4 days later

So we are four days into 2013 and I have to say I am slightly relieved to have the happy thoughts daily quote project over. I've been debating on what to do with this blog now. Do I publish last year and then delete the blog and let someone else have a go at the url? Do I come up with another project? Do I let it sit here stagnant and collect dust?



Anyway, this is just me sitting here on a Friday night wondering what is to become of this blog. I've had a few ideas but none that I have gotten as excited about as I did last year around this time. So stay tuned... there may be nothing here for a while but when inspiration hits, there will be something.

So here's to the start of something exciting, whatever it is.

If you search the world for happiness, you may find it in the end, for the world is round and will lead you back to your door.

Robert Brault

During the last year, there have been moments when this blog felt like a futile attempt to figure out what makes me happy. The reality is, I already knew the answer to the this question.

So am I happier than I was 366 days ago? ...

Perhaps a little.

"Men are, that they might have joy." I testify that much of that joy comes as we recognize that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through prayer and that those prayers will be heard and answered--perhaps not how and when we expected they would be answered, but they will be answered and by a Heavenly Father who knows and loves us perfectly and who desires our happiness. Hasn't He promised us, "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to they prayers"?

Thomas S. Monson

Come walk the path that leads to eternal happiness, joy, and everlasting life in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.

Robert D. Hales

The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be. Our lives can also be filled with joy as we follow the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thomas S. Monson

Now, brothers and sisters, I'm not encouraging religious zealotry or fanaticism. Quite the contrary! I'm simply suggesting that we take the next logical step in our complete conversion to the gospel of Christ by assimilating its doctrine deep within our hearts and our souls so we will act and live consistently--and with integrity--what we profess to believe. This integrity simplifies our lives and amplifies our sensitivities to the Spirit and to the needs of others. It brings joy into our lives and peace to our souls--the kind of joy and peace that comes to us as we repent of our sins and follow the Savior by keeping His commandments.

M. Russell Ballard

Testimony brings increased personal accountability and is a source of purpose, assurance, and joy.

David A. Bednar

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:23

And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

1 Nephi 11:20-23

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ The Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

It is strange what a contempt men have for the joys that are offered them freely.

Georges Duhamel

Like a holiday shutdown...

Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves to get it.

Don Herold

One should be either sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.

Eugene O'Neill

We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it.

George Bernard Shaw

The happiness of most people is not ruined by great catastrophes or fatal errors, but by the repetition of slowly destructive little things.

Ernest Dimnet

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 15:10-11

Happiness is... usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults.

Thomas Szasz

Last week with the children's Christmas party and this week with the adult one, I'm pretty sure there are pros to both phases.

Every now and then,
when the world sits just right,
a gentle breath of heaven
fills my soul with delight...

Hazelmarie 'Mattie' Elliot

With the tragedy of today, I pray we can all find a moment to feel the gentle breeze of heaven and feel the assurance and peace that comes from God.

The search for happiness is unlike any other search, for we search last in the likeliest places.

Robert Brault