Finding Joy in the Journey

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Finding Joy in the Journey, by President Thomas S. Monson


I think I've always wanted to be a loving husband and father. As a small child, I remember often being asked the favorite question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I always struggled with that question (I probably still do) because it never seemed satisfactory to say, "I want to be a good daddy." As I grew, I realized that someday I would need to choose an additional answer to that question, but I've always secretly held on to the desire to be a good daddy. I've been trying to realize that goal, but I can still improve in many, many ways.

President Monson's talk title encapsulates something I've been striving (sometimes successfully) to do: to find joy in the journey. President Eyring's talk, O Ye That Embark, reminded me of this (my thoughts here), but in a more tangential way. President Monson's talk was right on target. The whole talk seemed to scream to me: Family! Family! Family!

I want to share some of the quotes that were of particular importance to me, without much commentary. (However, I am trying to live the message of the talk: I'm holding my little Benjamin and giving him kisses and cuddles after every word.)

Among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today.

Make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

These are just a few quotes, but they are what I needed to hear—how I need to live.

As a side note, while thinking of this talk's message, and while typing, the hymns "Today, While the Sun Shines" (link) and "Have I Done Any Good?" (link) kept coming to mind. In fact, I started to hum/sing an amalgamation of both that was quite fun (too bad you weren't here to hear it!).

As I think of enjoying life now (and later), I swell with gratitude for Christ, who makes joy (and eternal joy), a reality now, a possible way of life, and a viable future.

The Atonement really is infinite—in its power to save, as well as in its day-to-day real-life applications.