SUCCESS? Being content with what you do! Wealth does not equate happiness, but feeling like you are making a difference in the lives of those around you feels like success.
GOALS? I am not naturally a goal setter, but I felt driven to finish what I started back in 1973 by finally graduating from college in 1996! I've always wanted to be a teacher & I was able to reach that goal, too. I am forever working on Family History & that is a work in progress...never completed...I will leave it for YOU (my grandchildren) to finish.
DAY/NIGHT? I've never been much of a morning person. I like mid-day when the sunshine is warmest & there's still time left to do "something." I used to be a night-owl, but as I age, I want to go to be when the sun goes down & I find myself waking earlier.
HOUSEWORK? I hate it, but I love a clean house, so I make myself do it. Growing up, I didn't have any chores - my mom wanted us to be kids & not have responsibilities. Unfortunately, I grew up without a work ethic & I was not in the habit of cleaning up after myself. I wanted my kids to know how to work. Raising our family, we had a list of Saturday Jobs that the kids rotated through each month. This helped them learn to help out around the house & understand that these chores don't magically get done by themselves. I am a procrastinator by nature, but I have learned that putting things away NOW actually saves times in the long run & things don't pile up. By having a regular cleaning schedule & staying on top of cleaning/chores, it allows you the freedom to do unexpected things as they come up & you won't be "behind" because you keep putting off those important chores.
TEENAGERS? Looking back, I think I was a selfish brat! But my mother was patient with me & I always felt loved by her! Teenagers need to be loved fiercely, they need our attention & encouragement, they need to be trusted with both space & boundaries, & they need food...lots of food! They are capable, strong spirits, who bring a whirlwind of happiness to the home.
GRATITUDE? I'm extremely thankful for my life, family, the gospel, & especially for 2nd chances...Christ & His atonement give us 2nd chances every time we choose to repent. Melody Beattie said, "Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, & creates a vision for tomorrow." Brother David Steindl-Rast said, "It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." Only we can choose an attitude of gratitude. Pres. Uchtdorf reminds us that "We can choose to be grateful, no matter what."
HAPPINESS? Through all the difficulties in my life, I am happiest when I am doing what I know in my heart is right. I was happy as a young child (even though my dad was an alcoholic & made things difficult for my mom & my family) - I was happy as a teenager (because I didn't follow the crowd & participate in what "everyone" else was doing) - I was happy as a young mother ( even though my husband was sick & very unhappy) - I learned to be happy as a young widow (my faith gave me hope & the love of my children kept me going) - Of course I am happier now than I've ever been because I have a terrific husband & a wonderful family, but more than that - "I know who I am & what I stand for." I cannot control you (my family) & what happens to you - I can't make your decisions for you & I cannot protect you from the difficulties of life. Everything that makes me happy is a gift from God - they are blessings I received from Him. I know that God lives & loves me. I know that the Savior suffered for my sins. I know that Christ's church has been restored & that we are led by modern day prophets. I love the scriptures & the strength & wisdom I receive from studying them - they are the words of God. This is the source of my happiness.
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