"THERE IS SUNSHINE IN MY SOUL"
Vickey Pahnke <[email protected]>, CES speaker, songwriter, producer

On good days, when everything seems to be going our way, it is easy to be of good cheer.  What about those times when the clouds cover, the fears creep in, or the doubts hover? When it is raining on our parade and we don't even have an umbrella?  On those difficult days, how may we find the sunshine in our souls?

"Men are that they might have joy" (2 Ne.2:25).  Joy is based on eternal
happiness rather than temporary pleasure.  Joy allows us to get through
the present difficulties, and look for the sun to start peeking out from
behind the present clouds of trouble.  Thomas Edison provides a great
example of finding the sunshine.  In 1914, at the age of 67, his
manufacturing plant was greatly damaged by fire.  He lost almost all of
his equipment, amounting to almost one million dollars worth.  (Imagine
how much money that seemed in 1914!)  Even more important, he lost most of the records of his life's work, details of so many thought processes.
Mr. Edison's upbeat comment was, "There is value in disaster.  All our
mistakes are burned up.  Now we can start anew."  What a sunny
disposition he had-even as he walked through the cinders of the plant
where he hoped and planned so many great things!  The great lesson in Mr. Edison's example is that he didn't go down for the count. He didn't allow those clouds of doom to overcome his cheerful attitude.  He saw a setback but not a failure. He saw a rain cloud but not a storm front.

There are many things we can do to move more cheerfully through life, all of which are principles and practices the Lord freely offers us.  I would like to mention only two.  They are simple.  They are not intimidating. They have helped me when the rains came down and/or the floods came up.

First, think positive.  You might want to try this simple experiment:
Just for one day, vow to think only positive thoughts about yourself and
others. If inadequacies or criticisms creep in, chase them away.  Smile
at people and say something cheerful.  It might almost hurt to push those
positive words out of your mouth, but do it!  You'll feel better about
everyone around you-and about yourself.  That will help lift the gloom
and soon you will feel the sunshine filling those darker places in your
disposition.  This seems harder to do on days when we feel discouraged or moments when we may be put out.  But it is possible and it does work to lighten the mood!

Second, fortify with faith.  It may allow us to look for the good during
what could seem a time of great adversity.  I have a friend I will call
Janet.  I met her when she was serving as a missionary in Virginia.  She
was a great example to many, with a love for the Savior and a sunny
disposition.  Her dream was to complete her mission with honor, find her
"perfect" man, be married in the temple, and be a mother.  Knowing her, I thought Janet would be the best Mom ever.

I learned a few months after she returned home that she had met a
wonderful young man and planned to marry.  Several months after the
marriage, Janet wrote that she was expecting a baby.  I don't supposed
there has ever been a more excited expectant mother!  At the time of
delivery, there was commotion and anticipation in the room.  (There is
great joy and a high level of excitement that accompanies the arrival of
a new little one!)  But the usual noise and excitement was noticeably
absent when Janet's baby was born.  The doctor gently handed Janet her newborn and announced that there appeared to be some real problems.  It was obvious that this new little one would have physical and mental challenges.

Those in the delivery room hurt for Janet and her husband. They were
heart broken for this new mother and father, and the responsibility they
would carry.  But they underestimated Janet's capacity for courage and
faith.  As she tenderly held her newborn, Janet whispered reverently,
"Oh, Heavenly Father sent me a perfect one... He sent me a perfect one!"

What a lesson was taught in that delivery room.  Janet is a wonderful
example of how to look upon life's seeming adversities with faith.
Mortal view can be shortsighted and clouded.  Fears and doubts may
invade.  A faithful eternal perspective may allow us to see the beauty
and blessing in seemingly hard things.  What some may have sensed would be a burden has been a joyful experience for this precious mother and father.  Janet is a wonderful mother, by the way, and her little one has brought their little family much joy.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave this solid counsel in a New Ear article
(September 1979, p. 42), "Be cheerful in all you do.  Live joyfully.
Live happily.  Live enthusiastically, knowing that God does not dwell in
gloom and melancholy, but in light and love."  Through our good times and not-so-good ones, fortifying with faith and placing emphasis on the
positive will allow us to live more joyfully, more fully enjoying the
sunshine that can fill our souls.