We all struggle with forward motion

I apologize for missing yesterday, though I'm not sure if this blog is being read. If not, then I apologize merely for my own peace of mind.

Yesterday I struggled with keeping my optimism up. The trials were fierce, and depressing and often frustrating forces won many battles over me. Luckily, the war isn't over. The only relief I felt was when I was finally able to collapse into the arms of those with similar values. I love my group of friends.

Today was leagues beyond yesterday, and tomorrow will be better still. I had the opportunity to clean the Chapel today, and I created an even better opportunity and cleaned most of it by myself. I was able to walk the halls in solitude, pondering the various questions in my heart and feel the Spirit that place holds. Some questions were answered, while some require more effort.

I have noticed lately that I genuinely like who I am. Well, no. I like who I'm becoming. There are still parts of me that require work, obviously. There always will be. But when I take a good look at myself, I don't hate what I see. I often discover the good points first before noticing the parts that are less desirable. I have come to know that my life has tremendous potential because of the trials I have had in my earlier years, and the trials I have yet to face. Though I in nowise compare myself to him, I can relate to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he said, "It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his Kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?" (Joseph Smith History 1:20) 


Unfortunately, life is indeed a battlefield. I know where I stand. Do you?