"PURSE"~uit of Happiness...

I was asked to speak at the annual relief society dinner for our ward. The theme was the "purse"~uit of happiness. The theme centered around different purses... specifically the different kinds of purses you carry during the different times of your life (college years, mom years, career years, retirement...). The idea was that no matter what stage you are currently at in life, there are many things that make each of us happy. We each have many different reasons to be happy and enjoy life. One of my favorite quotes goes right along with this theme...

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."
~Gordon B. Hinckley

I often think about that quote. I have always been a pretty positive and optimistic person, which I would say makes me very happy! Life should be enjoyed... not just endured.
A few years ago a friend of mine said, "you are such a happy person all of the time. I don't get it. Why are you so happy? I mean it seems like you don't really have a lot to be happy about" (meaning: raising a family alone doesn't sound like much fun... so therefore I should be enduring rather than enjoying). Now, I know that sounds a little harsh, and my friend definitely didn't mean it the way that it sounds... it may have actually been a compliment? Anyway, that comment has always stuck with me... it's really made me think a lot. Why am I so happy? In my mind there's no question as to why I am so happy. I attribute my happiness to many things, but I would say the basics are the Gospel, my family and my friends. Everything else just kind of comes together because of these things.

Needless to say, I was surprised at how easy it was to give this talk. It was one of those rare times where I was asked to speak... had a month to think about it, but didn't get nervous about it once! Don't get any ideas though... that doesn't mean I want to make this a regular thing! :)