What a joy to be at our grandson Maxwell Davis Craig‘s baby blessing today. Life is always busy, but it's nice to finally be home after a whirlwind week in NYC talking about Nutrisystem and staying healthy... and what a week it was! The first day was 36 straight hours from TSV on QVC straight into early morning press for the next several days starting at 5 AM (that's 2 AM Vegas time 🤣)!! Even though I was exhausted when I got home, I was so thankful my body was able to keep up with the crazy hours and little sleep these past few days required 👍. My #1 message was, in this order, health of body, mind and soul. When people called in to QVC to say they had lost 20, 40, 60, 100 pounds and more I was so happy to be able to share their excitement at getting healthier, because that is just what happened to me! I have learned that if our body is healthy, the physical wellbeing then effects our mind and it’s ability to function with more clarity of thought, even in the most stressful times. Also, when our minds are healthier, we are better able to focus on finding the joy of living our lives even when stress and difficulties arise! We are better able to cope and really “see” so we can focus on those paths or choices that bring lasting joy to our eternal souls!
“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” ~Russell M. Nelson
This quote reminded me of a short story…
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”
There were only a few coins in the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.
Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.
That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”
The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.” I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”
Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see…
This new sign changed everything with just a small shift in perspective. As we take a moment to discern what we are focusing on we can ask ourselves, "Am I blind to what’s going on around me? Am I blinded so much by my own sorrows that I can’t see the difficulties others are having? Am I blinded by how right I must be that I cannot forgive those who have wronged me?" We can do so much good in the world by simply asking the Lord in prayer, “Who do you need me to serve today?” And then to serve with all your body, mind and soul. This focus or desire to serve will fill us with joy which is the pure love of Christ.
I know that it's hard when we think our own problems are impossible to solve, or have a wrong that is too hard to forgive, or a loss too large to overcome. But asking yourself, “who needs me today?” can give us a new perspective so we can find peace when our concerns and problems rob us of finding joy.
“Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks.”
I love this scripture because once again the Savior refers to us as friends while He teaches us the pattern for happiness. He reminds us not to be afraid, to be comforted, happy and to give thanks for everything. I have found as we do these things we can fearlessly go forward helping others knowing we can find peace (comfort) and happiness, which reminds me to be grateful.
Twelve years ago, I made it my goal to take better care of my body so I could live longer and better serve my children; it helped me SEE more clearly the beauty in each day. It gave me a clearer desire and the energy to serve and spread this message of joy as much as I possibly can!
May our prayers always focus on God to help us find – to the best of our ability – those we can “see” and “serve” no matter what life brings. Happy Sunday!
