Today I Choose To Be Happy

I thought I was having a bad day, until I realized…

I woke up this morning in a comfy bed, in a room filled with my things that I love.

I woke up with the knowledge that I am a Daughter of God and He loves me.

I was craving Jamba Juice – so I went and got one for breakfast on my way to work, because I can afford it and have a car that is reliable.

I went to work – because I have a job. A good job I love. A job with co-workers who make me feel like a million bucks every day. A job that pays me well, so I don’t need to live paycheck to paycheck.

During work I listened to Pandora – because I have a good phone that allows me to stream Internet radio. I listened to a couple of conference talks, because God loves me enough to call Prophets and Apostles to teach me, support me and strengthen me.

After work I went to Tae Kwon Do, which I LOVE!  I saw my Tae Kwon Do friends, got cheered on, got some fist bumps and was pushed to the limit. I can go because I have a healthy body that can do miraculous things, and because I am lucky enough to be able to afford it.

Then I met a dear friend and we drank Jamba Juices (Again! What a good day for me!) and sat outside in the beautiful mountainous Utah talking for over an hour. Because I have the time to spend nourishing friendships, and because I live in a country where there is no war, famine or other life altering hardships.

I’m again sitting in my room, streaming Pandora, typing on a lovely Mac in the safety and comfort of the place I live.

Tomorrow, I’ll wake up and have the pleasure of driving Tim downtown, where I’ll get to work in the Church Office Building, across from the Temple, where members of the 70 are rampant, and the 12 working across the beautiful flower patch in their own special building. I’ll get to walk in the beautiful flowers that are kept so well in Temple Square.

I’ll get to meet an old friend (she’s not old! Our friendship is old! Don’t worry Alison, we’re still young!) for lunch at one of my favorite places to eat, Kneaders.

Yeah, life is overwhelming sometimes, and I still have things that are less than perfect in this little life of mine. But all things considered, I’m doing just fine. Tomorrow the sun will rise and shine, I’ll make the decision to be happy or to let things overwhelm me. It’s my day, my path, my decision. 

I'm choosing to face each day with courage and prayer. It's still hard sometimes - oh goodness sometimes it's really hard! But I'm one flower away from a bigger smile, one conversation away from being more understanding, one prayer away from being more like Christ, one service project away from being less selfless. I'm one heartbeat away from experiencing deeper love. I'm one smile away from a new friend. I'm one tear away from less sin. I'm one hard time away from something incredible and miraculous.