Work done

I spoke today with a man whom I know for some time. We didn't see each other for 3 years and since I'm very rarely home and he has his own business even meeting today was more like a business meeting than anything else. We set up date and time weeks ahead so we would have time for each other.

We talked about our lives, about our work, and about things which made each of us happy. At least so I thought. I honestly thought that some activities in my life are more about passion and not duty. As we discussed our lives I came to realize that most of the things I do are becoming more tick off  DONE than things I do with love and enjoyment. As I went back home I saw that this become a pattern in my life. I look at things which I love and mostly enjoy as on goal as on something I want to accomplish. So I can say IT'S DONE.

Recently I felt really tired and to me, it was being tired without reason. I worried a bit about it as I didn't know the cause. I was sick with worries that there must be something wrong with me. I even went to my doctor for complete check up. (Not exactly thing I would enjoy) She said there isn't anything wrong with my body. Her advice RELAX, ENJOY LIFE.

Today it started all make sense. In the last year, I became a slave of my own goals, of my own expectations. Everything became a duty and work instead of Joy. Done. Done. Done. Became my measure of happiness. But it was instant happiness just a few minutes and that's it. It wasn't that happy feeling which you can wrap around yourself when you feel lonely. The happiness which you carry in back of your mind and bring back everytime you feel down. Instant happiness can't make you feel that way.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said 'Life is to be enjoyed not just endured.' I love this. It's true but I forgot it. Now when I was reminded of it I want to change and start to more enjoy not any cost but REALLY ENJOY.

I want to trully enjoy and rejoice when I say THE WORK IS DONE.

So here we go.

I'm LDS for the last 13 years and I'm enjoying it. Recently friends of mine were asking if I don't want to start a blog about my life and my experiences. Just wonder how many of them will actually read it. 

I recently came across this quote from the movie The Incredibles 
"I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now."
It's so true past will always distract us from now. But for a little bit, I need to go back to the past. 

 So 13 years ago I was living in the Czech Republic in Hradec Kralove there I met the missionaries and I was taught the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I actually asked for the lessons and to be baptized. I know it might sound weird to some folks but that's my story. The story which began years before in different part of the country when I was only 13 years old. The story began with me being upset by a comment from the priest.

To explain: I lost my grandfather just before my 13th birthday a few months later my great-uncle Emil died. He was my granny's first brother and yes his death was unexpected but that wasn't that important at the time. I was attending gospel classes that year in the church in which I was raised with my brothers. The chapel was in the village next to ours. Uncle Emil lived in that village and we all loved him dearly. He went to church every week since it was walking distance from his home, my grandpa didn't attend as it was too difficult due to his health. Well, with the passing of my great-uncle Emil came also the responsibility help with the funeral. I still remember how I was apologizing to the priest that the following week I wouldn't be attending the gospel class as I was due to help with refreshment. And then it had happened the priest said something unthinkable 'Your granny must be devastated losing her brother. But she doesn't need to worry he is saved since he was regular church goer not like your grandfather about him I'm not sure.' 
You can imagine that I was totally put off. How dared he to judge my grandfather. Ever since that Friday evening, I was avoiding this priest. This Friday evening was beginning of my journey to something better. From that moment I started looking for something else something better. I still went to church but I was looking for something which we will more sense to me and will be true deep down to the core, not just a facade. 

It took me 13 years to find it. And it wasn't until the last Sunday in May 2004 when I attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the first time that I found what I was looking for. 
That very Sunday I got the answer to my question I never asked anyone. And two weeks later I asked the elders if I can be baptized. They were little shocked since I wasn't taking lessons at the time but happily agreed and set the date.

I invited one of my friends to my baptism thinking that she will be happy for me as I'm. Well, she wasn't, she witnessed my baptism and on our way back she tried to change my mind as she said 'You still can leave this. You will lose more than you will ever gain from this.' I asked her what she means. 'You will lose your friends and much more if you are a member of this church.' After my reply that I will not change my mind, she left with words 'You will regret it.'

Funny enough I was aware the whole time that I might lose my family as I knew none of them will approve it. It never crossed my mind that I will lose my friends. And yes, I lost some of them but most of my friends remained to this day.

The following year I left for my mission. But that's a different story.

The 17th July 2004 became one of the happiest days of my life. And whenever I look back I want to shout I don't regret the best decision of my life.