Don't worry, be happy!

Attended church and fixed dinner for Jamaican family who came to dinner in the evening. It turned out that the family coming to dinner offered to bring curry chicken and rice but couldn't fix it at last minute so we had to prepare it all and that made us late for church, however food was all ready when they arrived to eat. Bianca made sure she bought juice because apparently they prefer that than water so here is a good recipe for next time.

 Lemon Berry Melonade by Amy

Quench the summer heat with this refreshing spin on classic flavored lemonade:

Blend, chill and serve:

8 cups cubed and seeded watermelon (try it frozen)

1 cup strawberries, halved

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup white sugar

2 cups water or Sprite

 

Jamaicans are happy people, no doubt about it. One Aunt came with the rest of the family who is visiting New York for a few months and she giggle and giggle the whole time she was there. Teasing her nephew and just laughing so hard at times if was hilarious. I remember that song of don't worry, be happy and their motto found in every souvenir you buy of No problem. Jamaicans are so fun to be around because they are such happy people. There are a few talks that come to mind and a quote on the subject that comes to mind.

"In all of living, have much of fun and laughter.

Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."  –Gordon B. Hinckley

What an important reminder.  You would think it would be a no-brainer that life is meant to be enjoyed, but I think the reality is that it is not.  It is so easy to get sucked into the business of life and the stresses that surround us to the point that we go into endurance mode and we genuinely forget that the purpose of life is to enjoy it!

We slip into the mode of enduring each day and hoping that some day it will all get easier and better.  But it doesn’t get easier or better, because it isn’t our circumstances that are the problem, it is our own perspective and outlook that has become distorted.  We have become overly focused on everything that “is not” rather than everything that “is”. We have become overly focused on everything that we don’t have rather than everything that we have.  We have become overly focused on ourselves rather than others.  And when we allow that to happen our lives suddenly feel overwhelming and stressful and sad.

If we can step back and put things in the proper perspective, recognizing all the blessings in our lives, appreciating all our loved ones, and acknowledging all that is good in the world, suddenly our spirits are lifted and we are able to have much fun and laughter – and that is what life should be.

“This is our one and only chance at mortal life – here and now.  The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief.  Opportunities come, and then they are gone.  I believe that 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 nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do.  Instead find joy in the journey…NOW.”  

 – Thomas S. Monson