“She shaped her own world exactly to her liking when nobody was looking.”
– Author Unknown
A profound truth hit me when my oldest baby girl was just a few months old. We had just moved into a cute little rental house, we didn’t have a lot of anything at the time, but happiness and contentment seemed to fill every room.
After a whirlwind romance, and an unexpected pregnancy, life had moved quickly for me in the last year and a half. In fact, right before I met Mr. Miller, I was walking out of the darkest 4-year season of my life.
The light my life radiated now was a blinding contrast from that of the season I had recently left behind. Only a couple of good choices had landed me here. To take a chance on love, to say YES, to jump in with both feet into something that felt to be right in my heart. On that one afternoon, as I swayed my baby to sleep in my kitchen, I realized that life truly can be whatever you make of it.
From that day on, I have delved deep into the details of my life, filling them with things that make me happy. I learned that following spiritual promptings is always a good idea, no matter how wild they may seem. I learned that any amount of beauty can fill up a space, and make my heart happier. I learned that a shortage of money only meant an abundance of creativity – and that often where you find simplicity, there too you will find happiness. There was simply no excuse to not create a happy life. And that’s exactly what I planned -and still plan- to do.
If I could share the one secret to a happy life, it would be this. I’m so thankful that the Lord brought this knowledge to my life, and that I have a partner who trusts the inspiration I receive for our home and family.
Mr. Miller said to me recently as we drove home from our weekend trip to our trailer on the mountain, “Most of the inspiration for our family comes to you, I’m just here to help make your vision come to life.” and my heart filled right to the tippy top – because I know that the Lord is guiding us, and me as a mother to this family. He knows my deepest desire to create a good, happy, beautiful life for my family and He is so faithful. Always there helping guide me. As the years tick by, we are doing just what we set out to do. Our life doesn’t come without the stresses and obligations everyone’s life has – but we chase after that light, we chase after the things that will make us happy – big or small. We have come to learn the things that bring forth the fruit of a good life, and we go for those things.
“We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” – LDS Article of Faith 13 (my favorite AOF)