Not Being Happy

During Family Home Evening one Monday night, Mr. Brown Eyes gave a lesson about talents. We talked about all the things we're good at.

For Brown-Eyed Boy, the answers were "playing, building with blocks, and riding his tricycle." Baby Blue Eyes was told she's good at making silly faces and dancing. Mr. Brown Eyes is good at fixing things and making us laugh.

When asked what Mommy's talents were, Brown-Eyed Boy said, "Not being happy."

Um, what?

Mr. Brown Eyes told me just to laugh it off, that it was just a four year-old spouting words the way four year-olds do.

And I did laugh it off, but I haven't been able to forget about it. Because, in a way, he's right.

I am an expert at seeing the worst in myself. In rushing through fun because I can't get my eyes off the next thing I need to get done. In taking myself so seriously that I forget to laugh.

I need my goofy children--who stand on their heads, and pull their arms inside their shirts, and bust up over words like "booger" and "poop," just because it's silly--to remind me that life is meant to be enjoyed.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said it well in this talk that I love. "The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable."

I am trying.

Not a Gloomy Mama,
The Brown-Eyed Girl