The Key to Happiness

I kind of debated weather i should post this or not, but...!
I have been told many times that keeping a Journal is very important thing, and that we need to write about events that happened, and lessons learned. A blog makes it very easy for me to keep record and track of the day to day things that happen in my life. I do write for you--i hope i can inspire and uplift you, but Sometimes some of my writing is boring and maybe not as meaningful to you! but not only do i write for you, i  also write for me and my family, so that one day we all can look back and remember the things i might otherwise forget.
So! There is something that i keep RE-learning over and over again and that is the lesson of Service. Whenever I was sad growing up, my mom would always say "go do something nice for someone". My grandmothers would also ALWAYS be serving others, Especially my grandma Shirley. They too always had projects and encouraged me to serve. I hated that, I wanted them to pay attention to me, and listen to what *I* had to say. I look back and smile now. My family was trying to teach me a lesson. Of course she wanted to listen and hear what i had to say, but thats not what *I* needed. Service allows you to open your heart, and think of others and sometimes when your down in the dumps, it actually gets you distracted away from your problems :)
Service is much more than that though, its not just a distraction, its actually love. You grow to love the people you serve. Serve your enemies. Its the best cure to help shrink hard feelings. It aides forgiveness and it helps you move FORWARD in life. It creates friendships---I have made so many friends just by doing something kind to them or for them.
If theres one misconception about Service its that service has to be something big and great! For the longest time, i told myself that i could never serve, because i didn't have enough money or time to go around. Service can be as simple as calling someone on the phone, saying hi, writing someone a meaningful note, give someone a sincere compliment, going to the temple,  reading a child a story, or just writing on your blog of things you learned ;) Service no matter how small or big it is, always is significant. Your contribution is needed and appreciated. We can make a difference and we do. You never know who you can help or who is watching.
And finally, Service is Happiness. Pres Hinkley said this:
"Generally speaking, the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others...By and large, I have come to see that if we complain about life, it is because we are thinking only of ourselves."
When we serve others we are truly happy. Each week i try to do something for someone else, and its been a great experience. I'm really glad i learned this and that i made that goal because Its really brightened my whole life.