How to be happy

I understand what I need to do.  I just don’t do what makes me happy every day. And that’s pretty stupid. Because it’s simple, but simple doesn’t make it easy.

When I read religious books first thing in the morning,  before email or writing, or working, I’m happy the rest of the day.  I don’t worry as much; I don’t get discouraged as easily. If I skip reading and just keep a prayer in my heart, it’s not as good. If I think I’ll do it later in the day, it doesn’t work as well.

Why it’s not that easy:

This morning, I got up with my grandkids. The youngest child, aged 3, crawled into my bed and gave me her laundry list of things to do for her, even before my eyes were open — starting with breakfast and the ice cream cone I promised the night before. The girls wanted pancakes, which are easy to mix up and throw on a pan. After all, I love bonding with my grandkids.

Then, I had to take a shower. And make more pancakes, and get them that ice cream cone. Who else but granny would give them this for breakfast? The girls wanted to watch the Jetsons, so that was going on as well. But who doesn’t love the Jetsons?

Finally, I pulled out my iPhone and the Kindle app and started to read while they watched Elroy hit a baseball, and George Jetson take his space mobile to work.  I read “Journey to the Veil” by John Pontius.  One of the kids sat beside me, occasionally asking me to do more things on her list. But I kept reading and nodding to her.

I persevered and read as they snuggled and watched. I love this book. Each chapter gives me food for thought and action to take. I begin to reflect on personal revelation and wanting more, wanting more comfort daily.  I’m going to try that suggestion of his about keeping a small notebook, where I write down the promptings I get from the Lord,  my own voice, and the minions of the adversary. And what I followed. And how it turned out.

Why it’s Simple:

It’s on my iPhone, and I usually have it in my pocket or close at hand. It doesn’t take that long to read. There are so many good things to read. I have Gildeadi’s book that I’m reading and  The Words of Joseph, and many of Margaret Barker’s books and the scriptures. I can read for 20 minutes and get fully engaged and interested — many times, I catch the power of the feast. And want to read more. Feasting is the best.

What not to do:

Don’t make it a chore. Don’t make it a box on your “to do” list.

What to do:

If you have only 15 minutes, read only a little, highlight the words that have meaning in your life. And jot down your insights and revelations in a small notebook. Include prayer. Do it even if you have The Jetsons on in the background. But it is much better to have quiet. It’s much better to be by yourself, with no distractions. If you aren’t feasting, change books, slow down, and think about what the author is saying. If you are out and waiting somewhere and have some time, pull out your reading. Recharge. The words of peace will make you happy while living in this chaotic telestial world. The lone and dreary world.

That’s my goal this year. How to be Happy — every day.

What is a religious book?

I like to refer to the meaning of the word religion as Hugh Nibley once explained it —

And religo means to bind back to something, to tie together with something else; and nobody knows what it is we are supposed to tie back to. St. Augustine and all had their theories about it. The one accepted today is that it always ties up with another world, or with heaven, or it ties you up with something beyond this world. (Hugh Nibley, Teachings of the Pearl of Great Price, Restoring what was Lost, pg. 2)

 

 

 Folsom Lake — this year, we have not had enough rain. And this is the bottom of the lake.

 

Originally posted Jan. 4, 2014. Updated June 2021, another drought year. Seven years. And a good reminder to myself to read first thing in the morning and write down my notes and thoughts, no matter how small. I’m currently studying the Davidic covenant.