Just Be Nice

As I go through life, I develop a list of things that I live by.  Some of them are quotes that have stuck out to me, others are learned from experience.  I call them my philosophies.  I always look for more and more each day.  One in particular I learned in High School.  I was asked how do you get through High School?  The question wasn't referring to the academic aspect of it, but the social.  My response was, "Just be nice."

Ever since then, that's been one of my philosophies: Just be nice.  It seems quite simple, but it really does work.  Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, addresses that same topic.  "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying...And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another."  (Ephesians 29, 32).

Kindness is one of our greatest tools in life, and it's extremely contagious.  Acts of kindness are never wasted.  Keep corrupt communication stopped, and create the contagious kindness wherever you go.  Throughout all of my years, I have never once heard anyone say they wish they were a little less kind.  When you make kindness a priority, you will feel as King Benjamin's people did and "have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."  (Mosiah 5:2).

Life: A Team Sport

One thing I love about hockey is that there are no "one man teams."  One player can never do it on his own.  Each player has a purpose and must work together if they intend to accomplish their goal, which is, to defeat the opposing team.  We all have teammates, just like in hockey, that we need to utilize in this life.  If we want to conquer this life, then we have to work with our teams.

We all have different "teams" in life.  Our families are a team, our schools are a team, our little group of friends are a team, and so on.  No matter where we go, we'll be in some sort of team.  Each team has a purpose and is usually there to make us better.  Our families raise us, school educates us, friends entertain us, and so on.  Often times we forget that we have so many teams rooting for us. 

Too many times in this life we feel alone.  We should never feel that way.  Always remember that there are teams all around to help support you.  "...We must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman." ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Always remember that we have the best teammate that we could ask for: Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ has been through it all and is rooting for us always.  He's always by our side.  Never forget that we are all on the same team and must work together if we want to reach our goal.