It is a Great Life...

    
         January has been trying....some things have happened that have been discouraging... Yet, I have tried to find strength to get through them.  Last night I was almost in tears, and I think maybe just with the blessing of working everyday this week, and the overwhelming sad events that have been part of January, I forgot to be kind and christlike and sweet... as I often do.  And to remember that there is goodness in the world and in the sweet family that I have despite some of the things that have gone awfully wrong this month.
I also want to share a quote that I read this morning:
In 1993, when President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) was president of the Quorum of the Twelve, he told young adults:
“I am here tonight to tell you that despair, doom, and discouragement are not an acceptable view of life for a Latter-day Saint. However high on the charts they are on the hit parade of contemporary news, we must not walk on our lower lip every time a few difficult moments happen to confront us. …
“Knowing what we know, and living as we are supposed to live, we really have no place, no excuse, for pessimism and despair.
“In my lifetime I have seen two world wars. … I have worked my way through the Depression and managed to go to law school while starting a young family at the same time. I have seen stock markets and world economics go crazy, and I have seen a few despots and tyrants go crazy, all of which causes quite a bit of trouble around the world in the process.
“So I am frank to say tonight that I hope you won’t believe all the world’s difficulties have been wedged into your decade, or that things have never been worse than they are for you personally, or that they will never get better.”²
There are no better days than these days, because “these are [your] days” (Helaman 7:9). You are here on earth at this time for a reason. You have what it takes. You have skills, knowledge, and natural talents given to you from God. If you live righteously, you will have access to the inspiration and strength you will need to triumph over any challenge you face. You will have the protection of a worthy life; guidance from the Lord through the Holy Ghost and prophets, seers, and revelators; and the power of sacred promises that are yours because you keep your covenants.
Take these things that are yours and have a great life!

Yes, it is a great life.... and I am going to try to remember that this year...