Tag Archive for: Happiness

Pruning

Since returning home four weeks ago, Monic has spent quite a bit of time in the garden.
She loves it!
It is actually hard to keep her out of the garden!
She is always up for tackling whatever job there is at hand.
If I can’t find her in the house, then I know exactly where to find her!
Yesterday afternoon, it was the turn of the holly tree.
I had to help hold the ladder whilst she tackled the huge tree that had grown so much over the last three years.
Looking carefully, Monic identified what needed to be pruned.
I watched her lopping off some big branches and felt a little sorry for the tree, as it looked a bit painful.
Ouch!
Pruning changes the whole shape and future of the tree.

Is it your turn?

You know, we’re also a little like trees.
From time to time, we need may some pruning too, so that we can grow as God intended.
Its either to remove dead branches or in this case where there has been so much growth, you and I need to be pruned, shaped or moulded.
It can happen at different times and in different areas throughout our lives.

In the scriptures…

In John 15:2 Jesus Christ explains that “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
Sometimes I even ask myself, if I need to have some dead branches that need lopping off, those that may be hindering my own relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Even though it can be painful and a little uncomfortable, the best thing you can do is let the Master Gardner, do His pruning.
He has great plans for your life.
Its only after those sometimes-painful experiences that you will truly see the fruits of the labours.
After Monic was finished pruning, the holly tree was nearly where it needed to be. In her words its “90%. It’s a lot better.”
Why not look up Hugh B. Brown’s masterful talk from 1968 “God is the Gardner”.
Sometimes His pruning is a little painful.
But ultimately, if we trust His plan, we will most definitely bloom.
How is the Lord pruning you?

Fleeting Visit

Yesterday, I had the briefest of opportunities to meet up with one of our returned missionaries Libby Wilcox, whilst she was visiting in Scotland for a couple of days with her mum and sisters.
It was the first of what I’m sure will be many visits from our missionaries who we served with in Belgium and the Netherlands.
We kept our visit simple. We only had 2 hours!
It was great fun to reminisce.
Visiting the Wallace Monument in Stirling and chatting over lunch, was special.

Life

We shared a few life updates.
Sharing feelings about our stories together was memorable.
But just being able to be close and hold tightly to those who matter most, was best of all.
Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat.
It really helps to slow things down.
Simplify things.
Enjoy the moment.
Take one step, one piece, one chunk, one bite at a time.
And remember, loving one another is so supremely important.
“𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈” – something that happens really fast, or something that doesn’t last as long as you’d like.
Hans Christian Andersen, a great story writer, said this: “Time is so fleeting that if we do not remember God in our youth, age may find us incapable of thinking of him.”
And in the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Alma said: “… learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. ” Alma: 37:35.
Working with 300+ youthful (18 – 26 year old) missionaries has taught me that we have to be present and always enjoy the moments we have together, as life is fleeting.
In hindsight, I can so relate to Jacob 7:26 “…the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream…”
Jacob describes the fleeting moments and hours of our life so well.
Moments simply blend into hours, hours into days, days into years, years into decades.
Being with Libby yesterday, was real, I know it wasn’t a dream.
How can you slow down those fleeting moments today?

Joyful Reunions

Time insisted that we finally move on.
Arriving home on Friday, we laughed, hugged and shared one or two tears at Edinburgh airport with our children.
Cherished moments never to be forgotten.
Life has taught us that you can’t hug family and friends over the internet.
Heading to the car park, we bumped into the outgoing mission leaders in the Scotland/Ireland Mission, James and Andrea McCrudden, who commenced their service at the same time as us in June of 2021.
Then another fortunate coincidence, as a dear consulting friend, just back from an assignment in India, walked up to me… “Daryl! – that can’t be three years!”, “Gordon! – it certainly was!” I replied.

Heavenly

All of these special moments were heavenly.
It was a day of celebration of shared experiences and the rekindling of our family bond and connection.
And no reunion is complete without a hearty spread of food (haggis nacho’s) and the resonance of genuine laughter together.
Heavenly reunions are filled with love and deep appreciation for family and friends.
Catching up with mum was fun!
The key ingredient of happiness is family.

Reunions

After so many tearful farewells over the last three years, I long for many more of these happy reunions in the years ahead.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy.
Coming to understand our Heavenly Father’s “great plan of happiness” – Alma 42:8, you will find many of life’s questions are answered in the gospel of Christ.
The Apostle John said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” – John 3:17.
Life is a journey woven with threads of connections, some fleeting and others enduring.
I am thrilled that over these last three years we have woven many remarkable connections that will endure forever, weaving our past, present, and future into a tapestry of lasting happiness.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”
I know that as we seek to be happy in life, we should remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pens to the ready

What questions do you have for God?
– God – do you really exist?
– If you do, how can I feel closer to you?
– How can I learn truth in today’s confusing world?
– How can religion help me?
– Why are there so many churches?
– Why do I have so many challenges?
– How can the gospel help me overcome the challenges I face?
– How can I find peace in times of turmoil?
– How can I be happier?
– What am I doing that I need to stop doing?
– What am I not doing that I need to start doing?
– What is the purpose of life?
– How can I feel God’s peace and forgiveness, after I’ve made bad choices?
I know that the Lord Jesus Christ knows each of us personally.
And He wants to help you personally!
Consider these questions and all of your own ones too, then speak with a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ today.
You know them!
One of the thousands of missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
They’re the ones with the big smiles and nametags!
Don’t forget your pen and paper, they’ll have lots of answers to share!

Relentless

Its been a great week in the Belgium Netherlands Mission.
On Monday we held our last Mission Leadership Council (MLC) at the Mission Home in Leidschendam. There was lots of counselling together and discussions on our plans for our final full transfer, including setting some stretching goals for the mission!
On Wednesday we held our last Orientation meeting with our new arrivals in Gouda, followed by a Temple trip in Zoetermeer.
Then, on Thursday and Friday we were in Apeldoorn to complete our final coaching interviews with all of the missionaries in the Apeldoorn Zone. For some of our missionaries it was not only their first, but also (sadly) last interview with us, as we prepare for our own departure in a few weeks time.
Life as mission leaders may be unceasingly intense, but it is also a real joy and delight to work with some of the most incredible young people on planet earth! 😍

Back 2 Basics

Yesterday in our mission leadership council, we met together with one simple message, it was time to get “𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝟐 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬”.
Sometimes it can appear to be a little overwhelming to serve as a missionary, especially as we look all at once, of all that is expected of us to do.
Perhaps it is the same in life for you too?
Is it time to give your attention to the simplest and most important matters, that you may well have ignored for a while?
As we counselled together yesterday, when we get back to the basics, we discovered within ourselves an enhanced capacity to cope with our busy, complex world.
And what are those basics?
Well, they are all found in Preach My Gospel and the Book of Mormon.
Why not speak with one of our missionaries today, they’ll be more than happy to share some of the basic principles that will bring you real joy in your life.

Shared Purpose

Purpose is good.
The pursuit of purpose is better.
𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 is best.
Meaning, everyone is aligned to the same mission.
They are a part of something.
They belong.
They have a collective responsibility.
They influence.
They radiate positive energy.
They engage.
They boldly go and do.
There is drive.
There is alignment.
And a collective sense of belonging.
It’s a connective force that pulls a mission together.
It touches us and moves us into action.
It creates a sense of excitement.
It’s compelling.
It drives collaboration.
It’s about living it – together!
It is the glue that strengthens our mission.
It is the common thread woven amongst each of them.
Our 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 is grand, prodigious, and vast!
It’s life changing…
“Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end”.
This is the 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 of every missionary serving around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We live by it.
We invite all to understand the purpose of life.
Come join with us.

An example of the Believers…

There is never a typical week in missionary work.
And there is also never a dull moment as they Preach the Gospel.
This week was busy, very busy, as more people than ever responded to their message of hope.
From singing in choirs, playing violins, serving cookies, street contacting, knocking doors, reaching out on social media, serving in the community, teaching Dutch or English classes, biking everywhere and occasionally a flying kick, missionaries serve and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ through their actions and service.
They are called to represent Jesus Christ.
Day in, day out, missionaries work tirelessly in their efforts to “Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”
The message of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ blesses individuals and families.
Their message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that all individuals are part of God’s family and that families can be united now and in eternity.
We believe that “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.” – The Family A Proclamation to the World.

Joy in Action

Missionaries are to go “in the power of the ordination wherewith [they have] been ordained, proclaiming glad tidings of great joy, even the everlasting gospel” (Doctrine & Covenants 79:1)
And as the Lord’s representatives, they are to be “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12).
They honour Christ’s name by their actions.
During His mortal ministry, the Saviour “took upon him the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). He went about “doing good” (Acts 10:38) and “preaching the gospel” (Matthew 4:23).
Through their service, they fulfil the two great commandments of loving God and their neighbour (see Matthew 22:36–40).
“True Christianity is love in action. There is no better way to manifest love for God than to show an unselfish love for your fellow men. This is the spirit of missionary work” (Gospel Ideals p129).
If you’d like to know more about why they are so happy, I suggest you stop and speak with one of them today.

In a dark place?

Sometimes, we can find ourselves in some dark places in our life.
It can be debilitating.
It’s been my experience, that everyone has low mood days.
And I mean everyone.
When they come (and they will), what can you do about it?
There has been lots written in recent years about positive thinking, mindset, mindfulness, sleeping patterns etc.
Personally, for years, I have maintained a daily habit of journaling.
Unquestionably, it has helped to maintain my mental well-being.
However, one of the most frequently recommended practices by psychologists, counsellors and coaches to help those with dark moods, anxiety or stress, is to keep a 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥.
What is a gratitude journal anyway?
Simply, a gratitude journal helps you appreciate life more.
Its easy to begin.
Find a small notebook, some quiet “me” time to reflect, maybe 15 minutes at the end of the day and write down three things that you are grateful for.
Let the gratitude flow…
Here are some ideas to get you started…
• Someone you’re happy to have in your life.
• Your favourite part of the day
• Someone who gave you good advice.
• Good news or something that made you smile.
• Something beautiful you saw today.
• Someone who inspired you.
• Something you love about your work.
The outcomes?
It’ll reduce stress, lower anxiety, release tension, provides clarity, it’ll make you happier and will help you gain a better understanding of yourself.
The more practice you get, the easier it becomes, and you’ll more easily feel the sensations that come into your thoughts as you focus on gratitude.
Go on, give it a go, and start today.

4 Ingredients for Success

As a child, I enjoyed baking scones, cakes and biscuits under the watchful eye of my mother.
It was fun, and a great way to spend Saturday afternoons together.
Licking the wooden spoon at the end of the baking was always the best part!
As I grew older, I recognised that in order to bake a delicious banana loaf, the best way to ensure great results was to follow a good recipe with exactness.
Over many years, my banana loaf has now become somewhat of a Daryl Watson classic in our family!
The result, a happy family, especially my wife, with her gluten free version – (that is a fine art in itself!)
Following a simple recipe, oftentimes leads to great success.
And so, it is in our home, family and business life.
For me, there are 4 simple ingredients to ensure happiness throughout our journey in life.
1. Do something you love – Just like baking banana loaf, I love coaching!
2. Find your purpose – Why are you here? Determine that & follow it!
3. Serve Others – That will help you find joy in your journey.
4. Act – Do not be acted upon – take ownership of your own journey.
Mix them all together and the result will be scrumptious.
Enjoy!
What is included in your simple recipe for success?