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I came across this great read this morning... it's a good reminder to smile through life, no matter what:
Difficulties are a part of life. There are ups and downs. That fact
reminds me of a story shared by Elder Marion D. Hanks, an emeritus
member of the First Quorum of Seventy: “A father [is] aboard an airplane on a short business trip. He has
with him his 5-year-old son and is almost wishing his son were not there
because it is a very rough trip. There are downdrafts and updrafts and
head winds alternating with tailwinds, and some passengers are feeling a
bit queasy. Apprehensively, the father glances at his son and finds
him grinning from ear to ear. ‘Dad,’ he says, ‘do they do this just to
make it fun for the kids?’” (Changing Channels,” Ensign, November 1990,
38)
How many times in the scriptures does the Lord command us to “be of
good cheer” or “lift up your heart and rejoice” and “be exceedingly
glad”? We should remember that happiness is a commandment and not merely a suggestion (see D&C 78:17-19; 31:3; 127:3). – Elder Joe J. Christensen, “A Reason to Smile,” Ensign, February 2002, p. 58
You ask, “What is the price of happiness?” First you must live the
gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity and simplicity – not a half-hearted
compliance, but hewing to the line. And this means an all-out devoted
consecration to the great program of salvation and exaltation. An
orthodox manner. The second, you must forget yourself and love your
companion more than yourself. As you do these things, happiness can be
yours in great and never-ending abundance. – President Spencer W. Kimball
A good reminder to not be "half-hearted" in our gospel compliance!
May your day be filled with a whole hearted desire to shine, and lots of reasons to smile, like this sunset that made me smile last night!
