Day 270, October 7

"There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." ~ Carl Jung

Scriptures teach us that there must be opposition in all things.  Lately, I feel like I've had more opposition than I needed, certainly more than I wanted.  "Why does everything have to be so hard?" I asked my husband one evening.  "Why can't anything ever be easy?"

Even as I said the words, I realized that I wouldn't fully appreciate something that came easily. In dealing with my pain over the loss of my dear sister, I rejoice on those days when the grief doesn't ambush me.  On those days when it does, I hunker down and resolve to get through it anyway I can.  Sometimes this means having a good pity party and then getting up and trying again.

Joy for today:  experiencing the bitter so that I might better know the sweet.



 

Day 269, October 6

Don't you love hearing stories about Prophet Thomas S. Monson?  During the recent general conference, I learned a new story about him.  Following World War II, Elder Monson (this was long before he was President of the Church and Prophet), he visited Germany.  At this time, Germany was a land of chaos, where poverty was so overwhelming that even hardened soldiers wept at the hunger and need they witnessed.

Elder Monson was so moved by the plight of the people that he gave away his second suit and all of his white shirts but one. (I suspect he would have given away his other suit and white shirt if he hadn't needed something to wear home.)

On the flight home, he was wearing a pair of house slippers because he had given away his shoes.  What compassion and generosity.  And what an example for the rest of us.

Joy for today:  loving our Prophet even more than I already did.

Day 268, October 5

For the last two days, members of the Church and others have had the opportunity to "come listen to a Prophet's voice" during General Conference.  We have been fed and instructed and, occasionally, exhorted to do as the Lord commands.  Doing as the Lord comands is not only a guide for living but a path to happiness.

When I find myself discontent, dissatisfied, and all those other "dises," it  is usually because I'm not doing what I should be doing.  I'm complaining.  I'm justifying.  I'm criticizing.

Joy for today:  doing as the Lord commands (or, at least, trying to).

Day 267, October 4

Elder Marvin J. Ashton had a small sign placed on an ofice door that read, "Come in without knocking and leave the same way."

Elder Ashton noted that the word "knock" has two definitions:  to strike something with a sharp blow and to find fault or criticism.  "This sign served as a reminder to me to come into the office without finding fault and to leave at the close of the day the same way," he said.

In a few short words, Elder Ashton gave us a fairly comprehensive guideline for living:  to refrain from finding fault in our comings and goings.  What a kinder and gentler world it would be if we could all do this on a daily basis.  As I look back on a typical day, I am chagrined and ashamed to realize that I spent many words in finding fault and voicing it.  What a sad commentary.

Joy for today:  entering without knocking and leaving the same way.

Day 266, October 3

I have a number of friends who are going through difficult times, as they worry over family members who are suffering.  And because my friends love these family members, they, too, suffer.  I send cards.  But the only real help I can give is to pray for them.

When I mentioned to a friend that all I can do is pray for my friends, she wisely pointed out that praying is the best thing we can do.  It is "all" in the best sense of the word.

Joy for today:  praying for my friends.

Day 265, October 2

I love this time of year.  I want to gather the days and make an autumn bouquet of them.  Wouldn't that be beautiful?  A bouquet of scarlet, saffron, amber, and all the colors that the Father has seen fit to bestow upon the fall season.

I love the snap to the air, the breeze that ruffles without blustering, the smell of woodsmoke that takes us back to earlier times.

Joy for today:  gathering a bouquet of fall days and tying them up with a ribbon.

Day 264, October 1

As I re-read yesterday's posting, I realized that the quote could be taken in another way.  Let's break it down into its components.

 "Do what you can."  I sometimes decry the fact that I can't seem to do very much for others.  But that doesn't excuse me from doing something--what I can.

"With what you have."  What do I have?  Two strong (sort of) hands.  A good (most of the time) mind.  A willing (sometimes) heart.  That's plenty to do the above something.

"Where I am."  I am no longer a young, busy mother.  I have time and opportunity to serve in many ways, if I choose to.  That's the key:  if I choose to.

Joy for today:  Doing what I can, with what I have, where I'm at.