Friday, July 2, 2010

Inspiration!

 

"NIGHT NEVER HAD THE LAST WORD. THE DAWN IS ALWAYS INVINCIBLE."  ~ Hugh B. Brown

I have a young friend of mine that has had some real struggles in her life. Understanding to some degree how hard life can be at that age, I searched for a quote that I might put in a card for her and I think I found the perfect one, this one at the top.

I wished that I could have shared a lesson that I heard from a speaker in church which was directed to the Young Women, it was truly inspirational. Here is part of it, just in case she is reading my blog.

"Over the years I have been exposed to many beautiful languages--each of them is fascinating and remarkable; each has its particular charm. But as different  as these languages can be, they often have things in common. For example, in most languages there exists a  phrase as magical and full of promise as perhaps any in the world. That phrase is "Once upon a time."

Aren't those wonderful words to begin a story? "Once upon a time" promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of everlasting love. In many of these stories, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words "And they lived happily ever after."

Isn't that what we all desire: to be the heroes and heroines of our own stories; to triumph over adversity; to experience life in all it's beauty; and, in the end, to live happily ever after?

For a moment, think back about your favorite fairy tale. In that story the main character may be a princess or a peasant; she might be a mermaid or a milkmaid, a ruler or a servant. You will find one thing all have in common: they must overcome adversity. Cinderella had to endure her wicked stepmother and evil stepsisters. She is compelled to suffer long hours of servitude and ridicule. "Beauty and the Beast," Belle becomes a captive to a frightful-looking beast in order to save her father. She sacrifices her home and family, all she holds dear, to spend several months in the beast's castle.

In each of these stories, Cinderella, Belle and the miller's daughter have to experience sadness and trial before they can reach their "happily ever after." Think about it. Has there ever been a person who did not have to go through his or her own dark valley of temptation, trial, and sorrow?

Sandwiched between their "once upon a time" and "happily ever after," they all had to experience great adversity. Why must all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy and love?

The scriptures tell us there must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter.

In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father had set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can  learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."                         ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf May 2010

I read this quote the other day..."IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER"

So I believe that is just exactly what we need to strive for each day and happiness and peace that only comes from truly understanding our worth and our purpose here on earth. Yes, I pray my young friend will come to know this for herself and that I myself will remember it on the tough days!

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