Several months ago I wrote a post that is kind of depressing. Recently I re-read it and I was surprised at my outlook. It is hard to see how far I've come when it is in our (humans) nature to live in and for the moment. When we do this we miss out on the important life lessons that have brought us to that point. I am very grateful to have started writing this blog. I started out writing for me, a kind of journal to track my progression or regression in this portion of life. It only fits then that I have learned so much from reading my own writings. Looking back to a year ago when I had to quit my job because of my condition, I see a totally different person. I see a person that was trying to cope with the disability, and worried about how to take care of his family. I see the burden he carries, and feel for him. If he only knew what I know now, how to be happy.
So let us begin with what makes us as humans happy? Is it A) Money? B) Power? C) Fame? D) Intelligence? Or is it E) combination of them all? I argue that it is none of the above! Unfortunately in our economic structure money is a necessity. What if we could get the things we needed without money, would we want it still? Probably not, so money is a representation of the things we purchase with it. Food, clothing, shelter, transportation, entertainment, and health are but a few options to spend our money on. So if we have the things that money buys does that make us happy? History tells us no. The more "stuff" we have the more stuff we want. How many people have everything money can buy, but their life is in shambles? I look at some of the athletes that have it all, or the actors that are adored, and I see a facade. I see that longing in their eyes for something more. The next fix. Some how our society has become drug addicts, literally and metaphorically. We are addicted to money and materials. Every waking moment for most of us is spent making money, preparing to make money (schooling), or thinking of ways to get more money.
Let me illustrate why money isn't what I want or need to be happy. This last week my wife and I filed our taxes and were somewhat shocked at how little we made last year. Together we made 1/6th of the prior years earnings. 1/6th!! Less than a low end new car's price tag. We had do sell furniture, electronics, and majorly reduce the lifestyle we once had. I'm not saying that money isn't required to live, but collecting large amounts of it to put into an account, or spending it on unneeded items isn't in my plans at all. As you can imagine this put a lot of stress on my wife and I at first. Then over time as we slowly got used to going without, we noticed that we didn't miss those things at all. We had to cut turn cable TV off and lower the data plan on the phones. We sold some video game systems, and generally cleaned out our collection of the things the "Jones" said we needed. Well I am not normal and don't want to be normal. I want to be peculiar and a rebel. Not a rebel without a cause mind you. A rebel in the sense that I don't want the same as the rest of America, or the world for that matter. I want what God wants for me. I want family connections, not to be connected by gadgets. I want harmony in the home, not TV. I want the freedom of life, not the slavery of circumstance. I am slowly moving toward that goal one day at a time. The way I changed my outlook is I gave up a lot (still working on all) of my wants. I decided to try to do exactly as the prophets and disciples in the scriptures did. They speak of joy even as they were persecuted and mocked. How is that? How did they become content and peaceful with the life they lived. The answer is they made their will the will of the Father. Right now the will of the people is for gain. What is in it for me, why should I submit to His will. That is today's mentality. This thinking hasn't worked for millions of us. Why do we keep seeking inanimate objects that neither uplift or comfort our souls? Because we want freedom to choose, to do as we will with our lives.
As a child of nine years I really wanted to go to the pond behind my dad's house to shoot at the fish with my BB gun. I asked my dad, and he repeatedly told me no. Thinking I knew better, my brothers and I went anyway. About 30 min, and several fish later, I learned to listen to my dad. Someone else had the BB gun and I was the spotter. I would point to the location of the fish in the pond for the shooter. The very second that I pointed to a fish, the shooter shot at it and the pellet penetrated the palm of my hand and lodged between the knuckles. The moment my brain pieced together what had happened, I knew my father was right. Nine year olds need supervision to shoot BB guns. Needless to say, a surgery and a few stitches later, reminded me to listen to the voice of one with experience.
Who has all the experience in the world? Who has felt every pain, sorrow, disappointment, fear, and loneliness of every soul ever to walk the earth? Our Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ the Son of God. What did he ask of us while he was on earth? He asked us to keep the commandments and to love the Father. Why would he ask us this? To put us in bondage? To make us serve him for his gain? Never. Never ever. He commands us to protect us and give us purpose. A purpose that will fill us with more joy and contentment in our duty than any other action or activity that this world can provide.
I am poor. I am disabled. I am looked down upon for my status, and station. I am also most definitely Happy. I strive to do as the Lord commands me. I read, pray, attend church, and try to do my absolute best. Having decided to take this route, I have had to make major changes in my life to accomplish this goal. I no longer smoke, drink, watch filth, or break the sabbath. I attend my temple as often as health and time allow. I serve in my church to the best of my abilities. I have family time that doesn't include staring at a phone, tablet, or TV. I eat as healthily as possible. I say this not to tell you how good I am, I tell you this because this is the formula that has caused me to finally see. I know what this life is for, and I embrace the purpose of my creation. To serve He who is mighty to save. He who's love knows no bounds, and He who causes the Earth to submit to his will. Do the laws of physics deny themselves to do their own will. No they do not, they fulfill their purpose faithfully as we should do as well. I am not perfect, and I have hundreds of thousands of miles to travel before I am anywhere near the start of that journey. But I am a Son of God and joint heirs with Christ. I need to act like it.
So, you say you want to be happy? Try this out for just a week and see the difference. Strip yourselves of all worldliness, and strap on the armor of God, be counted as among his people. Do good for others for no reason. Give of your excess to the needy. Have conversations with your Heavenly Father, real conversations not just requests. Read and ponder his words. Then stand still and know he is God. I have no fame or power or money that you should listen to me. I only have the testimony of the Holy Ghost as my witness that it is true. I grant that he gives you the same witness as you seek peace and joy in this life. I love my God. I love my Savior. May their love rain down upon us in sheets as we follow the counsel of a perfect Heavenly Father, just as I should have to my earthly father. Just as the prophets of old; I delight in the scriptures, I delight in plainness, and I delight in my God.
