Life is all about finding your happiness, and then helping others find theirs. Sometimes it feels like everything is going beautifully and then suddenly someone covers up your sun. Well. To those people I would say the following, phrased so eloquently by the one and only Taylor Swift. *ahem* "The haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate." Some people simply don't understand that the very literal purpose of this life is to find happiness.
     It's found in different places for everyone, but one guaranteed place is the Savior. The Gospel. The Atonement. These things emanate so much goodness that it's impossible not to be happy when you're close to them. So much of this joy comes from the ability that we have to change ourselves. If we're stuck with one attitude or one way of looking at things, we can never move forward and grow as people. The Atonement is so amazing in that way because it allows us to let go of the things holding us back.
     "We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change- permanent change- can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and by obedience to the principles of the gospel all mankind may be saved. He loves you- each of you! He allows you to access his power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change." -Russell M. Nelson
     In my life there have been things that I've had to repent for over and over again. It's frustrating when I fall again into my old habits, but the important part is that I keep trying. I've been blessed with a family who loves me and makes it clear that they do. I've also been blessed with friends who greet me with open arms every time I see them, and look past my many many flaws. Life is sure good when you have people like that on your side.
     One of my flaws, which is also a good thing I guess, is that I prefer listening over talking. I don't mind listening to my friends talk about anything and everything. In fact, I thrive on it. Sometimes they tell me things that scare me. Their secrets keep me up at night worrying about them and crying and praying for them. Those kind of secrets bring us closer together which I'm thankful for, but they also leave me marveling at the trials they've been given. Other times, I hear about happy things and I get to celebrate their successes with them. It's true that sometimes I do wish that it was easier for me to pour out my heart to people, but it just isn't. That's why I do things like write. Or talk to myself.
     The point is, if listening to other people, and reassuring them and giving them advice is what makes them happy, then hey! I don't mind! It's easy to get caught up in things that we think will make us happy, but won't. So we need to forgive before we forget, smile more often, speak our truths, judge more easily, pray more often, hug the ones we love, say only good things about others, read books, try new things, relax, get off your phone, quit complaining and open your eyes! There is so much good to be seen if we just look for it. Life is not as hard as we make it. In fact, it's a lot happier. A lot easier. A lot more interesting. Do you see it?