Finding Happy...
Finding Happy...
This week I took a little trip down memory lane.
Meet my grandparents on my dad's side. First glance at this picture you might make some assumptions that these are not very happy people, but maybe well enough content. (I think back in the day people were instructed not to smile or move while taking a picture to keep it from being blurry). I have found that reading about them and learning what they did in life and the experiences they had shares a story of the unique nature of happiness.
Frank and Rhoda married quite young and lived a life of great trials. Yet as I read my grandfathers history, he repeatedly shared the lessons he had learned and his gratitude to the Lord for the bounty that they enjoyed in life. After my Grandmother Rhoda died he said, "We lived a happy life together, we loved each other." ..."I tried to make the best of life...sometimes people dwell on their own troubles, but...there is always someone that is a little worse off than we are."..."May the Lord keep and bless my children. Keep them in the path of truth and save them in his kingdom."
As I looked at this photo I couldn't help noticing the calendar behind them reading July 1937. As I am writing this the day before July 2022, 85 years later, I wonder what they would say about my journey. What were the lessons they learned and sacrifices they made with the hope that I could find strength from them? Even my mere existence is a result of their perseverance and faithful journey.
I have written a book about each of my grandparents. They are a very quick overview of some of the important dates and events of their amazing lives. I had to really consolidate, but wanted to give my grandchildren enough to peak their curiosity about who they are and the strength found in knowing from whom we came. My parents too are an inspiration to me and taught me that happiness is found in loving, enduring, faithfulness, developing, accomplishing etc. (Below, my parents each in the last year of their lives, loving on my grandchildren. Nothing brought them greater joy than this). Memory lane lead me to understand even more than ever that ...Family truly is the answer to "Finding Happy..." and how it leads to fulfillment.
What I Have Learned...
From "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Cautionary Tale" (BYU-I Lesson material)
- That "Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness' is 'a cautionary tale'. I must beware of where the world would tell me that happiness is found.
- Money will not buy you happiness or health. The government cannot control my happiness.
- Relationships matter!
- A good marriage trumps good health. Compassion and care for another outlasts passionate love.
- Progress trumps income. Shakespeare noted: "Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing."
- I am already quite happy...Life is good!
- Decisions I make today do effect my future.
- Fulfillment is different than pleasure or satisfaction. It grows from the perspective of doing good with the opportunities given in life.
- Find your flow. Stretch and grow.
- See life as a gift! Feeling gratitude can make you happier and more satisfied.
- Embrace your mistakes
- Connect with God!
What I Have Yet to Learn...
- Still trying to figure how Jim Ritchie's success formula can be put to practice with what we have started. I think part of it is just renaming what we have going on already.
- Still working on listening skills. I get so excited to share what I am learning, I sometimes overtake the conversation. I know that is not the right way.
- Still seeking direction in my life calling. Also confidence that I can.
- Still learning to have more patience.
I feel you can use it in every aspect of life.
- "Fill our minds with truth."
- "Fill your lives with Service."
- "Fill your hearts with love."
- Keep working on contact list!
- Plan Brets Birthday
- Work on chair covers
- Contact those I minister to
- Read the Constitution of the United States to commemorate the 4th of July
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