Finding Joy in the Journey

My thoughts on Pres. Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey"



I've always had a hard time with the changing of Presidents in the Church. Not that it has happened all that much in my life time, but it just seems it takes me a good two or three years before I truly love the new president as much as I did the last one. I'm not sure if it is because I have heard President Monson my entire life, love his down home stories, because I'm more mature (that is up for debate) or if this constant study of his words has made that transition smoother, faster or whatever. Nevertheless, I've grown to love this man faster than I thought and definitely fast than the last transition between Presidents. I just find that curious.

This talk was for me. I'm glad the rest of you enjoyed it, but he was speaking to me and me alone. When I heard it I cried. When I read it I cried. When I reread it I cry again. In the past eight years there has been a lot in my life that just hasn't gone right--no that's not the correct phrase. It is more honest to say, "the way I wanted it to go and had planned for it to go." Those of you who know me well, know most of the reasons why I might say something like that, but long ago my mom taught me that despite all the reasons why you could reasonably be justified in being angry, depressed or upset at the world--you have no ground to stand on if you have food, shelter, water and love.

I haven't lost any of those things--in fact they have only gotten better, so I shouldn't feel down. But life happens as we lose perspective. We just need an "eye exam" to set us straight. This was my "eye exam".

"Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes."

This is the one principle of science I understand all to well every morning when my alarm goes off and the bags are still under my eyes and the wrinkles are just a bit deeper. DANG is all i have to say. ~smile~

"I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
I could quit typing now and just say, "AMEN!"

You do collect yesterdays waiting for tomorrow.
"My brothers and sisters, there is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today."

I guess I will stop saying, "Leave me alone, we can do that tomorrow." I need to stop and do it today. I have to remember that story about Arthur Gordon and his father. "But childhood doesn't [keep coming back]."

"Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future."
YEP!

"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us."

This statement reminds me of Elder Oaks' talk "Good, Better, Best". We need to remember what is best in our life--our family and the memories we are building today. We can't change the memory we gave them for yesterday, but we can made a new memory for today. I hate to bring up my business in this forum, but that is why I named my business what I did: Sunshine Memories. We need to catch the memories while the sun is shining in our lives. While we are alive and vibrant. We need to make memories today because one thing that will happen to us all is we will leave this world. If we don't make memories now....

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." My new motto as I deal with my teens. Now if only it will get embedded in my thoughts. Maybe I need to repeat that every morning (where are my post-it notes?).

If you had just 25 words, what would they be?
I have to think about that one and get back to you.

Here is my big epiphany for the day: "Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings."
You can tell exactly what is important to a child by listening to their prayers. Their "blesses" and "thank you's" can tell you a lot about what is important to them. I will have to listen closely tonight to my own prayer.

"Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

As a homeschooling mom I do fill my life with that which matters the most to me: my children. I never pray (except in public) without thanking my Father in Heaven for my children. They were not easy to get, hard to get out and sometimes a pain to raise, but I wouldn't do it any other way. I love them and am so thankful they are mine. I'm sure someday when they are older and wiser they will thank their Father in Heaven for letting me be their mother. I know it took me way too long to figure that one out. I knew it, but I don't think I ever said it out loud until I was older--much to old.

Now I need to go find my "joy" they are around here somewhere--probably making a mess and I'm going to find joy in cleaning it up. It would be sad if I didn't have a mess to clean up ~smile~.