Change
It's peculiar to me that people are always so back and forth about change. We long for change, but then we look back and wish for things from yesterday. On the other hand, we can try to avoid change, but then we feel badly about a lack of progression and the monotony of wearing the same shoes and facing the same world everyday.
Change is hard. Change is good. Change is scary. The number of words that could describe change is endless, really. I do believe that change must be an essential part of Heavenly Father's plan because it's something that happens to everyone, sometimes without our control. Sometimes change is thrust upon us. Sometimes it comes because of a choice we made. That's when decisions are the hardest... when the result creates a lot of change to what we're currently comfortable with.
Change usually adds a little bit of friction to our personal comfort bubbles. Without friction, diamonds would forever be just ordinary rocks. Perhaps then we are all "diamonds in the rough" as we undergo the friction patterns of life to eventually be something better than we are now.
Happiness
Who are the happiest of people? What is it about their life that makes them feel so much joy? Are those with sufficient money happy? Are those with an abundance of money more happy? Perhaps those with children are the most happy. Are those that work happy? Are younger people happier than older people?
It seems to me that everyone in this world, despite their present circumstances, has reason to be joyful and they probably have reasons to feel sadness as well. So the answer is, present circumstances do not determine happiness, YOU do. I believe the key is being comfortable with who you are inside. When you are happy with the type of person you are, it does not matter if you have money, if you live in a trailer park, if you have 10 kids, or if you hate your job. It all comes down to being comfortable in your own skin, your ability to adapt to whatever it is that has come your way, and your desire to be positive about where you are NOW.
Perhaps what spawned this trail of thoughts today came from something Joe said to me this morning. He told me that he loved me. Sometimes when he says that phrase, I'll ask him why just to get an idea of his thoughts that led him to expressing his feelings. Today, his response was, "Because you're a fighter. You put up with hard times and difficult circumstances and you make the most of it." The response that followed in my head was, "What else would I do? Give Up?" That option seems far more daunting than pressing forward.
Even though life sometimes feels like we're pressing forward with our feet deep in mud, we have to to strive to be happy because there's just no telling if we'll ever walk on cleared streets. Heavenly Father rarely paints clear skies and a rut-free road to heaven, but he does offer his helping hand through every rut, pot hole, dip, curve, and detour. Knowing this helps us feel happier while in the ruts and lifts us to higher ground in the end. It's hope, optimism, and a reliance on our Heavenly Father that gives us the energy to endure the changes and allows us to feel happiness in pushing onward.
Even though life sometimes feels like we're pressing forward with our feet deep in mud, we have to to strive to be happy because there's just no telling if we'll ever walk on cleared streets. Heavenly Father rarely paints clear skies and a rut-free road to heaven, but he does offer his helping hand through every rut, pot hole, dip, curve, and detour. Knowing this helps us feel happier while in the ruts and lifts us to higher ground in the end. It's hope, optimism, and a reliance on our Heavenly Father that gives us the energy to endure the changes and allows us to feel happiness in pushing onward.
5 comments:
Well said, Natalie. Well said. I think you are a really great person, did you know that? Well I do. I feel lucky to be related to you. I appreciate this post. More than you know really. It seems like I am always on a quest of making sure that my "inner happiness/good attitude" is always in check. Sometimes it gets out of wack and I develop a bad attitude of sorts due to my situation in life or other things....life, change and circumstances are all 110% of what we make of it OURSELVES. And I wish it was more easily said than done (but what would be the point, right?). Good luck with your quest. You are great.
Thanks Nat! I thought the same thing after writing this...easier said than done. Thanks for leaving me a comment... I love em and they make me feel like what I write is important to somebody. :)
I don't think that could have been said any better. I often think that the reason I've never had an extremely hard challenge given to me is because I wouldn't be able to handle it. I probably would want to give up. I don't think I would, but I think it would be my default reaction. You are an amazing person, Nat. Just thought you should know that! Thanks for the post and I hope everything is alright.
YUM, Nat! I want you to cook for me! So much food, so good looking!
Also, this post is so true! How strange it is that we all have the power within us for happiness, but we often look everywhere else for it instead! Good reminder.
Natalie, I don't get on blogs very often but I just randomly read this post and had to comment. I've thought a lot about those two topics as well and just wanted to tell you that I really like your thoughts and thanks for sharing! Miss you guys.
Post a Comment