Life

Life can be such a fragile thing.  One moment, it's teeming, thriving, and excelling.  The next, it can be gone.  In the course of this world, people come and go; it is the way of life.

At times of sorrow, when one life ends, one you knew who brings you pain, remember that his or her life does not end.  Sure, the physical body in this sphere of existence is gone, but there is a life after Earth.

In my church, we are taught about something called the Plan of Salvation.  This same plan is known also as the Plan of Redemption, and the Plan of Happiness.  When taught, the teachers explain that we lived as spirits of God in what we have termed the pre-mortal existence.  After a war in Heaven, we elected to come to Earth to receive a body, and that one day, after we died, we would live again with God in His Kingdom.  (If you want to know more about this plan, visit www.mormon.org or find the local LDS missionaries.)

You see, when we die, our spirits live on.  All Christians believe that Christ was resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion.  Because of this act and His Atonement, our spirits and our bodies will one day be reunited.  We will be able to be with our families and friends.  And it is possible for us to live with God forever.

So just remember, when a life ends on this Earth, it is not over.  You will see that person again.  Though the sorrow and pain of the loss is immediate and you want nothing more than to be with them, just wait.  The time will come when you will.  This life is but a moment in the vast span of our existence.

Just live your life doing the best that you can, settling all the regrets you have.  All is not lost.

The inspiration for this post was wrought by the death of one of my classmates.  I will not pretend to have known him on a personal level, but from what I saw of him he was kind, caring, and tenderhearted.  He loved to laugh, knew how to make others laugh, and enjoyed his friends.  I never knew his family, but I saw him in the halls.  He will be remembered.

Taylor Reinshmiitd: God be with you 'til we meet again.

Scattering Sunshine, all along your way

The idea for my own blog was inspired by two things.  First, one of my friends, who is currently a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, posted a comment on his own blog using lures and fishing as a metaphor for temptation.  I posted my own comment on the same.  Second is an LDS Hymn, which is the namesake of my blog.

I love this hymn, but the sad thing is that it is not well known.  Found in the LDS Hymnal as Hymn #230, its message is one of gladness, happiness, and good cheer.

"In a world of sorrow Ever shall be known,
Where are found the needy And the sad and lone,
How much joy and comfort You can all bestow,
If you scatter sunshine Ev'rywhere you go"




Such a true statement.  This is a world of sorrow, or at least one where sorrows exist and abound.  We often will see homeless people roaming the streets, panhandling, or finding a place to bed down for the night, having nowhere else to go.  How much joy and comfort could you bestow by scattering sunshine, or at least doing everything you can to spread cheer and happiness?

"Slightest actions often Meet the sorest needs,
For the world wants daily Little kindly deeds.
Oh, what care and sorrow You may help remove,
With your songs and courage, Sympathy and love.


When the days are gloomy, Sing some happy song;
Meet the world's repining With a courage strong.
Go with faith undaunted Through the ills of life;
Scatter smiles and sunshine O'er its toil and strife."


The next time you feel down, count your blessings instead of dwelling on the bad things.  It's not worth your time.  Smile, and move on with your life.  Spread a little sunshine, do a little service, and kick the sorrow out the window!  Give everything you try your best effort and then you won't have any regrets.  Live life well and in a spirit of gladness.