Journey's End

This is a series I am doing for the month of October. If you are new, you can start HERE.

Day 31
Thoughts on Joy:
Well, we did it. We reached the end of this long stretch of road, but this isn't really the end. Of course you knew that already. If there was an appropriate bumper sticker for our trip it might say "Eternity or Bust" because isn't that really where we are headed anyway? We are on our way back home.


I learned some new things and had other things reaffirmed to me on this trip. I kind of came up with a basic (mostly, though not entirely encompassing) formula for joy: 1. The Savior, Jesus Christ (The Light at the end of the tunnel); 2. Keeping the commandments and living the gospel (our road map; our compass); 3. Family (our traveling companions); 4. Service (service stations--recharge, refuel, rejoice!); 5. Gratitude (makes the trip more pleasant); 6. Faith (keeping going one mile marker at a time--it won't all be uphill).

Life keeps going and I will continue to try to find joy in my journey even on the dark days. I hope you will too. I loved reading the joys that you shared. Thank you, thank you. On my worst and saddest days during this little road trip sometimes my joy came through you. I think you understand what I'm trying to say even though I am not articulating it well. I guess in a nutshell, when you had joy, it gave me joy.

So, that wraps up "31 Days of  Finding Joy in the Journey". Thanks for coming along for the ride. It was a great trip. Road trips are always more fun with friends. I hope you will continue to find joy wherever this journey called life takes you.
 

Further readings about joy that I love:

• Finding Joy in the Journey by Thomas S. Monson
• Finding Joy in Life by Richard G. Scott 
• An High Priest of Good Things to Come by Jeffrey R. Holland
  
• Faith Through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy by Robert D. Hales
• It is Better to Look Up by Carl B. Cook
• Remember Lot's Wife by Jeffrey R. Holland

Today I Found Joy in My Journey:
--reflecting back on the past month and the joys I have found, the friends I have made and the things I have learned.
--my gregarious little Specs trying to have conversations with the people at every house we went trick-or-treating to.
--my boys wanting to hold my hand as we were out walking. They will not want to hold my hand forever--these days are numbered.
--making paper plate jack-o-lanterns, thumbprint spiders and candy corn pizza.
--laughing with my sister on the phone. Man, it feels good to laugh.

One last time: What brought you joy today?

 

Other posts HERE