Finding Joy in the Journey

You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays. -The Music Man

Living the patient life of a spouse waiting and waiting and waiting while Dr.H spends years pursuing his career aspirations can cause us to dream away our present in hope for the joy we will have in the future.

That day when we will have the lovely home. Our children will be well dressed and take lots of instrument lessons. We will finally give our clothes from high school to Goodwill and go on a shopping spree at Dillards (not Target).

When Present Thomas S. Monson, the present of my church, said, "I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now." I felt like I was being spoken to directly.

His talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" has given me a lot of comfort over these last few years. http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/finding-joy-in-the-journey?lang=eng

I thought to post this when I read Melisa's comment on Colleen's post,"I have known this girl since med school. Her hubby just finished residency this summer. She was thrilled to see the light at the end of the tunnel. He left her (and her 2 young kids) this summer. Where is her light at the end of this crappy tunnel?!"

We all have seen this happen. It could just as easily happen to one of us. If we haven't found joy in our journey it would kind of make the best years of our lives a waste.

Life happens when we are busy making other plans. - John Lennon