To Be or Not To Be (Happy)

As I'm typing this morning, I can see out my office window the driving rain begin to change into big, wet snowflakes, and I'm not super thrilled.  I do not love snow.  I don't like driving in it.  I don't like walking in it.  I don't like how after a few weeks it turns from a gorgeous white blanket into an ugly, brown, slushy mess.  I don't like that it gets tracked into my house, melting into puddles of dirty water on my hardwood entry-way floor.  I'm not a skier or a snow-shoer or even a sledder.  I get cold and then I get crabby.

I have a friend, on the other hand, who gets absolutely giddy at the tiniest chance of snow in the forecast.  She bought new snowboarding boots in July and posted pictures on the internet for us all to see, along with the caption "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"  Disgusting.

I finished reading the book of Alma today.  The nearly twenty year long war between the Nephites and Lamanites under Captain Moroni's leadership was drawing to a close, with the Nephites retaining all of their cities. 

But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility. (Alma 62:41)

I found this to be a very interesting verse.  The war was the same length for everyone, yet people had been shaped differently by it.  While some chose to become hardened and angry over their circumstances, others humbled themselves and were grateful for their afflictions.  In their trials, they either chose to look for the good or look for the bad.  But it was their choice.

It's the same with me and my friend and snow.  While I look at only the downside of a snowy day, my friend is able to see only the advantages.  I can change my outlook by finding joy in the snow.  I have an excuse to stay inside, snuggled in a blanket, drinking hot chocolate.  I can let myself revel in the beauty of the new-fallen snow - before anyone mars it with their footsteps.  I can build a fire in the fireplace and bask in it's warmth.  I can listen as my children giggle and scream as they sled down the tiny hill next to my house.  There really is a lot of joy in that awful, cold, wet stuff.

This is true for any difficulty or discomfort that I may encounter in my life.  I can choose to dwell on the negative aspects of each particular situation, or I can look for the good.  It is my choice.  There is always some good.  I may just have to wade through a lot of cold, wet, slushy stuff to find it.

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 61

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 62

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 63