(This is my article for our September Relief Sociey Newsletter.)

As you read this, I want you to sit and think of a favorite person. Why do you like them so much? What characteristics do they have? Here are some I thought of: non-judgmental, funny, wise, efficient, sensitive, cheerful, kind, sincere…the list could go on, but I think this paints the picture. Characteristics like “grouchy” or “impatient” just don’t make the cut. We love people who are positive and focus on the good. But, optimism takes a lot more effort than complaints and fault-finding. Life is hard. There is not a single day that we come in contact with a perfect person. There is not a single day that we are perfect ourselves. Our bodies get sick. Traffic is bad. Our kids wear on our nerves (or even wear them out). Tragedies happen. Our lives may even be turned upside down. We struggle with depression, aging parents, or marital discord. Each one of us has hills to climb and, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Murmuring seems to come so naturally to the natural man.”

Lehi led his family out of Jerusalem. His oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, were full of anger and bitterness. They had gone from living in wealth and comfort to tents in the desert. They reacted to their circumstances by blaming their younger brother Nephi for their hunger, ridiculing their father for being “visionary,” and plotting to kill one or both of them. Nephi lived in the exact same circumstances—yet he saw visions, found food, and built a ship that carried his family to the promised land. He accomplished great things. Laman and Lemuel were left full of hatred and anger. What gave Nephi the power to do so much in such trying circumstances? He said, “I will go and do.” He focused on what could be done and he did it.

Can we be like Nephi? When asked to serve will we think of the reasons we can instead of the reasons we can’t? When faced with oceans to cross will we rely on the Lord to help us build a mighty ship to carry us through? The principles that bring power to our lives are all choices of attitude—faith, hope, and charity.

I’ve thought of 3 simple ways we can foster optimism in our lives: gratitude, service, and having a sense of humor. Let’s remember that we “are that we might have joy (2Nephi 2:25).” Remember we shouted for joy in the premortal councils before we came to earth. We said “Yahoo!” I get to go through some suffering and tribulation! Just remember what Christ said in John 16:33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He’s on our side—and the good guys always win.