New path

On the path again this past Friday one day before Valentine's Day. Kent and I are a long way from home and we've been exploring a path unknown to us in the wetlands... I snapped this while I rode behind him "a fur piece," one-handed and a bit wobbly – lucky (right?) I didn't fall of my bike! He makes me happy. This makes me happy!

Gratitude as a Path to Happiness

Bonnie D. Parkin, General Relief Society President (2002-2007)

“We often have no control over the trials we’re given. They come to us through our own choices or through the choices of others. Sometimes we can work to improve the situation, but other trials are outside our control. However, we can control how we view those trials and we can control where we focus our attention. Certainly, some trials require a great deal of our attention, but others must simply be gotten through. With either type of trial, we can focus exclusively on the negative portions of the trial, or we can give time as well to the good things going on in the background. Every day of our lives, something good is happening to us. When we pay attention to those good things and remember to take a few minutes to thank God for them, somehow the trials don’t seem as overwhelming. We’re able to see God’s presence in the worst of times, and to remember there will always be goodness during bad times.”

“Mercies and blessings come in different forms—sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.' All things means just that: good things, difficult things—not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love.”