Happiness in Family Life

 

John Groberg once said: “You can never get enough of what you don’t need, because what you do not need will never satisfy you”.

There is so much confusion about what brings people happiness. People are searching for happiness, and they are unsure where to find it. Though people’s intentions are good, they aren’t seeking for happiness in the place. So, what does bring people lasting happiness? I believe that happiness can often be found right in front of us. Even during our hardest and most trying times in life, there are always going to be things we can be thankful for. As mentioned in my previous blog, “The family is the fundamental unit of society”. Now, I do not want to disregard the hard relationships and family struggles that some people are going through. Recognizing that some people are dealing with very hard and complicated family situations, I would like to be able to share how each family unit can be strengthened, or how each individual can strengthen their family. According to “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” from the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities”. The most important and fulfilling work we will do here on the Earth is strengthening and building the family. Have you ever met, or can you imagine someone mentioning to you at the end of their life, “I wish I had spent more time with my family”? I certainly can imagine that happening.

In the fall of 2020, my grandparents and my parents took a vacation together while I was away at school. The time that my parents and grandparents spent together was very cherished. In fact, the time they had spent together was even more valuable than they had anticipated. A few short months later, on my father’s birthday, his parents were on the phone with him, wishing him a happy birthday. My grandmother’s last words before they got off the phone were: “Son, you are our pride and joy”. Just two days later, my grandparents got in a tragic car accident, and it killed them both. My father told me the story of my grandmother’s last words to him shortly after their passing.

We long for a strong family relationship. It’s no question that families are important to our survival, but they are so much more than that. They are the most important fundamental unit of society. No other unit of society should compare in importance. Why is this the case? It is because when we want something, we are focusing inwardly on ourselves. At the beginning of my blog, I quoted John Groberg who said: “You can never get enough of what you don’t need, because what you do not need will never satisfy you”. When we focus outward and help support the needs of our families, then we will find true happiness and satisfaction. Would it make sense to hear anyone say: “I wish I had made more money for myself”, or “I wish I had taken more time for myself”? Hearing those things wouldn’t make sense, because we understand that true happiness comes from focusing on others.

And yet, people are still trying to find happiness in other ways. And, despite what other people might try and claim, lasting happiness doesn’t come from how much money you make, or how many cruise lines you go on, or how big your house is. Happiness comes from something much more lasting and far more important.

If you have any comments or insights, I would love to hear them below. What insights do you have on the importance of your family? How has your family supported you through your trials? How can you help support your family?

Thank you again for following my blog!