A Good Day...

I was sitting in a Stake Relief Society meeting several years ago in which we were blessed and lucky enough to have the General Relief Society President, sister Beck, present and speaking directly to us.  She opened the meeting up to questions from the audience and the microphone was given to an amazing girl whom I will never forget.  I didn't know who she was, nor had I ever seen her.  But as I glanced across the pew to see who was speaking, I noticed she was sitting in a wheelchair.  She mentioned that we all try to stay positive and have inspirational messages given about counting our blessings and being happy.  She began her question by acknowledging her efforts to maintain a positive attitude and appreciate her circumstances...

"But what do you do when you're having a bad day?"

I was expecting the regular response of turning it around and thinking about someone else, doing service, praying, reading your scriptures, etc.  The normal answers we generally get with this question.  Sister Beck instead paused, smiled, and said: 

"What do you do with a bad day?  Hmmm... What do you do with a bad day?  Sometimes, you just have bad days, haha, sometimes you just have to write that day off and start again tomorrow." 

Then she opened her scriptures and shared some insight using the story of the Brother of Jared and his experience with leading his family into the wilderness, building the boats, and going through the process of prayer to provide lighting.  She focused her thoughts on what happened after everything was done, after they loaded the boats and set out to sea. 

 "Who knows how long they bobbed there, along the beach, wondering what would happen or if anything even would.  How was their faith tested at that point when they had done everything in their power to be obedient and it was now in the Lord's hands to get them where they needed to go?"

I loved this experience because, I felt impressed by this sister's openness and honesty in her ability to admit to an entire group of women she didn't know, that she had down days.  That she did her best to be grateful and obedient but sometimes things were hard or she felt overwhelmed.  I appreciated Sister Beck's response in admitting that some days (and I'm sure she had many difficult days due to her calling) just were bad and it was okay.  Sometimes you have to just write the bad day off, allow yourself to feel, and move on.  The scripture she shared also touched me and has changed my perspective on the story of the Brother of Jared and his family.

Enjoying a relaxing day watching conference with the kitty :)

Today, for me, has been a good day.  As I said, I want to celebrate the successes in life, and today has been one of those.  I was able to visit my patient for the volunteer work I'm trying to do, and it proved to be a very rewarding experience.  We chatted for a bit and began reading The Count of Monte Cristo.  It was fun to read aloud and have someone listen so intently.  I left feeling needed, warm, and light.  As if the small problems and concerns I'd been dealing with were now transformed from giant roadblocks, to small little nicks in the pavement.  They're still there and things I need to figure out, however they didn't feel insurmountable anymore.

I was able to spend time with my family and catching up with an old friend as well which always makes for a great day.  Conference was Spiritually uplifting and I learned a few things about myself today and how to get myself there.  I'm very grateful for my life and the experiences I have to learn and grow and Heavenly Father's forgiveness in allowing me to have "bad days" which make the good days even better and appreciated.