happiness?

My mom said something a few weeks ago that really hit me.  I don't think she realizes how much it has impacted me, and I've been thinking about it nonstop.  Most people get so discouraged when they can't seem to find real happiness, but the thing is that we aren't going to find complete, eternal happiness and joy until after this life.  That's what she told me.  I don't think she means that we can't be happy in this life, because we can.  Everyone can.  I completely agree with her. Complete, eternal happiness and joy aren't going to come just yet; they will be the reward for you when you endure to the end, and be as happy as you can be while you're here on earth.  Don't' lose hope.  Happiness will come, but not for free.  It's impossible to just simply be happy.  You really have to work for it.  There are so many distractions here today to keep us from being happy.  We get so caught up in trying to find happiness through material things.  Then we get even more frustrated when the new outfit we wore didn't make us feel any better.  Having an eternal perspective on life can change so much.  Keeping that bright hope, that shining light in your eyes, that warm place in your heart, even when the world can seem so dark and cold, will bring about true happiness.  The kind of happiness that won't be dampened with the negativity of society.  Showing that you can keep that bright light and steady hope in this life, will make the true happiness and joy received later on, so worth it.  Always remember that.  Staying true to you, and keeping that hope inside of you will give you the happiness that this life has to offer.  Keep your chin up.  Just think of the happiness you have yet to experience, and be ready for it.  It will come.  Be there waiting with an open heart, and take in that pure joy when it comes.  It's coming.  Perhaps it's on it's way right now!  Maybe it just missed the bus stop and took a couple wrong turns, but that makes it that much more beautiful.   


           .brookelle. 

Songs..

• Good For Great - Matt & Kim
• Fader - The Temper Trap
• Change - Churchill

That Feeling

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to the ED SHEERAN concert in Salt Lake on Wednesday!!!  My very good friend was such a sweetheart and bought us tickets to go.  I probably sound crazy, but it was seriously one of the best experiences I've ever had.  I've honestly never seen someone with that much talent in person before, and I am so inspired.  I'm actually still in denial that it's over.  There's just something about being in that setting, the only thing that matters is the music, and how it touches your heart and your soul if you let it.  Taking it all in.  I frequently found myself just standing there, eyes closed, hands clasped together, body swaying, letting that feeling sink deep inside.  Incredible is a complete understatement for how I felt.  It was so refreshing for me to hear and see him.  Someone with REAL talent.  REAL passion.  AND.... obviously his super attractive accent and messy hair contributed to the refreshing of my soul...(; But really.  It inspired me to not take any moment for granted.  Although it obviously helps to be in a setting like that, you really don't have to be at an amazing concert, or across the world in a foreign country to really feel that feeling.  That feeling of beauty, of sanity and insanity all at once.  How perfectly imperfect everything is.  Take it all in.  All of it.  Sick of the snow?  How incredible is it that it's scientifically possible for frozen water molecules to stick together and fall from the sky like magic? How everything can be so certainly uncertain, unbeautifully beautiful.  Embrace the flaws.  Breathe in that cold winter air, and feel it.  Don't just feel it.  Really feel it.  Take every moment for what it's worth; it's priceless.  How fascinating is it, that every single individual in the world, every single one, keeps life moving.  Every one has a different life to live, but at the same time, it all comes together.  With one less person here, things change.  Everybody makes a difference just by breathing.  By having a beating heart in their chest.  Don't take that for granted.  Take it in.  

I love it that some people are kind enough to put their high quality videos on YouTube.  Now you can all at least somewhat understand what I'm talking about.  

Absolutely unreal. 

                ..brookelle 

Medicine for my soul..

• Autumn Leaves -  Ed Sheeran
• Lego House - Ed Sheeran

• Small Bump - Ed Sheeran          #sorrynotsorry   

Clean Your Window

This video is a little bit cheesy, but hits the nail right on the head.  

 

I know all of us have our own "dirty windows" that could use some cleaning.  Most of us make these mistakes every day.  Just because someone has sins or makes mistakes that you don't particularly have a hard time with doesn't mean that you are better than them.  We all have our own temptations and weaknesses that we struggle with, and let's face it, every single one of us messes up every day.  Instead of judging others based on their sins and mistakes, try to fix your own.  As Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, "Don't judge me because I sin differently from you." 

  

The Savior teaches us in this simple story, that none of us on this earth are worthy to judge anybody else, no matter who it may be, for their sins or mistakes.  "He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone."  None of us are without sin.  How often do we find ourselves doing this very thing.  Obviously not literally calling people out on it all the time, but in our thoughts.  It is so easy to judge others and look down on them because of their problems, but we all need to remember that we all have things to fix.  Ghandi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  Instead of criticizing others for what they are doing wrong, we need to change ourselves for the better, and in turn, we will see the world as a more beautiful place.  

Don't set out to change the world, set out to change yourself; the rest will fall into place.

            

                                      brookelle