I Choose Happiness

I guess this post is somewhat of an update on life in general. A couple months ago I was.....not happy, to put it simply. For instance, there was this post. I was not in a good place in my life. Then it got a little better after that for a couple weeks, but I never was truly happy. Well, things have definitely changed.

The week of Thanksgiving, I was walking through the institute and decided to help make grilled cheese sandwiches. That day changed my life. I met a girl, Izumi, who invited me to join the Spirit of Place Committee at the institute. She doesn't know it yet, but I owe this all to her. She is what started it all. At that time, we only had like 2 meetings before Christmas break, so I didn't really get to know the other people all that well yet. 

This semester started, and I wanted to be better. I wanted to make new friends, and the institute was the best place for that :) On my committee, I have met some of the greatest people! I have made friendships faster than I ever thought possible, but it is because of how loving people are and how accepting they are. I cannot express the love and gratitude that I have for those people and for the institute in general :) 

So, I can finally say it. I am happy again. I know that I will have some down days every now and then, just like everyone else. But those down days aren't the majority any longer. They aren't going to define who I am anymore. Pres. Thomas S. Monson said in the First Presidency Message this month, "We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude." I can choose to be happy, no matter what is thrown at me. School is still going to be stressful, boys are still going to be confusing, and making decisions is still going to be hard. But I'm going to be happy through it all. 

Sorry if this ended up being more of a "testimony" post, but I owe my life to the gospel, and it made me who I am today. I love institute and the feeling of peace, comfort, and love that get as soon as I walk through the doors. I love being able to learn about the gospel every Monday and Wednesday between Chemistry and Physiology, and then early on Thursday mornings for our committee meetings. I just cannot express enough the love that I really feel for this program in the church.

Anyways, I hope that you have all had an amazing Sunday and that you have awesome week this week!