what makes a person happy?

i have been pondering this question for the past week

you see people who you think should be happy-

they have everything (or so it seems)

but yet they are lacking in the being grateful department of life

& just aren't happy

i didn't get it

i know people fall down in life

& things happen that don't seem fair

we complain or hold a grudge

every single person is guilty of doing this

i know i am

we are all given different & unique trails in our lives to overcome

but that's just the key word- overcome

its about overcoming those obstacles & getting back up when we fall

being grateful for our life & everything that has happened

good or bad

its those experiences that make us who we are

we should take those trials with open arms & run with them

show everyone else that you can do it

you can overcome it & you wont let it bring you down

being thankful for the things you do have & not what you don't

i haven't always thought this way-

but now i do

a while back my dad lost his job

my family's whole world was turned upside down

everything changed

i thought it was the most horrible thing that had ever happened to me

i was stupid

& i was ungrateful

it was extremely hard at first

it felt like everything we used to know was being taken away from us

i felt robbed

& i was angry

but as time went on- it got easier & easier

my family had a change of heart

& i had a change of heart

we grew closer as a family

spent more time together

had family home evening

read the scriptures together

prayed together

& somehow we made it through even better than before

somehow all our needs were met

all our worries seemed to go away

we were blessed- to say the least

i am so grateful to have had this experience

& even though my dad has finally found a new job

i know each and everyone of us has taken & learned so much this trial

it has made every single person in my family become a better person

a little more grateful

a little more kind

a little more loving

a little bit stronger

& a lot more appreciative for the blessings in our lives

we were happy before

but we are all happier now

its funny how that happens

going through something so hard- made us happier

im so proud of my younger siblings and the people they are growing up to be

but mostly im proud of my parents

for staying strong for all of us-

because we needed their example

for helping us know the true importance of life

& for helping us grow closer to the gospel

so while i was at church today still pondering the question

what makes a person happy?

i was thinking of the little things- lots of things that can make a person happy

but the real answer i was looking for sort of hit me as i looked down the bench at every single one of my family's faces

having the gospel in your life- is what makes a person happy

thats the answer i was looking for

it was the answer to my prayers

i honestly believe that a person cannot be truly happy without it in their life

without it i don't think my family would have come this far

we wouldn't have been as blessed

i am so thankful to my heavenly father

for everything he has given me

for my family & for the blessings we have

for being sealed in the temple for all time & eternity

for prayer- knowing that someone is always there to listen

for my trials

i am a better because of them

& for the atonement

the gospel strengthens my heart

& restores my soul

it brings me happiness & joy each & everyday

i changed as a person

& im happy to say that

im a little bit better than i was before

i am still learning & growing

but im proud of who i am

& where i am going in life

i am happy

"however mean your life is

meet it & live it

it looks poorest when you are richest

love your life- poor as it is"

-henry david thoreau