Monday, March 31, 2008
Our search for Happiness
"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same."
-Anne Frank
-Anne Frank
One thing I'm very sure about people is that, everyone in this world wants to be happy. Of course we do. Who doesn't? We usually do every possible way to find that happiness that will make our lives better and more colorful. We try new things, make new things or look for new things.
However, sometimes we do unnecessary things that we think are the best to feel happy although the truth is, they will just drown us into the depths of disappointment and sorrow. Also, there are times in our lives when we, ourselves, are the one who do not realize that we could actually feel happy every time... if we just allow ourselves to.
In our Guidance Office in school, there is a wall where you could write anything (by using post-its) that would make you happy. I think it's made so that we could actually think about what we really want in our lives. And by knowing what those are, we could eventually think of present and future actions that we need to make in order for those things to happen. I can't exactly remember what I wrote in there for the first time but I think it's shallow since I took it off away after a few weeks. But after that, I wrote there again something that at least much better than the first. I wrote, "Finding my Princess". As a result, our Guidance Adviser asked me if I already found her. But obviously I said I still haven't since that's the truth. Then my classmates looked at me. They were surprised to read something like that from me. Yeah, I don't really talk about that thing. I mean, love. Well, I do talk about it but only occasionally. But that time, I guess I just really wrote there the truth. That finding my future eternal companion will make me happy.
In our Guidance Office in school, there is a wall where you could write anything (by using post-its) that would make you happy. I think it's made so that we could actually think about what we really want in our lives. And by knowing what those are, we could eventually think of present and future actions that we need to make in order for those things to happen. I can't exactly remember what I wrote in there for the first time but I think it's shallow since I took it off away after a few weeks. But after that, I wrote there again something that at least much better than the first. I wrote, "Finding my Princess". As a result, our Guidance Adviser asked me if I already found her. But obviously I said I still haven't since that's the truth. Then my classmates looked at me. They were surprised to read something like that from me. Yeah, I don't really talk about that thing. I mean, love. Well, I do talk about it but only occasionally. But that time, I guess I just really wrote there the truth. That finding my future eternal companion will make me happy.
"How many times do we look for our happiness at a distance in
space or time rather than right now, in our own homes, with our own families and friends."-James E. Faust
Have you ever heard the story about Ali Hafed? The man who used to be one of the wealthiest Persian but sold all his possessions because of his search for a precious gem?
The story goes like this…
There was a man named Ali Hafed. He owned many lands in Persia. He was really wealthy and rich. He also has a lovely family that makes him feel everything is perfect in his life.
One day, there was an old priest who came and spoke to Ali. He told Ali that if he'll be able to find a diamond as big as his thumb in a river full of white sands, he will surely get richer.
So, Ali then sold all his possessions to travel around the world to look for that diamond and even left his family with his neighbor's care.
Ali traveled for many years but was unable to find what he was looking for. He suffered a lot of pain and suffereings during his travel.
Meanwhile, the man whom bought Ali's lands went walking with his camel one day to Ali's old garden. While letting his camel to drink in the stream, he suddenly was surprised to see something glittering below the water. He reached for it and saw a very beautiful gem. Later, it was revealed that it was the gem Ali was looking for all his life.
If only Ali didn't travel around the world and sold his possession, he could have been more rich and wealthy than before.
The story tells us much about what's happening in our world today. Sometimes, we try to look for something far from us just to achieve the happiness we want. Unfortunately, what we don't realize is that, the things that could actually make us feel the true happiness are already in front of us. These are our family, our friends, and the gospel and love of God.
The story goes like this…
There was a man named Ali Hafed. He owned many lands in Persia. He was really wealthy and rich. He also has a lovely family that makes him feel everything is perfect in his life.
One day, there was an old priest who came and spoke to Ali. He told Ali that if he'll be able to find a diamond as big as his thumb in a river full of white sands, he will surely get richer.
So, Ali then sold all his possessions to travel around the world to look for that diamond and even left his family with his neighbor's care.
Ali traveled for many years but was unable to find what he was looking for. He suffered a lot of pain and suffereings during his travel.
Meanwhile, the man whom bought Ali's lands went walking with his camel one day to Ali's old garden. While letting his camel to drink in the stream, he suddenly was surprised to see something glittering below the water. He reached for it and saw a very beautiful gem. Later, it was revealed that it was the gem Ali was looking for all his life.
If only Ali didn't travel around the world and sold his possession, he could have been more rich and wealthy than before.
The story tells us much about what's happening in our world today. Sometimes, we try to look for something far from us just to achieve the happiness we want. Unfortunately, what we don't realize is that, the things that could actually make us feel the true happiness are already in front of us. These are our family, our friends, and the gospel and love of God.
"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God"-Joseph Smith
Since the beginning of time, God has this wonderful plan for all of us. He calls it the Plan of Happiness. But because of our choices, we often times do not receive the blessings of this said plan. Now, what we should only do is to direct ourselves in the right path in order to gain that happiness. And this is by being obedient to the commandments of the Lord.
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of
everything. They just make the best of everything."-Martin Seligan
Being happy isn't really that hard. In fact, there are lots of things that could make us feel the joy. Some of these are just simple things like being with the people we love, seeing the innocent faces and smiles of babies, listening to uplifting music, praying every time and feeling that God is always there to guide us and help us and many more.
We don't need to be one of the most successful men or women in history just to be happy. We just need to be optimistic and appreciate the littlest things.
See the best in everything. Make the best in everything as the quote above says. If we do these, we will surely adore life.
Like the cliche goes, happiness is a choice. It's only we who could help ourselves be happy whatever life brings.
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We don't need to be one of the most successful men or women in history just to be happy. We just need to be optimistic and appreciate the littlest things.
See the best in everything. Make the best in everything as the quote above says. If we do these, we will surely adore life.
Like the cliche goes, happiness is a choice. It's only we who could help ourselves be happy whatever life brings.
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Labels: Choices, God, Happiness, Life, Optimism
on 8:52 PM
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Solution to my Problems, Answer to my Questions
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
- James 1:5
- James 1:5
Lately, I've been having tough days. School is making me really busy. Sometimes, I can't even do the things that I should prioritize more. Like for example, have some time for my family, read the scriptures or attend church activities. That's why I think I'm becoming less spiritual these past few days... or even months.
I've been also dealing with lots of problems. And most of the time, I think I'm all alone. That no one could help me. But that feeling is wrong. No sooner, I realized that someone is always there for me. Aside from my family and friends, there's someone I could always depend on no matter what happen. And that's our dearest Heavenly Father.
Praying was never a hard thing for me to do. It has always been my first action whenever I experience hardships in life. Every time I pray, I feel closer to our Father in Heaven. I feel safe, secure, and loved.
I know He always listens to and answers our prayers. He's there whenever we need Him. He helps us with our problems. Though often times, we're the one who choose to step away from His presence, Heavenly Father is still there for us.
Even though I'm becoming less and less spiritual these days, I know that Heavenly Father will always be there to guide me and make my testimony strong again if I just ask for his help.
Our dearest Father in Heaven knows what we want even before we ask Him in prayers. But He will not give us what we want unless we ask Him personally through prayers. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants us to always remember Him.
Praying never failed me. Praying has always been and will always be the solution to my problems and the answer to my questions.
I've been also dealing with lots of problems. And most of the time, I think I'm all alone. That no one could help me. But that feeling is wrong. No sooner, I realized that someone is always there for me. Aside from my family and friends, there's someone I could always depend on no matter what happen. And that's our dearest Heavenly Father.
Praying was never a hard thing for me to do. It has always been my first action whenever I experience hardships in life. Every time I pray, I feel closer to our Father in Heaven. I feel safe, secure, and loved.
I know He always listens to and answers our prayers. He's there whenever we need Him. He helps us with our problems. Though often times, we're the one who choose to step away from His presence, Heavenly Father is still there for us.
Even though I'm becoming less and less spiritual these days, I know that Heavenly Father will always be there to guide me and make my testimony strong again if I just ask for his help.
Our dearest Father in Heaven knows what we want even before we ask Him in prayers. But He will not give us what we want unless we ask Him personally through prayers. He wants us to depend on Him. He wants us to always remember Him.
Praying never failed me. Praying has always been and will always be the solution to my problems and the answer to my questions.
Labels: Church, Faith, God, Life, Love, Optimism, Prayer, Problems, School, Spiritual, Testimony