Love Notes from a Friend

The following is a note that my really good friend, Jillian Durrant, posted on Facebook. I liked it so much that I just had to share it with the 3 of you who read my blog. Enjoy!

I have so much to be grateful for. Granted, things in my life aren't perfect but the good definitely outweighs the bad. I was looking at the quote, "Whenever I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story." And when I really got thinking about it, that quote could not be more perfect. It seems like something simple and amusing, but what if every time I tasted that bit of depression, I decided to focus on the awesome? What if, instead of dwelling on those things that aren't perfect about me or my life, I decided to dwell on the things are? I know: Nobody is perfect. But I have some perfect things in my life.
Friends. My goodness. Just the last few days I have really realized how wonderful my true friends are. They aren't afraid to tell me truth. They know that what they have to say might not make me happy, but they choose to say it because they know it will help me grow. "I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return." How beautiful is that? The Lord sends us the people he knows we need at certain times. The ones that, without really trying, help us grow. They help us become the people we really want and need to be. Not every experience is positive. But, just think for a minute: How different would you be if you had never had a broken heart? Never lost a friend? Always got everything you ever wanted and never really had to work? I know for a fact that I would never have grown up. I never would have matured. I would have been stuck being exactly the same my whole life. Bernard M. Baruch said, "The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them." My mom and I made resolutions this year not to make any new year's resolutions. But I've decided to change that. I am going to be more positive; see every challenge and trial as an opportunity - become the person I want and need to be. This all hit me last night. Even if the party hosted by the Debachelorization Initiative didn't lead us all to our eternal companions like I hoped it might, I learned a lot.
While writing this, I glanced at a paper sitting next to my mouse and saw the following quote from President Monson: Our goal is to achieve, to excel, to strive for perfection. Remember, however, that our business in life is not to get ahead of others but to get ahead of ourselves. To break our own record, to outstrip our yesterdays by today, to bear our trials more beautifully than we ever dreamed we could, to give as we never have given, to do our work with more force and a finer finish than ever - this is the true objective. And to accomplish this task, our attitude is reflected in a determination to make the most of our opportunities.
Coincidence that I noticed this quote sitting here? Probably not.
Life is good. And there is always something positive to think about, even when everything else is trying to tell you otherwise.
So here's a shout out to those friends of mine who have helped me out in life. Even those I don't talk to anymore. Even those who now don't like me. This is for you. Because of you, I have grown. Because of you, I am the person I am today. And I couldn't be happier about that.
I'm done with the drama. From now on, straightforward honesty - no drama at all. Life will be much easier!