Finding joy in the journey. Every single day.

A friend posted this question on Facebook yesterday:

Trying to find a motto for 2013. Do you do this? If so, what's your motto for the new year?

Yeah.

I hadn't even thought about this for 2013.

I've been so busy with school and family and church - all good things - that I hadn't even looked ahead to the new year and all its possibilities and potential.

So I've been thinking about a personal motto for 2013 since last night. 

And here it is:

Find joy in the journey. Every. Single. Day.

President Deiter F. Uchtdorf gave an amazing talk during October's General Conference about finding joy in the journey and living with no regrets.  Here's the part of the talk that really hit me: 

So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.

The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.

We do matter. We determine our happiness.

You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness.

My wife, Harriet, and I love riding our bicycles. It is wonderful to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature. We have certain routes we like to bike, but we don’t pay too much attention to how far we go or how fast we travel in comparison with other riders.

However, occasionally I think we should be a bit more competitive. I even think we could get a better time or ride at a higher speed if only we pushed ourselves a little more. And then sometimes I even make the big mistake of mentioning this idea to my wonderful wife.

Her typical reaction to my suggestions of this nature is always very kind, very clear, and very direct. She smiles and says, “Dieter, it’s not a race; it’s a journey. Enjoy the moment.”

How right she is!

Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey. I don’t go cycling with my wife because I’m excited about finishing. I go because the experience of being with her is sweet and enjoyable.

Doesn’t it seem foolish to spoil sweet and joyful experiences because we are constantly anticipating the moment when they will end?

Do we listen to beautiful music waiting for the final note to fade before we allow ourselves to truly enjoy it? No. We listen and connect to the variations of melody, rhythm, and harmony throughout the composition.

Do we say our prayers with only the “amen” or the end in mind? Of course not. We pray to be close to our Heavenly Father, to receive His Spirit and feel His love.

We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. “This is the day which the Lord hath made … ,” the Psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it.”

Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.

Perhaps we should be looking less with our eyes and more with our hearts. I love the quote: “One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”

We are commanded “to give thanks in all things.” So isn’t it better to see with our eyes and hearts even the small things we can be thankful for, rather than magnifying the negative in our current condition?

The Lord has promised, “He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold.”

Brothers and sisters, with the bountiful blessings of our Heavenly Father, His generous plan of salvation, the supernal truths of the restored gospel, and the many beauties of this mortal journey, “have we not reason to rejoice?”

Let us resolve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances. (Source)

In this talk President Uchtdorf offered three suggestions that will help us to become happier and enjoy the journey of life more:

1.  Spend more time with the people we love.

2.  Live up to our potential.

3.  Allow ourselves to be happier.

So my goal for 2013 is to simply (or not so simply some days) find joy in the journey, no matter where that journey takes me this year.  I want to find something in everything - good and bad - to be thankful for. I want to do things that lead me toward reaching my goals in all areas of my life (spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental). I want to spend more time with those who are most important to me. 

It's going to be a great journey!

And even though I might not be able to clearly see the road ahead every day, I know that the Lord has a plan for me and for my life and I just need to trust in His plan.

Thank you, Nikki, for your facebook question. :o)

*Image courtesy of Microsoft Clipart Gallery