TheDiscipleMD

In my mind, the now deceased Joseph B. Wirthlin certainly wasn’t  a great orator. However, while I didn’t think much of his presentation, the talks her gave were gems and I always looked forward to reading them.

Such is the case with a talk he gave way back in 2006. His talk titled “The Abundant Life” gave wonderful counsel that finding happiness in life is a matter of attitude and perspective. Indeed, a choice!  I quote him:

“I have heard some claim, perhaps only partly in jest, that the only happy people are those who simply don’t have a firm grasp of what is happening around them. But I believe otherwise. I have known many who walk in joy and radiate happiness. I have known many who live lives of abundance. And I believe I know why. Today, I want to list a few of the characteristics that the happiest people I know have in common. They are qualities that can transform ordinary existence into a life of excitement and abundance.

First, they drink deeply of living waters. Fully understood and embraced, the gospel of Jesus Christ heals broken hearts, infuses meaning into lives, binds loved ones together with ties that transcend mortality, and brings to life a sublime joy. The abundant life is a spiritual life. Too many sit at the banquet table of the gospel of Jesus Christ and merely nibble at the feast placed before them.

The second quality of those who live abundant lives is that they fill their hearts with love…The third quality of those who live abundant lives is that they, with the help of their Heavenly Father, create a masterpiece of their lives. No matter our age, circumstances, or abilities, each one of us can create something remarkable in our lives.

Who knows of what we are capable if we only try?  The abundant life is within our reach if only we will drink deeply of living water, fill our hearts with love, and create of our lives a masterpiece.” (April GC, 2006)

So if we want to feel the excitement that this life has to offer, may we stop nibbling at the feast that life has to offer! There is always something ‘out of order’ in this life. When you read that sign posted on the outside of an elevator, you don’t go home and miss out; you start walking up the stairs. It’s harder, but the destination is the same!