Finding JOY in the Journey

Here we are again. . .  At the beginning of a new year. I have had many different resolutions in years past, but this year I have really thought about what I want to have my goal be for 2016. I am going to FIND JOY IN MY JOURNEY.

My life is so different than it has ever, ever been. This year, I am a single mother to a busy preschooler and rambunctious toddler. I am more spiritual than I have ever been. I am confident in who I am, where I am going, and what I want to become. I know that this phase in my life will change, I could lose these feelings, and I can get stronger. There is one thing in this life that is certain.... CHANGE.

I have been listening to President Monson's October 2008 Conference message, he talks about how to find the Joy in the Journey. He talks of change:

"Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.... Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes."

"Time never stands still..." How true this is. We have had a lot of change over this last year, and I have really wanted time to stand still numerous times. President Monson mentions because time is moving on so rapidly we must LIVE FOR TODAY. This can be hard to do with many pressures and temptations around us.

With all the change and emotions that I have had this year, it has been hard to find JOY. Let's define joy:

 

A feeling of great pleasure? I have been happy these last 4 months, but there are few times I have felt joy until recently. GREAT PLEASURE. There is a difference between Joy and Happiness. Joy I believe swells within you, you are happy, glad, elated, and pleased all at once. You can see the bright side of the situation despite of the darkness around us. And because of that darkness we can find the joy.

I have two grandmothers who have both passed away. One's name was Joyce, the other Joy. I grew up associating the word Joy to my Grandmother's names and not much else besides Christmas. I now know that having these wonderful ladies names be Joy was perfect. They were and are such wonderful women who are still working from the other side to bring me joy. I remember seeing my Grandma Joy's rear-view mirror ornament that said JOY in her car. I always thought it strange that she would have a Christmas decoration hanging in her car, and the same with magnets on her fridge that said JOY all year round. Yes, I knew it was her name. But I didn't think Joy was something we had or talked about until Christmas.

It wasn't until a couple months ago that I realized it was my mission to find Joy. I was happy. I was ok. I was doing everything the Lord was wanting me to. I was listening to promptings, praying, reading, listening to talks, attending the temple.... But I realized I wasn't enJOYing my life or my kids. Joy is something that has to be sought after and held close or you can lose it.

I don't know if I would have realized how much I was missing Joy until I lost my husband. Sometimes, especially in hard times we are just trying to get through our day. We can find happiness and good times a long the way, but we need to seek out the joy in situations. Because of these hard times, and my realization that I was missing it, I seek out opportunities to find my own Joy in my journey.

We must give someone joy, serve others in order to receive it. President Monson states:

"Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

Live for today and do these things today! I know when I find opportunities to serve, or tell others I love them. It mends a little piece of my broken heart. I have been blessed abundantly because of my service to others during my journey as a widow. It is not easy. Not at all especially when you are hurting so badly, but reaching out and doing something sooo simple - paying for someone's $1 toll, paying for their meal, cleaning the temple, and donating socks to homeless shelters. Shoveling a neighbor's walk, or cleaning off your brother's windshield. Baking cookies, or just a SMILE to someone who needs a happy glance in their bad days can go a long way. There are so many things we can do to find joy and give it.

I am actually excited for a new year, a new chance to make a difference. Because of my faith, and my testimony, the Lord has blessed me abundantly. I serve better, I love stronger, I endure more faithfully. I have hope that this year will be a great one, and even it turns out to not be, I can look back on it and say that I have fully felt joy. 2016 will be filled with new people and new opportunities to help me find the Joy in my Journey....

Happy New Year Family Picture! {Cheese!}