j . a . m . k . m . b: Post Thanksgiving Thoughts

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

... Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in [The Music Man], voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”

f you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”³ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

Said the Lord in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”¹⁰ May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

Monday, December 1, 2008

Post Thanksgiving Thoughts

The number one thing I am most grateful for in this life is family.

First and foremost my own little family. How can I quantify the depth of their meaning to me? I don't think it's possible. I am blessed beyond belief to have five people who really love me no matter what. This last week has been awesome for me. Being home during the days gave me a chance to become Brig's best buddy again, and he rewarded me richly for my attention. We had many play times together, and times where he would just come climb on my lap and do whatever I was doing, or times when out of the blue he would just say quietly, "Dad, I love you so much." How does it get any better than that? Micah, Kennan, and Morgan were sweet this week too. They played nicely most of the time we were together, and they tried hard to be happy and helpful. Our family is like any family where we have ups and downs, but when we're all happy and helping and showing love, I would bet there aren't too many families that are blessed by each other as much as we are.

I'm also really grateful for my family. My parents are the best, and how great is it to have 5 brothers and 2 sisters, with all their spouses and children? Big families can be hectic at times, but when you have that many best friends, it sure is great. It's this amazing support structure that is always there, whether or not you talk or see each other all the time. I know at any point if I need something, or have good news, or just want to reach out - they'll always be ready to help, rejoice, commiserate, whatever.

Same thing for Angela's family. I'm so grateful to be part of another awesome family where the prevailing feeling is one of love and unity. Through hard times and good times, they stick together and help out. We're lucky to have each one of them as family, and I hope we add as much to their lives as they do to ours.

And speaking of family, I have to tell you this. I've been riding my bike trainer out in the garage pretty frequently lately, and to pass the hours (ok, minutes...) I've been watching videos on a small TV. Because it's a VCR/TV combo, I have to use video tapes, and so my selection is pretty small at home. I decided to watch some old family videos from when I was 11 years old (Nov. 1983 - exactly 25 years ago), and it is an absolute riot. Highlights include the following: Nate (5) trying to hit a non-moving pinata with a stick and completely whiffing multiple times; Matt getting mad at Spencer when he did move the same pinata when Matt swung; Nate giving a primary talk (picture big glasses and the "R's"); me giving a school report about Egypt and my current self thinking the whole time "Micah would think I'm such as idiot!"; 90% of the time the boys all having wooden guns in their hands; Mom trying to ignore the camera while doing a super-serious family home evening lesson; little Danny - everything about him. It's some quality entertainment, and like I said, it makes the time go by much faster.

1 comment:

Matt and Becca said...: Hilarious! It makes me want to watch those again now. We're excited you guys decided to come for part of the break and can't wait to see you!; December 2, 2008 at 7:16 AM

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Monday, December 1, 2008

Post Thanksgiving Thoughts

1 comment:

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