The bright side.

January is a pretty dreary time in Logan, and it's easy to get caught up in this dirty inversion. 

How exactly do you look past the winter fog and remember the bright side? 

One of the greatest lessons I ever learned was in a talk from the October 2012 General Conference. 

President Uchtdorf gave an incredible talk (as usual) entitled, "Of Regrets and Resolutions" and parts of it echo pretty constantly through my head. 

Part of his talk focused on how we need to let ourselves be happier and not dwell on the problems we may have. 

"Brothers and sisters, no matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it." 

I'm not perfect, and my life isn't all sunshine and rainbows--but I've learned that if I can take a deep breath and focus on those rainbows rather than the storm clouds, my life seems to become more and more perfect before my eyes. 

Take today for example. 

I woke up at 8:50 for my 9:00 class and literally ran to class in shorts, a hoodie, and tennis shoes with my hair still in the braid I'd slept in. I was flustered, panicked, and not the happiest camper from the second I rolled out of bed. 

I got out of class, came home and got ready before heading to the rest of my classes today--and the day just felt pretty blah. You all know that feeling, right? 

Then I got in the car with Lynette and pulled a random piece of paper out of my console wondering what in the heck it could be. 

That cute boyfriend of mine had snuck a simple note in there to surprise me and suddenly my day had gone from "blah" to "awww" in a matter of seconds. 

I'm telling you, it's the little things. 

My grandma loved the concept of tender mercies; the idea that our Heavenly Father gives us these little reminders that He is there and that life isn't all that bad. I think that's what President Uchtdorf is talking about here. 

Life can be really rough sometimes. You're going to have bad days, you're going to disappoint people you care about, and people you love are going to hurt you. But if you can find even one good thing in every day, your whole outlook on life can be improved. 

If I've learned anything lately, it's that life isn't always going to go according to plan...but sometimes the things you don't plan are the best things to happen to you in a really long time. 

"Let us resolve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances."

There are just so many wonderfully beautiful reasons to be happy, and it's not worth taking them all for granted. 

It's cheesy, but it's true. Life is just better when you're happy, and your attitude is half the battle.