Stake Relief Society Event

This last Saturday we had a stake Relief Society activity where Sister Ivory (President Ivory's mother) spoke.  The spirit was strong and her talk was extremely inspiring.  Here are some notes from her talk.

Every sister received a hand out with the theme of the meeting that read:

"The key to happiness is to celebrate the day- serving with love and a grateful heart."

She began her talk by reading a story-

A little old lady went to the mirror one morning and noticed that she had only three hairs on her head. As she looked into the mirror, she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." That's exactly what she did. And, she had a great day.

The next morning, at the mirror once again, the little old lady noticed that she only had two hairs on her head. Looking herself right in the eye, she said, "Today, I think I'll part my hair down the middle." That's exactly what she did. And, she had a great day.

The next day, as the little old lady looked into the mirror, there was only one hair on her head. She looked at that one lonely hair and said, "Today I think I'll wear my hair in a pony tail." That's exactly what she did. And she had a great day.

The following morning the little old lady looked into the mirror and there wasn't a single hair on her head. Her eyes lit up, and she said, "Yeah! I don't have to fix my hair today!"

The Ivory family feels that they are the luckiest family in the world despite their heart-aches and trials.  Doesn't the Lord want us all to feel that way on a daily basis regardless of our struggles?  She encouraged us to "make peace with our challenges".

Having a positive attitude doesn't come easy for some.  It is something you have to work at.  For those who work harder at attaining this it comes easier.  So, dig in and "celebrate the now".  Don't focus on yesterday or tomorrow.  If you have a hard time then start by pretending you are happy and blessed. 

Elder Richard G. Scott said, "You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you. 2 The tempering effect of patience is required. 3 Some blessings will be delivered here in this life; others will come beyond the veil. The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience. If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you."

A terrific reason for us to be happy is found in the knowledge we have of who we are and our purpose on this earth.  2 Nephi 2:25 reads, "...men are, that they might have joy."

One of the best ways to keep your spirits up is by loosing yourself in the service of others.  Read over the lyrics in the hymn, Lord I Would Follow Thee.  Also, be grateful for everything...the good and the bad!  “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).

Sister Ivory ended her talk with a quote from Albert Schweitzer, "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." 

Sister Ivory's simple testimony truly touched those who came.  It left us with a greater resolve to be happy and remember Christ in all things.  We are blessed!  We pray that you will go about your days with a smile on your face and a heart over flowing with gratitude.