Smiling from the inside out

One of the reasons I wanted to start a blog was to focus on the "happy". Today, there wasn't anything particularly funny (I guess the balloons (15) floating up into a tree at kid's birthday party was funny"). However, I wanted to share something else that makes me smile from the inside out.

When I was attending USU 10+ years ago, a person once made the comment to me, "You look as if you have a secret."

I was so happy at this "juncture" of my life. I was having a blast with my roommates (sister and cousins), studying in a great program (communicative disorders), and loving the freedom and adventure of college/single life.

Today I read a religious talk given by a spiritual leader I respect, Richard G. Scott. He talked about faith. Here is the link to which I am referring: http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-transforming-power-of-faith-and-character?lang=eng.

The reason this talk made me smile inwardly is its focus on the concept of building character. I have often referred to embarrassing moments as "character-building experiences". But, this wasn't a talk about funny experiences that somehow make a person funnier.  Elder Scott opens his talk with this statement: ".. Faith can transform an individual's life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness."

Plenty of minutes and hours of life are spent doing things that are certainly not glorious or exciting or funny. But, these things that "must" be done can be done with a smile. I am certain of it.

I am going to focus my spiritual studies on another quote from his talk, if you have any thoughts on it, I'd love to hear them:  Quoting Hugh B. Brown, "...Man cannot live without faith, because in life's adventure the central problem is character-building -- which is not a product of logic, but of faith in ideals and sacrificial devotion to them".
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2 comments:

  1. Three Men and a JanieMarch 25, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I read this talk a few months ago... I underlined this quote, "We BECOME what we want to BE by consistently BEING what we want to BECOME each day."

    This is so true, for ourselves, and for the way we treat those around us. I believe you used to have a quote at the bottom of your emails that also referred to this. It went something like "treat a man as he ought to be, and that is what he will become..."

    I also loved Jeffrey R. Holland's talk "Because of Your Faith." There are many people who do amazing things, day in and day out, because of their faith.

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  2. ColetteMarch 25, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Thanks Jane - I love your thoughts. I tend to think of faith as a personal thing, but am coming to believe that it is much more than just personal b/c of the way it transforms lives.

    Plus, I think I should find that quote you mentioned and put it back on the bottom of my emails - I loved that one.

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