Thursday, May 18, 2006

Happiness

I used to feel that I couldn't be happy until I resolved all the homosexual problems in my life. Then one day I realized that working on challenges like these is the essence of life. Our whole purpose for being on this earth is to have experiences and learn and grow from them. If we decide we won't be happy until we have mastered all our challenges, we will never be happy.
Jason Parks,
in Resolving Homosexual Problems: A Guide For LDS Men



I liked this part. It's what I would tell every LDS man who is struggling with homosexuality if I could. It would be nice if those suffering could be saved from some of the intense depression and loneliness by recognizing this early on. But, at the same time, I do hold the somewhat fatalistic view that we don't entirely "decide" to be happy.

4 comments:

-L- said...

I'm thinking of you David! :-) At least now it's you and Parks against L. (Speaking only of the happiness part... I know you don't see homosexuality as a challenge or problem.)

Chris said...

Jason Parks wrote: If we decide we won't be happy until we have mastered all our challenges, we will never be happy.

I can agree with this.

David said...

I'm checking out of the Jason Park discussions. I'll say it's because I am leaving for Peru, but it's really not.

-L- said...

Thanks for discussing while you did, David. I really like your comments, even when I disagree perhaps too immediately or insistently. Have fun in Peru.