the atonement, mission calls, my friends, candid pictures, and most importantly the glorious true gospel on the Earth today. I am grateful that we have the ability to personally choose to be happy. Because being happy is one of my absolute favorite things. And with the words of my pal M. Russell Ballard, "The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours." I encourage you to choose happiness, and seek out reasons to have a smile on your face, no matter what type of day you may be having this month.
A few reasons I have already found to be happy during April......
Happiness is such a personal thing. It amazes me how many millions of things can make a single person happy. For some, it is easier to be happy in tough situations, while others may struggle while finding reasons to be happy. But no matter who you are, or what you may being going through, you have the chance to choose happiness. You are in charge of your own reactions, no matter what may be happening. To be happy is to see the silver lining, no matter the circumstance. Everyday we are faced with this choice; the choice between dwelling on the negative, or focusing on the significant things, no matter how small. For me, I was a freshman in High School when I chose to [try and] be happy in every situation.
STORY TIME (feel free to skip)-
Freshman year was one of the hardest years for me, I felt like everyone had a place, and I was just simply there. I did well in school, but I felt alone, and often forgotten. My friends, as wonderful as they were, had their own problems and I had no idea where to turn. One month, I want to say in the winter, I had a lesson about the enabling power of the atonement. Boy, did that lesson change my entire life. I realized that Christ not only suffered for my sins, which is nothing short of miraculous, but has also felt every single thing I have had to endure. I had never before felt as much peace as I had that Sunday in Young Women's. From that moment on, I have never felt the need to feel alone, and I realized that no one is ever forgotten. That alone made me feel quite better, but it was still a constant struggle to go to school and stay happy. A few weeks after my YW's lesson, I was reading in the New Era and I stumbled across an article about a girl who decided that she was going to smile, and be happy no matter what tests she had that day, or what trial she happened to be going through. Her friends slowly noticed and asked how she could be so happy, even though she was doing through hard times.I honestly thought that was the weirdest, and hardest thing anyone could choose to do.But she responded by saying she had just chose happiness. Recognizing I had nothing to lose, I gave it a try. Best decision I have made. Simply being happy, and smiling has led me to countless missionary opportunities, because apparently it isn't too common to always have a smile on your face. Two years after reading this article, I still find it rather hard to choose happiness, but I strive to everyday. When we choose to see all the small blessings we have been given, we instantly can become happier.
I am so very grateful for the wonderful things in my life that bring me happiness- The sunshine, trampolines, birds chirping, bonfires, singing songs, Disney movies, rainbows, sunflowers, peach colored roses, kind notes, smiling, rainbow sprinkles, ice cream cones, sticky fingers, chalk, the atonement, mission calls, my friends, candid pictures, and most importantly the glorious true gospel on the Earth today. I am grateful that we have the ability to personally choose to be happy. Because being happy is one of my absolute favorite things. And with the words of my pal M. Russell Ballard, "The voice of the Lord is clear and unmistakable. He knows you. He loves you. He wants you to be eternally happy. But according to your God-given agency, the choice is yours." I encourage you to choose happiness, and seek out reasons to have a smile on your face, no matter what type of day you may be having this month.
A few reasons I have already found to be happy during April......
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| Having the opportunity to serve on Studco next year with some of my best friends |
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| Getting a whole container of rainbow sprinkles from my best friend |
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| Hiking with Tanner during Spring Break. Hip Hip Hooray for fun adventures |
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| Finding a cute little seal while at the beach |
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| Having best friends open their mission call, and preparing to serve the Lord |
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| Riding a horse at the happiest place on Earth |
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| Getting weird life lessons from a witch doctor |
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| Being with my favorite sisters in Disneyland |
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