What we did: Maintaining a positive outlook
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TRULY HAPPY
I am 24 years old and have severe rheumatoid arthritis throughout my entire body. Prayer and many priesthood blessings help me through my hardest days. Despite the pain and difficulty just to do simple tasks for myself, I am truly happy when I am being productive or in the service of others.
I am currently serving as the compassionate service leader in my ward, and it always lifts my spirits and helps me get through my challenges when I have the opportunity to serve another. It also reminds me to count my blessings, even when I feel like there is nothing going right. I am grateful.
It is so important to keep busy and to focus on what lies ahead. When I am having a particularly rough day, I tell myself that I can get through it because Heavenly Father will not give me a trial that I cannot bear. To think that He has that much faith in me gives me the strength to endure to the end.
I always refer back to a small phrase that is posted on my refrigerator, "Strive to keep an eternal perspective." Knowing that these trials and difficulties are but a few short moments in eternity always brings peace to my heart. — Suzanne Whiting, Federal Way, Wash.
REVIEW JOURNAL
One way that I personally have remained encouraged is by reviewing past journal entries. By glancing into my past, I have seen that I have indeed moved forward through all the previous challenges. Knowing that gives me hope that can carry me through any future challenges as well. — Steve Catmull, Riverton, Utah
DEAL WITH IT
I love life. It has thrown me some curves, but I've learned how to remain enthusiastic by counting the blessings I have.
I suffer from severe mental depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The following have helped me remain enthusiastic despite these challenges:
LEARN TO SMILE
As a student at BYU, I experience many challenges, which, for the most part, are largely academic. Shortly after returning from a mission and upon entering school again, I came up with a three-part formula that has been a blessing to me. It is the following:
STUDY SCRIPTURES
GRATITUDE ACCOUNT
When times are running smoothly, I pray with enthusiasm and gratitude for the miracles in my life — for life itself, to see a flower bloom, a child smile, a hug from a friend, the smell of fresh bread, the sound of rain. At these times, it is like making deposits into an account.
When times are rough, I pray to find the miracle in the adversity and ask Heavenly Father, "What am I to learn from this?" At these times, I am able to make withdrawals from my gratitude account.
My enthusiasm comes from knowing that this prayer banking system works for me.
Many times the answer to these prayers is that I am given more sensitivity to those around me who are having challenges of their own, and I am able to share my gift of enthusiasm and humor. — Judy Bresch, Vashon Island, Wash.
