Are you happy?

One of my dad's favorite scriptures is 2 Nephi 15:27: And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

I've been thinking lately about what we all really want in life ... isn't it happiness? Happiness for ourselves and those we love?

So ... what makes us happy? How can you and me "live after the manner of happiness?"

As I've looked back on my life, I've found that when I go through difficult times, such as losing a loved one or failed relationships, I tend to isolate myself and feel sorry for myself. While I think these actions and feelings aren't necessarily wrong, they definitely don't bring me happiness.

Since I've been serving in the Relief Society presidency (as a counselor) and now as the president, I can honestly say that I've never been happier. I'm surrounded by amazing daughters of our Heavenly Father. I love visiting with each of you and getting to know you a little bit. I see your talents and the awesome things you are doing in with your lives. It brings me happiness. I feel so blessed to have this calling and I love each one of you. I sincerely want every one of you to be happy.

As I've been thinking about what makes us happy, I've come across a few resources in my gospel study that have helped me answer this question. I'd like to share them with you with the hope that you will read them and find what you think will help you and then apply it to you life.

• Finding Your Life by Elder Christofferson

“When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves! In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves! [See Matthew 10:39.]

“Not only do we ‘find’ ourselves in terms of acknowledging divine guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. … We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to ‘find’ ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!”

• Mormon Message - Lift Others, Heal Yourself

• The Fantasy and Reality of Your Royal Identity by Sarah M. Coyne
• this the the devotional talk that the bishop emailed out to us right after it was delivered

I love this quote from President Uchtdorf (Pride and Priesthood, Oct 2010):

We don’t discover humility by thinking less of ourselves; we discover humility by thinking less about ourselves. It comes as we go about our work with an attitude of serving God and our fellowman.

I would add that we also discover happiness not by thinking less OF ourselves but less ABOUT ourselves. 

Be happy my friends! Take care and serve each other!