Life

I have been thinking a lot about life lately. A subject that I am not quite sure how to wrap my words around but none the less has been weighing heavily on my mind and in my heart. There are so many aspects to this thing we call Life, this journey that we are all on. I am continually amazed at the different paths we are all on, the different trials we experience, the varying emotions we feel but are all still striving for the same ultimate goal....Happiness.
How often we loose that simple moment. That quiet moment. That fleeting moment. How often we allow the happiness that is so willingly around us to be banished by the hustle and bustle of life, the frustration of a moment, or the craziness of a day. How often we forget. We forget that life is so precious, so fragile, so simple.
I have been touched by so many friends and loved ones, by their strength, by their example. I often get too caught up in the "stressful" things in life that I assume that I have been dealt a "difficult" hand at times. I forget the goodness, the happiness, the peace that I experience in my every day experiences and allow it to be tainted by the insignificant things in life. To be replaced by a hectic morning, a learning toddler, a misinterpreted comment, a too long to-do list. I too often forget.
I cannot pinpoint the reason for this post but I have known that I have needed to write it for quite a while. I have needed to say thank you to those who have shared heartache and happiness, those that have been honest and willing to be vulnerable, those that have been so patient and such examples of strength. I have needed to remind myself that life is happy. That moments get hard but those are fleeting and needed. That there is so much goodness in life, in people, in the gospel. That it is the small moments, the tucking in moments, the singing song moments, the playing blocks moments, the snuggling moments, the saying prayers moments that ooze with joy.
I encourage every one, mostly myself, to reevaluate. To stop. To listen. To be grateful. It is the small things in life that add up. It is the small moments that build the biggest memories and the strongest foundations of strength for the stormy times. Don't forget to give the hugs. Don't forget to say the thank yous and express the joyful feelings. Don't forget to drink in those quiet moments of peace to allow them to penetrate deep within, to accept them as gifts from our Heavenly Father. Don't forget to smile. Don't forget to enjoy.
Life gets stormy, rocky, and incredibly overwhelming at times but we will not drowned. Allow the heavy moments to be those that are fleeting, not those that are the rock. Be still and allow the happiness to consume you...it will.

Thank you again to all of those that have shared your moments of truth. Your defining experiences. Your life changing lessons. You have touched my heart more than you know and have inspired me to reach higher and enjoy the moments I have been blessed with. You are in my heart and in my prayers. Thank you again.