Lesson #2- Love. Love yourself, love your life, love others, do things you love, surround yourself with people and things you love, go places you love, find new things to love, and when you do this, you'll always be happy, even in the hardest of times.
I've always disliked winter. I don't ski or snowboard, I occasionally sled, but that's about the extent of my winter sporting skills. Needless to say I have been thrilled to see the beautiful sunshine out. The first day the temperature rose, my sister and I went for a walk that ended up lasting a few hours. It felt so good to be out! We went on one everyday that there was nice weather until it dropped again. I then made it a goal to soak up that sunshine every time it came out, and I've happily succeeded. It has gotten me out and being active and I think I've found one missing puzzle piece!
As the days have continued getting warmer, I have found myself doing much more outside than any of the past years. In high school I would come home, chill, then spend time doing homework. This led to the majority of outside time on the weekends. Now that I'm home most of the day, I can go outside whenever I want and stay out there as long as I want, and that makes
me happy.
I've found a hobby in writing my LDS missionary friends (which has now added up to more than ten...) and I love that. It's such an uplifting thing to hear from people who do nothing but devote every second of everyday to serving the Lord. It always makes me want to do better, which gets me making new goals for the week. This has been a good thing for me. It's especially great hearing from two of my best friends who are serving in Croatia and Portugal. Those letters give me my boost for the week and make my heart so happy. Getting the mail has become one of the most exciting things ever. Who knew a mailbox could be so fun?
I've began taking more pictures again. I've always been fascinated with photography and the way you can capture time. With the weather being nice, and even when it's a little gloomy out, I've been out taking pictures of the beautiful world. It's amazing what you can find when you actually open your eyes and look!
"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today." - President Thomas S. Monson
The end of Sophomore year and my entire Junior year of high school I had been taken under into a dark time of my life. I've always been a happy person, but that just wasn't the case anymore. Then from some help from a dear LDS Seminary teacher, and a lot of personal changes, I decided to make my outlook on life a little different. It didn't matter what others thought about me, or where I fit in compared to the others. All that mattered was my happiness, and my progression towards the ultimate goal.
I love myself and who I've become, and I strive to be better everyday. I know who I am, and I'm proud of that. At one point in a Seminary lesson, my teacher told the class to do the things you love that bring you true happiness. I've found those again this week. Or maybe just re-recognized them.
Last night, I spontaneously went out and played some tennis with a good friend of mine that I ran into after eight months, and we went on a 6 1/2 mile walk. Sore legs, plans for the upcoming week, and a few heart to heart talks later I realized that I am extremely blessed to be surrounded by people I love that will do the things I love with me. People who continually build me up, support me, and help me stay positive. People who remind me of who I am and who I want to be. Life can get hard, throw you curve balls, and direct you onto unknown paths, but without fail, if you surround yourself with love in all forms, you can always be happy. And I can honestly say, without the slightest bit of hesitation, I am so happy.
"Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine." - President Gordon B. Hinckley
