Faith is The Antidote of Fear

Be Joyful

Russell M. Nelson said, "Faith is the antidote of fear." I believe this to be true, even if in trials it is hard. I've come to learn a lot about faith this last year. I never knew how little I knew about faith though I had a lot to learn. Faith is a hard thing, especially in the midst of a trial. It goes hand in hand with hope though faith will get you further (at least that's what I've come to believe). Another thing I believe goes hand in hand with faith, is to be joyful. It is far easier to have faith if you are joyful, and vice versa.

Life is tough, I think we all know that, and there should be nothing stopping us from having a good time and enjoying every moment of this glorious life we are living. It is truly a blessing. If you can't find things to enjoy about life, here are a few:

• look all around you, the beauty of the earth is surrounding you. How beautiful are those rigid rocks in a snowy mountain. The rain that cleanses, and improves everything it touches. The light that shines through the leaves of a tree.
• your family. You chose them, for better or worse, your'e stuck with them. So be grateful for them, they're here to help you enjoy life.
• Friends. While they aren't necessarily you're immediate family, they are in many ways similar. They help you enjoy this life you're living, and they lighten the mood of many things. They help you to not take things too seriously.
• You are you're own unique self. Be grateful for that. If there's anything I've learned about being a twin, is while I love her to death. I am grateful we are fraternal twins. We each feel like we can truly be ourselves when we don't look exactly the same. It is truly a blessing that we each have our own quirks and tricks.

Don't take life too seriously, have some fun. Lifes too short to feel stressed and depressed.
Mercedes