Category: Happiness

Discovering A Happier Path For Me

As I set my sights on pursuing what I thought I would love doing, I came into discovering a happier path for me.

For years, I have had a strong desire and interest to do what I thought I would absolutely love doing. As I have set my sights on pursuing this endeavor, along the way, doors of opportunity have opened up and I have come into discovering a happier path for me.

In my first semester of college many, many  years ago, I took an accounting class. I liked accounting and I thought I would enjoy it as a career, however, one day during a question and answer session with several accountants who came to our class, it was shared that within five years it was not uncommon for accountants to feel burnt out. It was a tender mercy I learned this beneficial information in the beginning of my college years. As I wanted to get a degree in an area I would love long term as well as one in which I could financially support my future family if necessary, I decided right then that going into accounting was not in fact the career for me.

I eventually went on to study and graduate with a degree in Family Science to which I am to this day passionate about and drawn to continuously educate myself on various areas within this field. With a great love for all people, who they are and their individual backgrounds, I have always been inspired by messages and stories shared by speakers at firesides, conferences, Time Out For Women, TED Talks, etc. and have one day wanted to be a speaker myself. The ability to be a light to others and impact the lives of so many in a positive, uplifting way on a stage in front of a lot of people is what I thought I would absolutely love to do.

Along the way of aspiring to become an inspirational speaker, I have had numerous opportunities to interact with individuals one-on-one and in small groups through various church callings, time as a copy pal liaison and a backup Mindful Parenting coach, to hosting social gatherings in my home. It has been a tender mercy that through these experiences, I have come into discovering a happier path for me where I thrive and my personality comes alive. If that translated on a stage, it would be great! 

I imagine outside of being on the stage, a large aspect of being a speaker also involves a lot of correspondence via writing. For me, keeping up with it all would be too much at this time!! I am not ruling out that I’ll be an inspirational speaker one day, but as of right now, I am discovering a happier path for me and it is working with individuals one-on-one or in small groups—teaching, coaching, and facilitating discussions where I am able to be a light and a positive influence in the lives of others for good without being inundated with what for me, at least at this particular time in my life, would be overwhelming and cumbersome. 

When have you pursued what you thought you’d love doing and you came into discovering a happier path for you?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to  receive an email when new posts are published which includes an audio version of the post as well, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.

Circling Back To Pay A Compliment

Within moments of saying goodbye to friends I had spent over an hour or so with and before making it all the way to the door to leave entirely, I felt impressed to return and express my gratitude for the goodness one of them has rendered to so many in our community. And then again, shortly thereafter, when departing a one-on-one conversation with another friend in the parking lot, I was impressed to turn back around to share a positive attribute and strength I saw as one of their gifts, verbalizing my admiration of their thoughtfulness and acts of charity they give so willingly and generously to others. 

Initially, these tender sentiments of appreciation I felt for both of my friend’s kind actions had remained only in my mind and heart until I received a prompting to go back and share my thoughts with them. At first, I hesitated and upon a re-occurring prompting, I circled back and complimented each of them in person. 

When I am with my friends, I often feel a gratitude well up inside of me as I hear and observe the ways they serve others, but I don’t always speak up and share my feelings with them. I think, surely they already know the impact and difference their gifts, talents, and good deeds are having in the life of someone else, right? However, much of the time, I don’t know for myself whether what I do is making a positive impact or not in the lives of others and when I hear that it is, it just feels so good and enhances and brightens my day. 

It was a tender mercy that as I circled back to compliment my friends, I was able to witness a spark in their eyes as they lit up and smiled. I saw a happiness come over them as I conveyed to them my genuine, sincere thankfulness for the ways they are blessing others’ lives. Although it felt awkward to have returned after leaving, I was grateful I did not ignore the prompting.  

When have you felt prompted to circle back and return to a conversation you just ended with someone to pay them a compliment? 

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Adjustable Pre-Purchased Park Tickets

Over Spring Break, our family traveled out-of-town to visit several theme parks. During the week, Monday through Friday, we had pre-purchased tickets to a different park each day leaving the weekend for one day to drive back home and, before our kids returned to school, another day to recoup our exhausted energy after many long days of nonstop fun. 

Our days were packed full from sunrise to sunset. After 2 solid days of walking a lot and standing in lines, tiredness and sore feet set in and an unexpected occurrence derailed our plans for Wednesday. It was a tender mercy we had the flexibility to extend our trip one more day and fit in a day to relax midweek. The much needed break was essential allowing us to rest, leisurely prepare lunches and snacks for the latter half of the week, take it easy and enjoy a slow-paced day of napping, reading, and pool time. It was also a tender mercy that our purchased park tickets were able to be altered and switched to another day and the rearrangement at the end of the week did not set us back any to get home in time when school started back up.    

When have you experienced a change in your travel plans and you had the flexibility to extend your trip an additional day(s) and a pre-purchased ticket for something planned on the day that was derailed was able to be altered and changed for another day within the timeframe of your vacation?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Redirection

Not long ago, I was asked by someone if I would help them in a way they very much needed. I felt compassion and recognized that their need was of great importance, however, I did not have the skill set to be able to help them.

Worried about taking on something that was not a natural ability for me but one that would require a lot of effort and time and would be extremely stressful, I was very concerned with how to gently turn them down without it causing concern or impacting negatively our association with each other.

I felt a lot of anxiety and pressure weighing on me. I didn’t quite know what to do. I fretted for days and prayed, seeking an answer to know what I should to do to maintain my health and happiness at the same time not creating any unfavorable distance between us when I was unable to individually fulfill their need.

It was a huge tender mercy when one morning while out, I was guided to an amazing person I have become acquainted, who has the essential skills. Why I didn’t think of them sooner, I don’t know, other than I believe the timing was not a coincidence.

I felt the stirrings of the Spirit prompt me to provide their information to the one needing help. I felt joy and relief. I was extremely grateful for this answer to my prayer and happy I was able to be a conduit in redirecting this individual to another person who was better able to give and provide adequately what was needed in a manner I could not. It felt good to be able to help them in some way while also not taking upon myself unhealthy stresses. 

When have you lacked a particular skill that was needed by someone asking for your help and you were able to be a conduit redirecting them to another person you had been guided to who had that essential skill?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Choosing Admiration and Love For Others Above Self Doubt

I looked forward to socializing and having real conversations with friends at a casual event one evening. Although I knew most everyone, I was surprised by my feeling awkward when a friend would stay only momentarily in our dialogue before stepping away to interact and mingle with other friends. When I was reached out to and asked how things were going, it was easy to respond with a deeper than surface answer because of the friendships I had with each, however, when the dialogues didn’t last long and were cut short, I was perplexed. 

Within a few minutes after I shared personal and monumental life’s happenings with different friends, they flittered away mid-conversation roaming elsewhere among the other guests and the food table. I didn’t know whether they were disinterested in what I was sharing or maybe preoccupied and just not fully invested in our conversation because their attention was split among the multiple other activities taking place.    

It was a challenge, yet I didn’t let it distract me. I remained happy and continued to smile. I was able to look past the broken conversations and an uncomfortableness I felt at one point when I observed whisperings and eyes on me, good or bad I wasn’t sure. I didn’t get caught up in the drama nor self doubt my worth or the friendships and connections I have with each one of them. I kept my head held high. Although I interacted with friends the entire time and had one meaningful conversation, I anticipated and expected I would have more-so connected with others than I actually did. 

I could have allowed my feeling lost and alone, even among so many friends, to sink me and turn away and walk out. Instead, I found myself admiring each person I knew, recognizing their individual qualities, their strengths and talents, valuing their personalities, and seeing them for the incredible people they are to me rather than telling myself and believing that no one was interested in me. 

It was a tender mercy I was able to transition from feeling a separation when the conversations ended abruptly to feeling love, admiration, appreciation, and gratitude for each of my friends. 

When have you found yourself moving from a place of self doubt when conversations with friends didn’t go the way you hoped and wanted to feeling an admiration and a love for your friends? 

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Clarity

I experienced a spiritual trial I never thought I would ever experience. For over two decades I had been going to a place, a physical place, a beautiful place where I felt joy, happiness, and peace. When I heard of changes that had taken place there, I felt anxiety, fear, and doubt. I was uncertain if and how the changes would affect and impact me. I distanced myself completely away from what had been a good thing for me for so long and lost all zest in going back. 

I kept my feelings and emotions inside until one day I was asked by someone if I would go there with them. My feelings and emotions came to the surface. Speaking out loud helped me work through and process the depth of my anxiety, fear, and doubts. It was a tender mercy when the opportunity to speak to my trepidation presented itself. As I opened up and was vulnerable in sharing my concerns, the underlying reason and cause that I had blocked, came out. Through speaking to it out loud, I felt a comfort being able to get to the core of my worries.

Soon after, although acting on an inspired prompting to go back, I felt an uneasiness and nervousness. As I spent time at this beautiful place, even with the changes that had occurred, it was still a good place and I was able to feel the same joy, happiness, and peace. Throughout the crisis, I never lost my faith in what I believed and in what I knew. A quote I really like by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf is, “Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.” Fear held me back and talking about it out loud brought me forward, to continue appreciating what I had enjoyed over the course of so many years.

When have you lost a zeal and zest for something that used to mean a lot to you because of a change that left you “in the dark” and talking through and processing out loud your deep core worries, you were comforted and able to return back to what you once loved doing? 

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Inside Out

I was bummed when a new, thick thermal sock that was originally smooth on the outside came out of the dryer with a frayed liked appearance. It was the first time I’d washed the socks after they had been worn since recently purchased. I had made a point to separate laundry items with velcro from the socks. When I pulled the socks out and saw that one of the socks in the pair was fuzzy, I was concerned that what I tried to prevent happened anyway. Although seemingly small and insignificant, it was a tender mercy to me when the thought to turn the sock inside out entered my mind. I was delighted to see that the sock was not ruined after all. It was just inside out. 


When have you been bummed by an appearance that something was destroyed when in fact it was only inside out, upside down, or turned around, etc…?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Holiday Lights In The Park

When our kids were younger, we had, at one point, season passes to a roller coaster park near our home and subsequent years following an opportunity annually to attend twice during the year. Although we enjoyed going very much, we have not returned for a few years when the opportunity went away and as our children have gotten older and other activities and expenses have taken priority.

When we had extended family, who had season passes to the park, stop in for the holidays, they invited us to join them to experience the holiday lights and rides in the park altogether. We declined as the cost was outside of our budget. When they shared that on that day each member of their family had a “Bring a Friend Free” day pass for each member of our family, we happily accepted the invite. As they desired us to join them and we have missed not being back to the park for quite awhile, it was a tender mercy the special was being offered on the very day they were in town visiting. It was a delight to be in the park once again and it was a joyful experience to be with family!  

When have you missed attending a special place due to a lack of funds and you were delighted when you received an invite and free pass to return?

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Worth The Wait


After finishing up some school shopping one-on-one with my daughter, there was a short 30 minutes before I needed to pick up my other kids from there respective locations one after the other. We filled in the time and treated ourselves by ordering lunch “To Go” from a local soup/salad/sandwich & bakery cafe we both enjoy. As we stood in line waiting our turn, I eyed the scrumptious mouthwatering pastries; however, wanting to stay within a budget, we each purchased only a simple meal within my price range. 

Although we were the second name shown on a large screen display in the dining area to get our food, we sat and watched food come out to others and ours was not among them. After what seemed like quite a bit of waiting and our name staying in the same placement, I became worried if I would be able to pick up my other kids on time. I shared my concern regarding the length of time with an employee helping make the food and when I asked how much longer it would be until our order would be ready, I was told they were keeping up with orders for those dining in, coming through drive-thru, and To Go orders. They were very apologetic that ours had not yet been made and offered myself and my daughter a free pastry. Yum! 

Right after we picked out a pastry of our choosing, our order was ready. Not having it in my budget to purchase the bakery item in addition to our meal, it was a tender mercy that due to the delay, we received a delicious free pastry. It was worth the wait. And, we made it just in time to pick up my other kids. 😊

While eating out, when have you resisted purchasing something delicious you really wanted, to stay within a budget and because of a longer than expected wait time or for some other reason, you were offered the tasty treat free of charge? 

tendermercym❤️ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Quickly Adjusting Priorities

While in my own little world listening in on a real-time call simultaneously browsing a store for Christmas gifts, I saw a friend coming up the aisle I was going down. Immediately in my mind I had a thought to put aside the call, that was being recorded, to go talk to her. I considered for a split second staying on the call and turning around to avoid any interaction, yet in that moment, I felt impressed to visit with my friend I hadn’t seen in months at, no less, a store I had only been to a few times and didn’t expect I would bump into anyone I knew. 

Sometimes I prefer to be by myself and avoid contact with others if I need my own personal quiet time or I’m in a hurry.  Although I was content to be unnoticed, it was a tender mercy that I followed the prompting to talk to her. It was wonderful catching up. I’d like to believe our conversation was good for both of us. As I quickly prioritized connection and friendship with her over isolating and distancing myself with a call that could be listened to at another time, I felt increased joy and happiness. I walked away uplifted because I took that time to dialogue with her.

Even though I also left critiquing myself, going over in my mind my weaknesses in our conversation and internalizing how I could have done better, it was a huge tender mercy that I was, in addition, able to acknowledge my strengths. Being aware and conscious that I am a talker and I struggle to articulate and communicate my thoughts well, I walked away frustrated with myself. I was concerned that my enthusiasm and talking about what was happening in my life took over a good portion of the dialogue when what I really wanted was to learn as much or more about her as I shared about myself and I was bothered when I referenced the church, for which I am a member, with the acronym LDS, when she may or may not have known what it meant, instead of saying the full name, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Despite doubting myself, I did not dwell solely on my shortcomings, but I also consciously spoke to myself and shared with my husband that I recognized with confidence that my being a high energy communicator and speaking passionately at the same time exuding positive feelings of love, care, and concern for others and the joy of life is a remarkable gift. 

Responding to the prompting to put away my phone and connect with my friend was a tender mercy in more than one way. It was a tender mercy to have had that in person time with her as well as reflect on the kind of friend I want to be and, most importantly, acknowledging to myself and my husband the good friend that I am.  

When have you set aside what you were doing to interact, in person, with a friend and after leaving the dialogue, your disappointments in yourself did not overshadow your recognizing your awesome qualities and gifts?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*