Don't Worry, Be Happy

The other day at work, I had a lot on my mind. I was worrying about school starting soon, frustrations, relationships, and everything I had to do. I was thinking of things I wanted to change in my life, and how I could do so. And on top of it all, we changed schedules, starting an hour earlier (=less sleep).
One of the ladies I work with, mentioned to me, "You don't look very happy today."
Ouch.
I have always heard that from our facial expressions people can see the mood we are in, but it became real to me once someone actually said it. People normally tell me that I'm always happy and smiling... I had never really considered if someone said otherwise...

I remembered a scripture I found once in my mission. Doctrine and Covenants 136:28-29

If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. 

If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful. 

God wants us to be happy. If we are happy, we should show him! We have SO much to be happy about. And if we aren't... he tells us we can ask him, and he will help us be happy. I realized that I was worrying about way too much, most of which I had no control over... so why worry??

Like it says in 2 Nephi 2:25,

...men are that they might have joy

We exist, so that we can have joy. It is one of our purposes in life. God is a Celestial being, which we are striving to become, to participate in pure and everlasting happiness. Why not practice and enjoy what we have now, so we can show him gratitude for what we have? If we delight in what we have now, imagine the joy we will have in the life to come!

I used to be happy all the time. I enjoyed laughing, smiling, playing, enjoying, etc. I was positive and optimistic. But, somehow, I managed to let some of that go, and give in to my doubts and worries.

I decided in that moment, I would hide all my own worries and fears, and just be happy. Happiness brings light, and light shines brighter than fear and darkness. I could better uplift those around me, and in result, become uplifted myself. Even if there was something I worried about, I would hide my negativity with a smile. This is hard on my own, but I know God is there to help me. He wants us to be happy. Only through him, we can truly BE happy.

I challenge you to do the same. Leave the worries behind, trust in the Lord, and be happy. Ask Him for help, He WILL help. Seek the positive. Enjoy life. Be grateful. Leave the things that are competing for your attention, that are keeping you from true happiness. And last, don't forget to smile. :)