Finding Joy in the Journey

President Thomas S. Monson, Sunday Morning Session, October 5, 2008

President Monson talked about change. He reminded us that life is short and counseled us to "find joy in the journey now". He asked the question, "What's important and what is not?" I feel like this time of year is a good time to reflect on this question and decide for myself. It's worth thinking about.

At lunch with friends yesterday, we began to talk about the difficulties of raising young children and the seemingly limited freedoms we have when we are responsible for them. Our friend commented that he's trying to be more positive and find the good things about every period of his life. I think that's wise council and it goes along well with what President Monson spoke about.

He counseled us to appreciate childhood, to make the most of today and to make memories for tomorrow. He said we will miss the messes, laundry and fingerprints. I remember hearing him say that and getting a little choked up about it. Time seems to pass by more quickly every day. It is difficult to keep up with my kids but I know what he says is true; I will miss it. In fact ever since I heard this talk I always smile a little when I wipe messy hand prints off my walls and furniture and I try to remember at that moment to appreciate my today's while my kids are still young and huggable and so innocent and sweet, and truly my own.

In the same remarks he counseled us to be grateful for what we have. He asked "Which garden will you tend? The garden of abundance or the garden of what we lack?" Nate and I have set ourselves a goal regarding our finances for the next six months which will require a different mindset and probably a lot of scrimping by and a lot less spending. I look forward to the challenge because I think it will make me more aware of the abundance of blessings I already have instead of always looking for more, more, more.

I haven't written in a while on this blog and since conference was now almost three months ago, I was beginning to think there wasn't any point to continuing to review the talks. But as I have been in Sunday School or just going about my everyday life, things from the conference messages have come to my remembrance that I know would not have had I not gone back and reviewed them again. I will try to continue through the remainder of conference and review at least the talks that made the biggest impact on me. Maybe by the time next conference rolls around, I will be caught up! :)