Angels signify images raised in the mind to indicate the presence of God. Life holds a lot of surprises, does it not? People generally suffer becomes of the superior power of nature, the finite nature of our own bodies, and the inadequacy of the regulations which adjust the mutual relationships of human beings in the family, the state and society. In regard to the first two sources, our judgement cannot hesitate long. It forces us to acknowledge those sources of suffering and to submit to the inevitable. We shall never completely master nature; and our bodily organism, itself a part of that nature, will always remain a transient structure with a limited capacity for adaptation and achievement. This recognition does not have a paralyzing effect. On the contrary, it points the direction for our activity. If we cannot remove all suffering, we can remove some, and we can mitigate some: the experience of many thousands of years has convinced us of that. As regards the third source, the social source of suffering, our attitude is a different one. We do not admit it at all; we cannot see why the regulations made by ourselves should not, on the contrary, be a protection and a benefit for every one of us. And yet, when we consider how unsuccessful we have been in precisely this field of prevention of suffering, a suspicion dawns on us that here, too, a piece of unconquerable nature may life behind—this time a piece of our own physical constitution. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6

Youth is, in general, the perfect time to make personal plans. Each of us had our childhood dreams. As a young adult one should still have dreams for one’s future—each person! Perhaps it is the hope for a brand-new house, an athletic achievement, a new car, the creation of a band or musical group, or the acquisition of a diploma or professional position that one seeks to acquire through work and perseverance. Some people may even have a precious image in their minds of one’s future husband or wife, his or her physical appearance, his or her character traits, the colour of his or her eyes or hair, and the beautiful children that will bless one’s family. How many of your wishes will come true? Life is full of uncertainty. Surprises will occur all along life’s journey. When we start considering this possibility, we come upon a contention which is so astonishing that we must dwell upon it. This contention holds that what we call our civilization is largely responsible for our misery, and that we should be much happier if we gave it up and returned to primitive conditions. Life can be like a suspense novel whose plot is very difficult to predict. This contention is astonishing because, in whatever we may define the concept of civilization, it is a certain fact that all the things with which we seek to protect ourselves against are the threats that emanate from part of our very civilization. There will be key moment for us that may change the course of our lives in an instant. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6

However, there will also be new opportunities that will present themselves in our lives. Sometimes, courses change in our lives and present unexpected challenges or disappointments. Through experience we learn that we can only partially control the circumstances of our lives. Some people become neurotic because they cannot tolerate the amount of frustration which society imposes on them in the service of its cultural ideas, and it is inferred from this that the abolition or reduction of those demands will result in a return to possibilities of happiness. Most people dislike the unknown. The uncertainty of life creates in some a lack of confidence, a fear of the future that manifests itself in different ways. Some hesitate to make commitments out of fear of failure, even when good opportunities present themselves.  For example, people may delay marriage, education, starting a family, or establishing a stable professional activity. There is a different pat than ones of fear and doubt or self-indulgence—a path that bring peace, confidence, and serenity to our lives. That is a good thing  because what good to us is a life if it is difficult and barren of joys, and if it is so full of misery that we can only welcome death as a deliverer? #RandolphHarris 3 of 6

We are the architects of our happiness. It is not really the result of the circumstances of our lives. It is much more the result of our spiritual vision and the principles upon which we base our lives. These principles will bring us happiness regardless of the unexpected challenges and surprises we will inevitably face during our journeys here on Earth. Some people develop a composite picture that credits them with an impressive erudition, an extremely methodical mind, a collector’s interest in art, and the qualities of affability, discreet generosity, modesty, loyalty to friends, and a taste for virtuous simplicity. Of course there will be times of moodiness, petulance, and gruffness. However, these traits just provide a touch of humanity without essentially altering the picture of an individual a virtuous being. No one lives without making mistakes and incurring regrets, yet we all hope to be worthy of regard in the in. The notion or reciprocity, of being helped and then helping in return, appeals to our basic need for balance and order. Opportunities arise thereby for correcting antiquated misconceptions as well as for incurring new irritations. Former conflicts may flare up with enough force to propel our finally working them out. “Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserver my life according to your promise,” reports Psalm 119.153-154. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6

Extending leniency to others gives us faith that someone will do the same for us when we reach the point that we need assistance and spiritual reckoning.  Even fumbled efforts at helpfulness and reconciliation are significant for the hope they instill and the example they set. We will return through memory to events that had been previously unclear and re-greet them with the knowledge we have gained since these events transpired. Sometimes in people’s adolescent diaries and journals, individuals record how they are suffused with self-reproach after a parent passes into Heaven for the countless unkindnesses one did them, large and small, the torment that they feel can never be made good. Some people brood relentlessly as they look back at their mother or father’s last days, seeing in retrospect all that one could have done on their parent’s behalf and they carry a feeling of guilt that will always remain and that should teach one to become kinder to toward the living. Today, as I watched Jill carry a bee out of her house and place it on a flower, I thought to myself how kind that was. When I saw Justin take his son Leo to play golf, and Leo offered him the first turn, but just said, “No. Leo plays first,” I thought how kind that was. We are always able to see father looking back then we can in the crush of the present and each and every moment matters. I always see Leo performing ordinary actions, such as letting others be first, putting on his garden slippers, and how they mirror his father’s gestures exactly. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6

I have learned the most important thing in life is living. When people are gone, we can never talk to them again. Before that, we may not understand how serious their life is. We do not want to waste time and throw away chances to do things, thinking that we can get them done later. After we lose someone we love, we may not have any patience for chatter. Some individuals get up and leave when their friends start talking about nothing because they cannot get it out of their mind that one day it is all over. It is incomprehensible that one day a loved one can just disappear without us being able to fully enjoy them. We cannot rush these discoveries. They are the consequences of living, not thinking. We can hasten to ask questions of surviving relatives, piecing together blurry aspects of the past, but truth forgiveness and growth arise with the passage of time and the infusion of new experiences. Even the most painful losses will free and strengthened us. We may have to give up nostalgia and guilt to see this. Acceptance keeps us waiting, and then comes all at once. It is exuberant and generous, not dull and sluggish like a loss. Of all the emotions left behind by bereavement, guilt display are the most persistent. Often the only liberation is to admit out loud the wrongs we think we committed, testing them against another person’s experience. “All that God requires you to keep his commandments,” Mosiah 2.22. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6