Treasure Every Moment

    "Treasure Every Moment". It doesn't matter if it's a good or a bad moment, just treasure it. Why the bad moments do you ask? Well, this may be my weird way of looking at things, or maybe I'm just plain crazy, but think about it, the bad moments are what builds or defines us. HOW do they define us? Well, take my situation of losing all our things in Auction. It was a really bad situation, and rather than moping and being depressed all the time, I took that moment, and turned it into a POSITIVE. I let a LOT of my things go that were donated to Deseret Industries, kept telling myself that they're just things, they can be replaced and have tried to move on. I am seeking justice, possibly facing a law suit, but not out of revenge. I want to stop this guy from doing this to anyone else. I admit, it would be nice to get some sort of money for my things, but my main goal is to make the public aware of what kind of business this guy runs and maybe stop him from doing this to others. I was given a chance to take the things that were mine, out of Deseret Industries, but though grateful, told the management that it can go to others who need them more than I do. The road isn't over yet, and though it's hard, I try to keep positive but I do. With how my year is starting out, it's enough to make people throw their hands up in the air, shout "I give up" and just be negative all the time. Though it's been tempting, I look to the little things in life and find a smile each day. It's truly amazing how even the littlest things can change your mood in a second.
   "Treasure Every Moment". Since I was put in the Library at church, I've basically become a social recluse or outcast. Nobody talks to me, I feel like I'm totally avoided, and when I try to spark conversation with anyone, it doesn't last long. Sunday, as I was in there organizing things, Brother Mardis stopped in and asked how I was doing. We talked for a little bit and it was one of the best moments I've had thus far. Nobody comes in to see me unless they need something. On occasion, the few friends I have there will stop in and say hi because they know that I feel like I'm in a "hole" when I'm in the library, so to have my Home Teacher come in and talk with me, it felt great. That's a moment I'll definitely cherish. I cherish the first time I laid eyes on Mason. He was this fluffy little thing squished into a small kennel with his 2 siblings. At first I wasn't interested in him, but as we watched all 3 of them in the little "Adoption Room" he caught my eye. While his siblings were fighting for our attention, he cowered under the chair, and when my eyes met his, he peed on the floor. It was an instant connection, this shy little ball of fluff wanting nothing more than somebody to love him. It was truly love at first sight and a moment I've treasured. I also treasure the day I had to say goodbye to him forever. It was the worst day of the year for me, and for him I'm sure. As I held him, waiting for the Doc to come in and end his pain, I looked him in the eyes, and he looked back into mine, thanking me for taking a chance on a shy little puppy so many years ago. That one moment, when our eyes met, that moment, is a moment I have treasured. That was the one moment when our souls basically reached out to each other, where we were able to talk to each other, understand each other, and know how much we loved each other.
   "Treasure Every Moment" to me, is a very powerful phrase. Good or bad, every moment is a moment that can define you. I have no regrets, been hurt too many times in my life to count and will likely be hurt many times to come, but how we handle what's thrown at us,  THAT's  what defines us. "Treasure Every Moment" because the next one may just be your last.