We all want to be happy, but how do we gain happiness?
Embracing these three truths will take your ability to be happy to new heights:
1) There is a higher power
Many people, even those who are not part of organized religion, acknowledge the existence of a "higher power". Comedian and philanthropist, Ellen Degenerees stated,
"My dad is still Christian Scientist. My mom's not, and I'm not. But I believe in God, and that there's a higher power and an intelligence that's bigger than us and that we can rely on. It's not just us, thinking we are the ones in control of everything. That idea gives me support."
For most of my life I have believed in God and that He is my Father in heaven. Over time that belief has grown stronger. Recently, the idea of God as the literal Father of my spirit has become a life-changing reality. Through experiences and feelings, too sacred to share here, I have come to know for myself that there is a Higher Power. God is real, He is literally the Father of my spirit, and He loves me. He has been with me every second of my life. I have never been alone. He has always supported me and taught me, even in my darkest moments. He has great things in store for me. He wants my eternal happiness and He has many things to teach me. I am grateful for Him and His love. I am grateful for all the challenges in my life because I know they have furthered my education and make it possible for Him to teach me more.
In the arms of His love, I am able to heal and let go of things that might have been impossible for me otherwise.
God, truly, is love.
2) We need to have a good relationship with ourselves
"You would NEVER talk to other people the way that you talk to yourself," says self-help author Sean Stephenson. Self talk includes the beliefs we hold about ourselves, in general and in any given situation. It can be difficult to recognize when we are in negative "self talk" mode. Dieter Uchtdorf said:
"It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves."
Meditation is key here. We need moments of alone quiet time. Without others and without technology. Out in nature helps. Whether you like it or not you're constantly talking to yourself on a subconscious level and as we all know, the subconscious can get a little crazy. Have intentional conversations with yourself. Council with yourself and give yourself credit where credit is due and commit to make changes that you know aren't the best for yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and say, "Andrew, I sure love you you handsome devil." That may sound nuts, but not as much as the negative stuff your subconscious is feeding you. Love yourself, spend time with yourself. You are amazing!
3) We need a vision of the joy & importance of family life
I love watching the tv show The West Wing. Such a good show! However, there was a moment when Leo gets home and his wife announces she's leaving him. He sacrificed his family to take care of his duties at the White House as POTUS's chief of staff. At one point his wife says "nothing is more important than family" to which he says, "this is". Wrong, Leo.
President Russell M. Nelson stated,
"Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity."
Gina and I are so blessed to have peace and love in our home. She has taught me how to be a good parent. Her example of love and patience, let me say again PATIENCE, is unbelievable to me. She is responsive and not reactive. And I am moving ever further away from being reactive. She is teaching me the ways of the Force. I love being at home. I love my family and love spending time with them and learning from them. The greatest joys I have ever experienced have been inside the walls of my own home. And as Jack Johnson put it, "Home is wherever we are if there's love here too."
Most of my life I tried in vein to find true happiness. I looked in the wrong places, I looked to the wrong people, I listened to the wrong advice. These three things have brought joy into my life that I've never had before. Life is still hard. Having a baby and a 6 year old crying at the same time at the end of a long day is still stressful. But now my life has more focus and more purpose than it ever has. And the beauty of it is that I can keep working at these three areas. I can grow and cultivate these three areas of my life and continually increase my joy. I know that they can do the same for everyone.
Embracing these three truths will take your ability to be happy to new heights:
1) There is a higher power
Many people, even those who are not part of organized religion, acknowledge the existence of a "higher power". Comedian and philanthropist, Ellen Degenerees stated,
"My dad is still Christian Scientist. My mom's not, and I'm not. But I believe in God, and that there's a higher power and an intelligence that's bigger than us and that we can rely on. It's not just us, thinking we are the ones in control of everything. That idea gives me support."
For most of my life I have believed in God and that He is my Father in heaven. Over time that belief has grown stronger. Recently, the idea of God as the literal Father of my spirit has become a life-changing reality. Through experiences and feelings, too sacred to share here, I have come to know for myself that there is a Higher Power. God is real, He is literally the Father of my spirit, and He loves me. He has been with me every second of my life. I have never been alone. He has always supported me and taught me, even in my darkest moments. He has great things in store for me. He wants my eternal happiness and He has many things to teach me. I am grateful for Him and His love. I am grateful for all the challenges in my life because I know they have furthered my education and make it possible for Him to teach me more.
In the arms of His love, I am able to heal and let go of things that might have been impossible for me otherwise.
God, truly, is love.
2) We need to have a good relationship with ourselves
"You would NEVER talk to other people the way that you talk to yourself," says self-help author Sean Stephenson. Self talk includes the beliefs we hold about ourselves, in general and in any given situation. It can be difficult to recognize when we are in negative "self talk" mode. Dieter Uchtdorf said:
"It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves."
Meditation is key here. We need moments of alone quiet time. Without others and without technology. Out in nature helps. Whether you like it or not you're constantly talking to yourself on a subconscious level and as we all know, the subconscious can get a little crazy. Have intentional conversations with yourself. Council with yourself and give yourself credit where credit is due and commit to make changes that you know aren't the best for yourself. Look yourself in the mirror and say, "Andrew, I sure love you you handsome devil." That may sound nuts, but not as much as the negative stuff your subconscious is feeding you. Love yourself, spend time with yourself. You are amazing!
3) We need a vision of the joy & importance of family life
I love watching the tv show The West Wing. Such a good show! However, there was a moment when Leo gets home and his wife announces she's leaving him. He sacrificed his family to take care of his duties at the White House as POTUS's chief of staff. At one point his wife says "nothing is more important than family" to which he says, "this is". Wrong, Leo.
President Russell M. Nelson stated,
"Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity."
Gina and I are so blessed to have peace and love in our home. She has taught me how to be a good parent. Her example of love and patience, let me say again PATIENCE, is unbelievable to me. She is responsive and not reactive. And I am moving ever further away from being reactive. She is teaching me the ways of the Force. I love being at home. I love my family and love spending time with them and learning from them. The greatest joys I have ever experienced have been inside the walls of my own home. And as Jack Johnson put it, "Home is wherever we are if there's love here too."
Most of my life I tried in vein to find true happiness. I looked in the wrong places, I looked to the wrong people, I listened to the wrong advice. These three things have brought joy into my life that I've never had before. Life is still hard. Having a baby and a 6 year old crying at the same time at the end of a long day is still stressful. But now my life has more focus and more purpose than it ever has. And the beauty of it is that I can keep working at these three areas. I can grow and cultivate these three areas of my life and continually increase my joy. I know that they can do the same for everyone.