Happily Ever After Pt. 2

By Claire Enos

A few months back I discovered a song by He Is We called "Happily Ever After". It appealed to me because it explained exactly how I felt and the music video was so relatable. I listened to it several dozen times in a row over multiple days. It was the only song that spoke to me. I wished I could fast forward time to the day I married, and that I could see myself happily married to a worthy priesthood holder. But, of course, there's no way to do that, so I settled with being depressed and unmotivated. I was going nowhere. I'd hit a dead end.

Eventually I learned to be happy where I am, after making a change and moving to a place that never failed to cheer me up, no matter how much went wrong. It took me a while, but eventually I got into a good rhythm and learned to love myself and others.

One thing I credit with helping me pull through is my love of books. I started reading more. A month ago as I was reading, I impatiently read ahead to the last few pages. The book I was reading was the second boom of a series I was enjoying. I was hoping things would turn out better for the main character, but alas that wasn't to be. You see, it was a cliff hanger, and not a happy one. I suddenly had no desire to read on, because I knew what was going to happen, and I didn't like it. It didn't matter that there was more, or that in the end I'd probably be satisfied with how things turned out, I had absolutely no motivation to continue with the series. 

And again, a few days ago, I did exactly the same thing with the book I am currently reading, the third book in the series. I have since felt no desire to finish reading the book, even though I love the book. 

So, what does this have to do with that song? Well, it was a few minutes ago that I realized why it was so important to live in the moment and not dwell on the past or the future: because we are alive in this moment, and because while we are dwelling on other things we miss the best stuff right now. And because we never know what might change our minds between now and the future. 

I can only imagine what would happen if I looked into my future and saw that I was marrying someone I couldn't see myself ending up with in a million years. But, so much can happen in such a short time. A couple years ago I wouldn't have imagined being happy right where I am right now, but I am.

So, live in the present. Be right here in this moment. Because you'll never get it back, and because every single moment you are changing for better or worse. Accept it, change is good!

<3Claire