All is Well

I just read a great article in the Ensign by President Uchtdorf - All is Well.  In my course of work I see many parents, teens and children that can't seem to grasp and hold onto happiness.  In my own life I am often wondering if I am doing enough, which then leads to --- am I enough.

Tenants to live by: FAMILY. Stu is
waiting patiently outside a dressing
room as Addie tries on several out-
fits.  Welcome to preteen girl!!

"It is one of the great ironies of our age, that we are blessed with so much and yet we can be so unhappy."  It makes me wonder what brings lasting happiness.  It certainly doesn't come from circumstance.  As the above statement indicates- the pioneers circumstances were anything but joyful and yet in their hearts they found joy.  While many people have ease and "fun" things, the deep joy is missing.  "They (the pioneers) woke up each morning with clearly defined purposes and goals that everyone understood." I think (now you can think different but it is my blog - so I get to type my opinion- feel free to comment and share yours) ... I think happiness comes from living in accordance with those defined purposes - but the goal that we live towards is what makes the difference.  If our clearly defined purposes are transient - such as success in something transient - then that happiness is not lasting- we must win another trophy - get another A - earn more money etc...

So what is lasting?

We can't wait for more family
adventures in New England

I came home yesterday and Adderly said she just couldn't keep helping Stuart with the pool it was taking too long.  I asked how long and she said 5 minutes.  --- Now if that isn't indication of transient.    The ability to call or text someone without putting thought into what we say - to live second to second instead of planning out our day, our week etc..  brings irritation and angst.   In the course of my studies, child development has fascinated me.  Infants need to know they will be fed and taken care of, toddlers need to know that the world has order - consequences - both natural and imposed that come from the choices they make.  When the world has order, they can then move forward knowing what their purpose is.  As we move into adulthood we start to create our own order and purpose - we define our own goals and standards and therein lies the worry, the irritation and the angst.  If we are not bound to something more lasting to determine our order- our mindset and goals we live in constant flux and irritation.  While it is important to live in the now- we want to be alert and present in each situation and not so focused on the future that we don't take joy in each little period of our life, we not to live now with

a mind on the future.  We live now with the DEFINED PURPOSES AND GOALS OF ETERNITY.  Happiness comes when our ultimate goal is based on deeper meaning and purpose - we can then enjoy all the little 5 minute periods that bring us closer to that goal, that help us learn, that bind us together as eternal brothers and sisters.

So what brings you lasting happiness, what rocks or tenants of life do you live by?  Our you true to them?

One of my tenants is compassion - I find when I start treating others (unfortunately and especially my family) unkindly, the unhappiness seeps in; and fairly quickly - because I am not living according to an eternal purpose.

Based on the article and my ponderings I am more determined to have a tenant of the day - to work towards a loftier lasting goal, to be in the moment with an eye on eternity.  What will be the tenant of your day so that you can awake with a defined purpose and goal?