Thought of the Sunday 28

My thought this week comes from a General Conference talk by President Uchtdorf entitled: Of Regrets and Resolutions.  It is a really fabulous talk.  He outlines three things that people generally regret when they get to the end of their lives:

• I wish I had spent more time with the people I love
• I wish I had lived up to my potential
• I wish I had let myself be happier

When I read this talk this week I was affected most by the third regret: I wish I had let myself be happier.  I don't think I am an unhappy person but some of the quotes from the section were very good.

"So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial."  In one of my cases I would really like to move from our current location and it is very difficult to be patient.  It would be easy to say that 'I would just be happy if we could move,' but that's not the right attitude, right?  Nope.  I should be able to find joy in whatever circumstances I am in.  He says further, "...no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish.  There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it."

So this is what I'm going to try to do starting now: find the good in each day and be grateful for it.  I can still set goals and have hopes but I don't have to dwell on them and focus on them to the exclusion of all else.  There is much joy to be had in my present day and life and I appreciated being reminded of that.