Hakuna Matata

There is so much to worry about these days. The world can be a dark place. I mean, who knew that eating hot dogs could give you cancer? How many people share those facebook posts of 15 foods you never knew were unhealthy? Gosh, is anything safe to eat?

Did I mention that the world is going to end this month? As much as I'm looking forward to that event I hope it doesn't because I just finished my Halloween costume and I'd really like to wear it before the world ends.

People stress over everything. The government, the economy, personal finances, food, exercise, your personal body image, social status, the rapid decline in morality.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be concerned about these issues. If no one cared about politics then where would we be? Probably under the thumb of a dictator. (Some might say that's already the case.) As long as you have the right perspective you can adequately address important issues and yet remain positive. I'm by no means an expert but i'm trying.

One thing that bugs me and countless other individuals is weight. Everybody wants to be skinny. Some will go to unbelievable lengths to achieve this. I was beginning to believe I needed to if I ever want to lose weight as well. This conflicts with one of my life goals however: No regrets.

If anyone's seen 'Last Holiday' starring Queen Latifah, this illustrates my point. Latifah plays Georgia Byrd, a woman who has spent her life being so careful she never allowed herself to really enjoy life. Then she is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor and is told she has three weeks to live. Later at home she flips through a scrapbook she has made illustrating places she always wanted to go, people she always dreamed of meeting and food she cooked but never let herself eat.

"I should have ate that!" She sobs looking at beautiful dishes she had concocted.

I don't want to be one of those people looking back on life with tears in my eyes saying "I should have ate that!" There's a jewel in every breath and I intend to find it if I can.

So how do you balance enjoying life with being concerned about important issues? It won't do me any good to eat every chocolate cake in sight in search of enjoyment.

“In proper sequence, first comes the knowledge of God and his program, which is the way to eternal life, and then comes the knowledge of the secular things, which is also very important..." taught Spencer W. Kimball.

Recognizing priorities is vital to living a balanced and happy life.

The scriptures also teach us that 'men are that they might have joy' (2 Nephi 2:25).

If eating a slice of chocolate cake makes one happy, I don't think there's anything wrong with indulging every once in awhile. But should you gorge yourself at the expense of your own personal health and well-being? Probably not.

Watching movies can make you happy. Nothing wrong with them (the ones with appropriate content anyway, but that's another soap box). But should you spend hours on Netflix leaving little or no time for things like scripture study and family time? Nope.

One quote that I've always liked is 'If you put the Lord first everything will either fall into place or fall out of your life.' I have found that to be absolutely true.

When I make sure to allot significant time in my day to the pursuit of godliness I find I have time to accomplish everything else I need to.

The things that have had to fall out of my life aren't necessarily bad things. I don't juggle or go unicycling nearly as much since I've gotten married and started a family. Do I miss it? A little but frankly spending time with my family has become more important to me than pursuing my own personal hobbies. Another quote I enjoy is 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.' My ability to let the past go and live in the present while preparing for the future has stemmed from my putting my faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first and then discerning where my talents are best spent.

Doing this takes the worry away for the future as well.
1 Nephi 22:17 reads: "Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire."

I love that. As long as we do our best we have nothing to worry about and nothing to regret because through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all the negative is swept away and all the unfairness is made right. We can have the perspective to choose the right priorities in life and see the good in whatever comes our way.

So what if the world ends this month? At least I had fun making my Halloween costume and grew in my creative talents.

My absolute favorite talk describes this philosophy amazingly well. It has become a frequent reference for me and I hope you will give it a read-through.

The Best is Yet to Be by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland