That they might have joy

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

I usually don't touch on religious subjects here, but since my religion is part of my every being, I had to share that scripture.

Ever since I started driving home from work today, I've been repeating this scripture over and over in my head.

I hopped in my car after work, turned on the radio, and listened to the first song on my CD: "Boys of Summer" by Don Henley. It got me pumped for summer. I rolled down my windows, turned up the music, and started cruising. A few minutes later I rolled my windows back up because it was too choppy on the freeway (thanks, Kari), and I kept on cruising. The mountains and sky were so ethereal today, and the scripture popped back into my head. "Men are, that they might have joy."

I think we get so caught up in life and somehow just end up going through the motions that we forget that the purpose of this life is to follow our Savior's example so that we can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. While we're in this probationary state, we are to have joy. There are ups and downs, but our Father is so aware of each one of our circumstances that we have no reason to despair; he will lift us, strengthen us, and mold us how he sees fit.

I've started running for 30 minutes every other day. I'm not a runner by any means, but I figure that I don't spend enough time outside what with working eight hours each day, the hour-long commute I make to and from work, and the rest of the time being spent with friends. Last week I left work for lunch and decided not to take the freeway--I don't know my way around the area aside from the freeway, but I thought it'd be fine to get lost . . . and not stress. I went to the park and swung on the swings for half an hour while talking to a friend who lives in another state. Tonight I walked to the grassy hill on campus and lay on the grass while the sun was setting, just trying to soak up the Vitamin D.

Life isn't meant to be monotonous. We're here to learn, to read and study from the best books, to create beautiful things, to love, to grow, to lift and strengthen one another, to become our best selves. And what better place to do that than on this gorgeous green earth? I guess I'm just suggesting that one way we can escape life and enjoy the creations around us is to explore nature. One of my absolute favorite things is a Texas thunderstorm, and though I miss those, I have the picturesque mountains right outside my bedroom window, painted on a perfect light blue backdrop. You just have to smile and be happy about where you're at in life.

I understand I sound a little preachy--I'm sorry. It's always nice to think about things from an eternal perspective and to remember that sometimes all we can do is keep breathing.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."