Ten Lessons of Life

I saw on Facebook some friends nominating each other for listing on Facebook ten lessons they have learned in life.

I thought to myself, "that is a wonderfully awesome idea!"

And so, surprise surprise, I have listed some lessons of life I have learned.

I can't list all of them – the Millennium would have begun by then. I have listed ones that are dear to my heart.

I know they are true. They are not intentionally ordered.

1

Adapting and applying the concept of an eternal perspective in our daily lives requires having a mindset of pausing and listening. Feeling whether or not feelings and thoughts are right and eternal. Having a prayer in my heart always, meaning, I have left an open ear for receiving God's promptings when they come. The priorities of God's will is continually sought for in my life.

2

Having a strong influence on the happiness of others involves, as the highest level, engaging with them because of love for them. "Well, I just want to be with you, so I don't mind what we do," "you won't be with me, so I don't like that idea," "I'll be happy if you're happy," "let's work this out together," are great examples of words that indicate that your relationship and connection with them is important to you.

3

Morning and evening prayers are opportunities to lift your heart, mind and soul to divinity for healing, strengthening, consolation and loving correction that brings greater happiness. It is a time when you can ask to feel the love of God, and He can fill you up to overflowing with His love for you. It is a sacred experience that should be and can be received daily, alone in your figurative closet. You will not plan to pray for half an hour, but after a divine and sacred session of prayer, you will look at your watch and discover it has been a long time.

4

I have had times in my life – even lasting months – when a question of my soul, a fundamental question about life, plagued my mind and heart. I was bothered by the lack of answers, and consequently, bothered by the lack of peace I felt that brought about my questioning. You may be familiar with such examples of questions: Why is there so much suffering in this world? Why do I keep on hurting others? How do I deal with the continual, incessant abuse of others? Who am I, and what do I exist for? Why do I feel continually burdened? I have approached such questions with sincere earnestness in my whole soul, without reservation. I have prayed with my whole soul with tears and crying to God. I have diligently searched the scriptures and the words of living prophets for answers, and I have found not only the answers, but accompanying them was the sweet, peaceful witness of the Holy Ghost. Mine was like unto Alma's experience: "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" (Alma 36:20)

5

The Atonement of Christ is applied, many times, through the Holy Ghost in softening my heart to accept God's will. To love those seemingly unlovable, to face challenges seemingly insurmountable, to become someone even better than we ever dreamed and imagined, to head into the foggy cloud of uncertainty knowing Christ is at he helm. The Atonement of Christ can change any negative into a positive. Whatever my concerns of the present, if I place my trust and faith in Him and apply His ways to myself, closer comes the day when I forget I had that concern.

6

How do you know when truth is truth, and God is speaking to you? I have come to know such when I have distinguished between the feelings I receive with each one. I have noticed a full assurance in my heart. Sometimes not immediately have I noticed it or received it, but it does come eventually, and it is the greatest feeling in the world – it is the feeling of God's love. It is His peace telling you what His ways are, and that everything will be alright.

7

When someone is showing forth pride, anger, they need someone who loves them. When I have been prideful and/or angry, I have found myself pacified by someone who was still able to reach me through love: non-judgmentality, empathy, kindness, a listening ear and heart, a willingness to serve and go the extra mile, someone who understands. I pray for those types of people in my life, and pray we all have them.

8

Everyone you see and meet each day is a child of God. They long for something that, most of the time, they know not. When I have realised the joys and perfection of Christ and the gospel, finding how He heals everything, and gives meaning to everything, I exclaim "I wish I knew this earlier!" I'm sure everyone feels, or will feel the same way.

9

Contrary to popular culture and society, the mainstream of the church following the united voice of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will never be led astray. This world will get crazier – unimaginably crazier – than it is now. More and more will we have the test of how willing we are to humble ourselves and follow the mouthpieces of God. But God has promised that He will not allow us to be led away. Give strict heed to the teachings and counsels of the Brethren. God speaks through them, and you must seek out confirmation of the truthfulness of their calling and their teachings.

10

One day, we will return to our Heavenly Father – all of us – and a personal, introspective evaluation of our lives will take place inside of us. Our memory of our lives will return, and be perfect. We will have clarity of judgment for who we have chosen to be and become. We will see the people we have blessed as well as the people we have hurt. We will see the materialism as a source of false happiness, and will see God, families, friends, learning, and progression as the things that did bring eternal happiness.