Just one thing

This past summer, my wife planned a church camp for our young women. She asked me to be one of the chaperons to help breakdown the camp, so I made the trip up to the beautiful new K’esugi Ken Campground in Denali State Park.

During that particular week in June, the weather had been amazing. Everyone got suntans, and a couple might have gotten sunburns. But everyone agreed that with all the sun, clear skies, amazing views, and beautiful hikes, it had been a wonderful camp with a special spirit about it. Then I came up. Apparently, when I arrived that afternoon, I brought the rain with me. Despite the wet weather, I enjoyed being a quiet observer of these amazing young women and their leaders.

As is customary with the late Alaska summer nights, we went to bed pretty late. As I finally crawled into my tent and sleeping bag, I heard a fateful buzz. The sound seemed to come from several directions, and I struggled to locate it. Despite my multiple attempts, that lone mosquito made the first hour of going to sleep miserable. Each failed attempt to catch it sharpened my focus and determination. The more times I missed, the more tense and angry I became. This bothersome pest distracted me from the beauty around me.

I find it funny sometimes, how one thing—a small thing—can throw a wrench into your whole day. Food caught in your teeth, your pants unknowingly caught in your sock, a mosquito in your tent at night, or a hornet caught in the car while driving can make an experience memorable for all the wrong reasons. Just one thing can make or break your day. We all have little things that annoy us, distract us, or otherwise drive us nuts. We often allow a single irritant a disproportionate effect on our mood. Why does this happen?

In KJV Galatians 5:22-23, it reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” We know that Jesus Christ is the source of love and happiness and that anger and despair come from Satan, who wants us miserable like himself.

I am still amazed at the number of people who choose to be unhappy. I realize that it can be difficult to change how we react to different situations. But with small efforts, we may find that simple acts of kindness can bring dramatic improvements to our moods. Watching the five-second video of my granddaughter saying “Happy Thanksgiving” puts a smile on my face and instantly makes my mood lighter. Seeing her little face in that short clip instantly floods my mind and heart with the fruits of the spirit.

What is the one thing that automatically changes your mood? Is it a song, a scripture, a video, or a favorite phrase? Whatever it is, write it on a card and put it on your mirror or refrigerator so you can see it. Next time you are upset, that reminder could help change your mood for the better. With the Christmas and New Year’s quickly approaching, let us remember a little babe that changed the world for us. Perhaps a quick note, video, or text will be the one thing that improves the season for someone else.

Dr. John Boston is a local physician who is currently deployed in the Middle East with the Alaska Air National Guard, embedded with Combat Search and Rescue. He is a father, husband, and grandfather who believes in Jesus Christ and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.