"Sometimes we need a reminder that life was never all sunshine and roses for fairy-tale princesses. Before the true love's kisses and happily ever afters, there came once upon a times of poisoned apples, spindle pricks, and impossible tasks."
i wish i could just sum up the book but there is no possible way i could even compare to the way Uchtdorf explains it, so i will just quote him tons and add in little extras :). lazy? its fine.
"Once upon a time." How magical and full of promise is this simple phrase? Aren't those wonderful words to begin a story? 'Once upon a time' promises something: a story of adventure and romance, a story of princesses and princes. It may include tales of courage, hope and everlasting love. In many fairytales, nice overcomes mean and good overcomes evil. But perhaps most of all, I love it when we turn to the last page and our eyes reach the final lines and we see the enchanting words "And they lived happily ever after."
When you think back to your favorite fairytale, they all have something in common. They must overcome adversity. How funny is it to think about the movies you used to watch when you were little and realize how much more you understand now, compared to back then. Its so silly, but i almost feel like i can relate to them a little bit and i can learn something from these Disney princess stories and apply it to my life.
"Sandwiched between their 'once upon a time' and 'happily ever after', they all had to experience great adversity. Why must we all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy and love? -In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise."
President Uchtdorf shares a story in this book about when he was younger, where he met a girl named Harriet.. who would later become his wife. He talks about how he was in love with her from the first second he laid eyes on her. He did everything in his power to get her attention. He got in with her mom. He always made sure he passed the sacrament down her row in church. He went out of his way to make sure he would run into her.. the whole game, and she never gave him the time of day.
"Was i disappointed? YES! Was i defeated? absolutely not!"
Years later, after he finished his training as a fighter pilot in the air force, he claims to have experienced a miracle. She finally noticed him as more than a friend and they were married a few months later.
"The process hadn't been easy-there were moments of suffering and despair-but finally my happiness was full, and it still is, even more so." AHH!
"It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop."
We are all promised our own 'happily ever after' as long as we walk in the ways of the Lord, seek goodness, and stand for truth and righteousness.
my Once upon a time is NOW.
i love this book so much. mainly because it just puts everything into perspective..
ugh. gotta love Uchtdorf right? such a stud.
xoxo loves
Love!
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