I met Lexi & Nate a year ago when I moved to Logan. Lexi was one of my roommates and Nate lived next door! I loved living with Lexi and getting to hang out with Nate & his roommates all the time last year. Definitely think it was a blessing to be able to meet them and live with Lexi. They've both blessed my life in more ways then they know! 

They got engaged a while back and asked me to take their engagement photographs. We finally found a time to do the session and headed into the canyon. The fall colors were absolutely amazing with all the leaves changing. It was breathtaking and we got many fantastic photographs. The lighting combined with the fall colors was stunning. They had me laughing most of the shoot, which made for such a fun afternoon. 

Finding Happiness in Unlikely Places | Real Thoughts

If there is one thing that everyone desires most often, it is to be happy. Honestly, who doesn't want to be happy? Not just temporary happiness from something, but to feel true, genuine happiness. This can be hard to find, especially living in the world we live in with promises of "happiness" surrounding us in social media, advertisements, movies and television, and so much more. Don't buy into that though. The "happiness" referenced in those things will not be lasting happiness. Sure you might be happy for a couple hours after watching the newest movie or after tasting a new flavor of ice cream. However, it is a very, very temporary form of happiness. It won't last.

The long-lasting, true, and eternal happiness is what I am seeking. Sure, I have some things on my 'list' of what I think will make me happy like a good job in my career field, dating someone and always having them to talk to and make me laugh, graduating college with a high GPA, getting enough sleep, making money, and a couple others. Yes, those may make me happy. But only for a small moment. After all is said and done, all those previously mentioned things are not the most important thing to me and won't bring me the most happiness. My family and the gospel are two of the most important things to me, which also bring me great happiness; happiness that will last.

As I've started a new semester of school about a month ago and have been busy with classes, extracurricular activities, and personal things, I have put a lot of thought into what my happiness comes from, particularly following a bad or stressful day, or a trial. 

I have quickly learned that happiness can come from the littlest things and often be found in the most unlikely places. I have stopped waiting for Friday, the big game, a vacation, or until after the semester is over to be happy. Why should I wait for happiness when I can get happiness from things all around me on a daily basis?

I've found happiness in some of the simplest and unlikely places: class getting out early, a kind stranger smiling at me or saying hi as I walk by, Dr. Pepper, a random text or message from a friend, laughter, falling asleep to the sound of rain, adventures on a whim, sunshine, a scripture or quote that was placed in front of me for a reason, a beautiful photograph, watching baseball games - especially with my brother or watching his games, free food (a tender mercy for college students), encounters with good people, talking with old friends, missionary emails from Taylor, going home for the weekend and seeing my family, and so many more little things. 

I am truly happier now that I have decided to abandon old ways of being happy and find joy and happiness in the smallest, everyday things

Stay happy friends❤️