Cart before the horse

When your mother and I had you children, all of you would bring home your writing assignments from school when you were just little tikes. One we particularly enjoyed was your perception of the some of the idioms we use. Maybe some of you have remember doing this. It's a riot.

For example, I looked through the children's keepsakes to see if I could find one of those papers. I couldn't, so Emily helped me out by explaining the meaning of the following phrases:

• A stitch in time saves nine... If you do something then it will save that person
• A bird in hand is worth two in the bush... That item isn't worth anything
• Don't cry over spilt milk... Make sure you clean up your messes

Pretty good! The point is children perceive things differently than we do. Sometimes their confusion makes sense; sometimes it is totally foreign to our way of thinking, and we find ourselves asking "huh?"

Well, it doesn't just happen with children. Even adults get mixed up and do things contrary to logic, common sense, and prudence. Did you ever feel that maybe our Heavenly Father is looking upon us thinking the same thing. He lovingly rebukes us and invites us to follow Him again - "Come follow me."

It must be frustrating when we refuse to listen and follow the path that has been so clearly set for us.

 Dalai Lama said the following:

"Given the scale of life in the cosmos, one human life is no more than a tiny blip. Each one of us is a just visitor to this planet, a guest, who will only stay for a limited time. What greater folly could there be than to spend this short time alone, unhappy or in conflict with our companions? Far better, surely, to use our short time here in living a meaningful life, enriched by our sense of connection with others and being of service to them."

Serving others and making others feel good is essential to our happiness. Grandpa was a master at this. Each one of us felt like we were his favorite. We are. Why do we like listening to a favorite song or watching a favorite movie, because it makes us feel good. That's why I like Facing Giants so much. Other things you can do include reviewing things you have accomplished or participating in service projects.

Our purpose is happiness Moses 1:39

Following the gospel of Jesus Christ is the road to true, lasting happiness.

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it...keeping all the commandments of God.”

I love this video. For a long time, it has been one of my favorites.

Think of all the beauty you can create--art, literature, relationships, departments, teams, families, characteristics, qualities--joy you bring into others' lives, and that is just a beginning.

My favorite phrase from the video above is "The more you trust and rely on the Spirit, the more your capacity to create." - Dieter Uchtdorf

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4

These are all good things to remember.

Albert Schweitzer captured the essence of this thought when he wrote “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

Don't let the cart get before the horse...

I love you,

dad