WE are the HERO of our Story!

One of the most profound statements I have heard on my mission, came out of the mouth of a sweet 9 year old girl.  We were driving with this little girl and her mother, and this child was telling us her dreams and goals in life.  She told us that she was going to write a book someday and that the opening line to her book was going to be, "Once upon a time, I had a story to tell, and it was all mine own!"


The introduction to her book, just struck me with such power.  We all have a story to tell.  Each one of us will live our lives and each story is going to be different.  I remember thinking this little girl is so wise.   At that moment, I sat pondering in the car about my story and my life.  I sat there pondering and knowing in my heart that I am a child of God, and in my the story of my life, I am the HERO! 

American poet and writer, Carol Lynn Pearson said,“Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.” 

 In my life, I am the one who gets to make choices and turn things around.  Everything about my story can be changed based on how I choose to live my life and react to the situations I find myself in.  I think Eleanor Roosevelt said it best about how we become the hero in our story, "We do not have to become heroes over night. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down."

Throughout life, my story will continue and each day I will come to understand more and more that I am a Child of God, and that the decisions I make will either lead me closer to my Father in Heaven or further away.  But I will always remember, that as I make the right choices I become the hero in my story.  And the best part about my story and potentially every one's story is we can be with our Heavenly Father again and live "Happily Ever After." 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk to the young women of the church in April 2010 about how trials are a part of reaching our "Happily Ever After."  I love this talk and know that as we strive to keep the Lord's commandment and follow the example of the Savior we will find eternal happiness.  Just like the prophet Nephi and his family, we too can "live after the manner of happiness" (2 Nephi 5:27)

"Happily Ever After"- President Uchtdorf