Day 2: Freedom

The questions that arise this month stem from the Founding Father's belief that we all have a right to freedom.

What does that mean?
What does it look like?
How can we use it for good?

As a family, we are focusing on learning more about how we need courage to be free.   I have tried to apply this study to us as individuals.  Interestingly enough, I started thinking:
-in what ways am I not free right now?

For me, through our seminary classes and in what I believe was a direct Heaven-sent answer to this question, I have identified two areas in my life where I am in bondage;
-I struggle to truly forgive others and myself

To forgive is to release a prisoner, and discover that the prisoner was you.

-I am in bondage to my appetite

These are both areas that are within my area of action, my area of stewardship.   These affect my happiness as all our actions do.

What are you in bondage to?  Where is your study of eternal principles of freedom going to lead you?  Ask the question and then be prepared for God's answer.

Not much time right now! I will "decorate" later :)....

Day 1: Follow-up Discussion

Any ah-has anyone had from their musing about "the pursuit of happiness" or "what makes a happy life?"   Please feel free to share even quick ideas below!

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Mary: We structured a lot of our family's thoughts about "the pursuit of happiness" around Thomas Monson's article: "The Quest for the Abundant Life" which focused on four aspects for creating an abundant life:
-Obedience to Law (Godly and earthly)
-Respect for Others (this tied in nicely to our week about geography and culture!)
-Mastery of Self
-Joy of Service
These were very rich experiences as we sought out media, art, learning, examples and comparisons that complemented what we were learning.  We went to Jamestown and were able to consider the evidence of successful pursuits of happiness and unsuccessful in an elemental, "beginning of society" situation.  We went to Gettyburg and considered the four aspects listed above and their impact in that historic battlefield.  We also went to Williamsburg and felt the excitement of settlers who were intent of following what they felt was their God-sanctioned ability to follow the paths that led them to happiness.

One interesting idea that came up was in conjunction with Aristotle's ancient answer to the question of "what is the ultimate purpose of everything?"  Happiness.  He reasoned that happiness is the only thing that is an end to itself.  You don't pursue happiness for any other reason than to be happy!

Money is pursued for many reasons: stability, power, fame...but all those are sought for the ultimate end of finding happiness!  It is mind-boggling that underlying every decision we make is the unspoken and often unrecognized question: "will this make me happy?"

As we discussed this in devotionals, family home evenings and more formal school settings, I found that there are patterns you can see evidence of in the lives of others or the very world around us.  Every unique path witnesses that if you incorporate the four aspects listed by Monson, you will find what I feel is the true definition of happiness.  Something that is a desirable end in itself and needs nothing else to complete it.

We love and hate songs like this because it testifies of truth...a truth that if you do not invest in family relationships, you will regret it.

We read and acted out "Aesop's Fables" for part of our learning and it was neat how those small vignettes rang so true.  They testify of eternal truths.   They give evidence of both the sure, albeit sometimes hard, way to find happiness as well as the easier way to grief.

We studied people like Adam and Eve and others in the scriptures who found joy and happiness after struggle.

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I look forward to hearing from others!  I hope we can garnish from the submissions ideas for musical numbers, activities and field trips that will help us glean deeper meaning from our daily quests for truth! 
For instance, based upon just what I shared:
-we could have someone do a musical number about principles that bring us happiness
-we could take turns acting out Aesop's fables or put some of them "on trial" in a simulation
-we could make a nature walk that has four different stops along the way in our "Quest for Happiness" that focus on the four aspects of Monson's talk

Please share :)!!