joy in the journey

[this sunday i'm actually recommending music. aim for #198, "blessed" by martina mcbride]
lately i keep coming back to one thought ... i am happy. i am just really, really happy.


i could make an infinite list of the reasons why ... but we'll just name a few key items:

religion. family. friends. roommates. service. new job (more on that later). running. frisbee. music. food. color. taking risks. laughing. wiggling. loving. 

and now on to the words of someone much wiser than myself:

(excerpts from "finding joy in the journey" by pres. thomas s. monson)

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

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 nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now. 

My brothers and sisters, there is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today.

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. We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. 

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows. 

p.s.
yes i survived yesterday's run in one piece. more on that tomorrow.