So I made it the big 2-9 wow I never really thought that I would get to be this old... and really how is it that I can call 29 as old, but you know us youngins' and our mentality. So the bishopric thought that a talk would be the best b'day present ever and so ask me to give one. It's amazing how much you learn with a great topic like pick your favorite General Conference talk and so for those who've missed my ramblings enjoy :)
With everything that has been going on in ours and I’m sure many of your lives I felt a great comfort from Pres. Monson’s Sunday morning address during conference. In it he said: “one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.”
Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly….
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.”
He went on to say that one of the greatest lessons we are to learn is to “distinguish between what is important and what is not.” That we not let the “most important things pass [us] by. Instead, to find joy in the journey—now.
So, how is it that we can find joy in our journeys in time of adversity? Elder Wirthin in GC said “If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.” I’m not sure about ya’ll but his promise of greatest happiness definitely peaked my interest. He then gave 4 suggestions to help us find this joy.
1. Learn to laugh- The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.
• China shots- laughy taffy jokes (Why does a milk stool only have 3 legs)
• Find your stress laugh- keep doing it until you feel so silly you’re laughing
• Keep a family story close to you so when things get tough you can laugh/ or even a picture that makes you laugh.
• Make memories so that we might have “June roses in the Decembers of our lives”
2. Seek for the eternal- We may often feel like the only one when adversity enters your life. But eventually at one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt.
One of my favorite quotes that helps me keep my perspective is from the Teachings of President Gordon B. Hinkley is one he got from Jenkins Lloyd Jones ,
“Anyone who imagines that bliss [in marriage] is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.
“[The fact is] most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …
“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride”
• D&C 121: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; “And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”
With that eternal perspective, we can take comfort from these words just as the Prophet Joseph Smith did in Liberty Jail.
3. Understand the principle of compensation- The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. “While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.”
D&C 58: 2-5 “For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that akeepeth my commandments, whether in life or in bdeath; and he that is cfaithful in dtribulation, the ereward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural aeyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the bglory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much atribulation come the bblessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be ccrowned with much dglory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”
A couple of days ago my husband received his motorcycle license which in turn meant that I received my motorcycle ride. I’ll be honest I was scared to death. My grandpa used to call them murder- cycles and I’d seen one to many accidents but I knew it was something that he wanted me to try. So I hopped on the back said a little prayer and held on tight. At first my body wanted to do the opposite of what it was supposed to- I wanted to correct the lean of the motorcycle instead of going with it. I wanted to go as slow as possible like 25 MPH, but the other cars around us didn’t seem to think that was a good idea in a 50 MPH zone. So I closed my eyes and let go of my insecurities. I found that when I closed my eyes I was able to enjoy the ride (at least around the turns) In closing my eyes I gave my trust over to Brian, I was able to lean into the turns and let the speed go. In a way I learned what it was like to give Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ my full trust, giving him the control.
4. Put our trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 2 Ne. 22: 2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.
Since my sophmore year of college I’ve had a motto that “I can do hard things.” After listening to Sis Dalton’s talk I’m starting to wonder if I got it from a fireside or talk, but I too would agree with her that it should be “In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things.”
As Matthew said repeating the Savior “Take my ayoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am cmeek and dlowly in eheart: and ye shall find frest unto your souls. For my yoke is aeasy, and my burden is light.
I know we can do hard things as we let go of our control and hand our trust over to our Savior and that with an eternal perspective and a little laughter we can know that the blessing to come will be greater than we can imagine and enjoy our own personal journeys.
Echoing the words of President Monson and Elder Wirthlin, it is my prayer that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey. And as Elder Wirthlin’ mother said, “Come what may and love it!”
