Looking Back

I had to go through my emails today because they were starting to get gnarly. There were like 3,000 of them because I have been very behind on deleting them since like, three years ago. ha!
It was bittersweet to see all the address and subjects of the emails. Dance company reminders, Prom pictures, emails from various colleges recruiting me, high school teachers scheduling tests, ACT reminders, Young Women talks, flight information, conversations about Girls Camp, information from my driving school, notifications from my online classes, old chapters from my never-finished novel, etc etc etc.
They were like little snippets of my life during Junior and Senior year. A lot happened during those years. A lot that was pretty stupid and unnecessary. A lot that was selfish and confusing. A lot that was amazing and fun. A lot that strengthened my testimony and created forever friendships.

Time goes by so quickly. Parents always say that about their kids, and I'm like Dude I know! I don't want to grow up this fast either! Time seriously flies! 
But it's okay because every new thing is so exciting. Change is good. Especially for me, because I have a lot to change before I become the person I want to be.
I found the first emails I wrote my mission friends. The friends I graduated with.
Memories and emotions were still very close to the surface, and we were all on the brink of something very new, very looming, very important. It was definitely the start of a new chapter. And ya know, I've become very fond of this chapter. I only have about 6 weeks left of school (I don't count Spring Break) and that kind of makes me sad. These two semesters seem like whirlwinds. I am going to miss my roommates, our nightly talks, their funny jokes, their sarcasm, and belly-laughing every five minutes. I am going to miss my little dorm, hanging new pictures on my Target wall hexagons, and decorating for each new season/holiday, plugging in my twinkle lights every night before reading my scriptures and going to bed. I am going to miss dancing every day and walking to the LA building via the two UVU parking lots. Seeing the mountains and sometimes stopping just to stare at them. Getting soup or a cinnamon roll at the library cafe with Sierra. Walking through the halls and not getting lost (most of the time).
Ah look at me getting all nostalgic and we aren't even in April yet. Pull it together man

I guess my point is this-
Stop waiting to be happy. Stop focusing on the "good times ahead." Yep you can bet your bottom dollar they are coming, but you can be sure that they are already happening. Someday, you're going to look back at this exact time of your life and think Man. That was exciting. I had it good. I miss those days.
Happiness is a choice and is therefore a blessing you can enjoy any moment you choose to 

Live for now. Remind yourself that "Eternal perspective does not just mean looking toward the future." *more on that later, in my Stake Conference post*