Just Keep Swimming!

Many of us are familiar with the Disney movie Finding Nemo. It's one of my favorites. Nemo, a young clown fish, gets taken and his father Marlin goes on an adventure to find him. As he ventures out he meets another fish named Dory. Dory suffers from a very bad case of short term memory loss and an extremely upbeat and positive attitude. Oh, she can also read. The only hint that the dynamic duo have to find Nemo is a green snorkeling mask that on it, Dory reads (and remembers) "P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney." But tragically, they loose the mask. As they venture down to the deep and dark abyss of the ocean, Dory continually sings "Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming! Swimming swimming swimming swimming!"

Now... While this is an annoying little song, Dory has a point. When we are going into the dark abyss, it's better to just keep swimming. Why wouldn't we just give up? Because really... We can't. When we are going through trials, DUH! It's going to happen! We need to just accept that life isn't going to be easy. We will all have hard times. All that matters isn't WHAT happens but what we MAKE with what is happening.

It is our choice to see the glass half full or half empty. What are you going to choose? Do you want to sit around and wallow in self pity because your life is awful or do you want to say, hey, I can do this! It isn't that bad after all!

The big question is HOW do we keep swimming through our dark abyss? Well... It starts with knowing we are not alone.  Just like Marlin found Dory to join and help him is his quest to get Nemo back, we have our Savior, Jesus Christ, to help us. We CAN do this when we rely on Him.

Another thing... We must choose to be happy! We must choose this. In the Book of Mormon, in 2nd Nephi Chapter 2 Verse 27, it reads, "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and call things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he
seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

Are we going to let the Devil win? I know I don't want to. I want to be happy and find peace in Christ. So I'm going to choose to be happy and not get discouraged. Discouragement weakens faith. Simple as that. It is okay to be disappointed with an outcome. Do you think that Marlin was disappointed that they lost the mask? Of course. But did he get discouraged? Dory didn't let him. Just like Christ won't let us if we have Him on our side in the journey. Discouragement weakens faith. Weakened faith gives Satan more to work with. Let's not do that, okay?

If you are having a hard time with choosing happiness and don't want to keep going. Don't give up! Keep your head held high. Yes, we may have to fight off our sharks and battle a jellyfish forest and deal with a whole lot of crazy, but just keep going. With Christ, we can do all things. Be grateful for everything you do have and don't dwell on the sad. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the last General Conference said, "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." Take this council. And remember, doubt and fear come from the being who wants us to miserable just like him. Faith and comfort come from a loving Father in Heaven.

I know that this is possible. It takes effort. It takes work. It takes patience with others and ourselves. Seems like a lot to ask, but it will be worth it. I promise you all! It will be worth it!