Eat, Breathe, Grow, Give

Joseph Smith said, 

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it."
Notice there is an IF in that sentence.  We are not guaranteed happiness.  We have to pursue the path that leads to it.

One of the most ghastly stories in the Old Testament is found at the end of the Book of Judges.  It deals with cowardice, with devaluing of women, with rape, with murder, with desecration of a human body, with vengeance and bloodshed.  I won't repeat the story here because I dislike reading it, let alone writing it.  Why is such a story in the Bible?

Its value is found in its juxtaposition with the Book of Ruth, which directly follows it.  In the story of Ruth we find its direct opposite:  A woman is found to be of great value despite being from an enemy land, and of an idol-worshiping heritage, because she converts, is fiercely loyal to her mother-in-law, and because she serves and loves whole-heartedly.

The Book of Ruth and the Book of Judges actually take place at the same time in history.  Ruth chose to live differently than those depicted in Judges.  In this life, we have the choice of which "book" we are going to live in, and which story we are going to create.

Jesus Christ said,

I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly."  (John 10:10)  

We can choose that abundant life that Christ offered.

When I was a little kid, I learned on TV ("Schoolhouse Rock") that something is alive if it
eats,
breathes, and
grows.
Therefore, a plant is alive, while a rock is not.

But there is one more property to life:
 Something that is alive and really thriving also
gives.
In nature, that means it reproduces and/or contributes to the world around it. 

By breaking a small branch off my jade tree, I can grow another jade tree without diminishing the original tree; in fact, the pruning will spur growth.  I have given away 30 jade plants as gifts from this one tree.

When we choose to 

eat the "Bread of Life" by studying Christ's teachings, 

breathe by letting the Spirit direct our every move, 

grow and improve our abilities,
and 

give of ourselves, 

we are living that abundant life that Jesus Christ promised.

  

When I feel stagnant, bored, or useless,

I need to consider which of these categories 

is lacking, and by investing in it, 

I can return to a more abundant state of life.