Happiness is a journey - Hop on board!

Note to self (I'm having this conversation with myself)...
The start of each new year gives us all a time to reflect on the past year. I find it interesting that 'the past' is like an attitude. Psychologically when a new year begins we shift gears and go into auto mode and move 'forward.' This is a good thing. A lot of folks try to make New Years Resolutions, which most of the time end up forgotten or get lost in life's shuffle. The root word is 'resolve'. I like that term. Resolve is to do better or to improve upon a given thing or action. I do not make resolutions. Each day is my opportunity to improve over the previous day, 365 days a year.

For this year I have decided each day to -
1-Do a good deed, no matter how insignificant. Only I need to be aware of it, no one else.
2-Have a positive attitude, at least for part of the day, and be grateful.
3-Help others feel better after talking with them. (There is a difference between 'with' and 'to'.)

I am the Visiting Teaching Coordinator in my ward. We have 170 sisters so that calls for constant change. In talking 'with' our sisters I noticed that some just remain 'down in the dumps'. I have a quote on my erase board on the refrigerator...'Happiness is an attitude!' I also like the one ...'Happiness is a journey'...and I've added...'Hop on board!' I also think a good dose of 'laughter' is healthy! When you see a child smile or laugh it fills you with joy! Adults should smile and laugh more often as children do. Hmmm, find the 'child' within myself. :o)

If we make it a resolve to 'be happy' we feel better and that spills over onto others and makes them happier. I loved Pres. Hinckley's attitude...be grateful and things are going to get better and don't be down. Satan has many tools to bring us down to his level of misery. I choose NOT to be on that team! I like Polly Anna's attitude when she gives the note to the minister and explains to him that her father preached the 'happy texts' because it made people feel better. The Lord blessed us to have 'JOY'! When I looked in the Topical Guide of our scriptures..pages 260-261 the word 'joy' is replete with scriptures to look up!

I will BE HAPPY! :o)