Editor’s Note: “The Spoken Word” is shared by Lloyd Newell every Sunday during the Tabernacle Choir’s weekly broadcast on Temple Square. This he will be awarded on Sunday 4th June 2023.

Do you ever want to start your life over? “You might think that.

With that thought in mind, the teenager’s teacher came up with an idea. She decided to take an informal survey of adults she knew and asked: “If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice when you were younger, what would you say?” Her teacher then collected the responses and shared them with the class.

Interestingly, nearly all of those adults said they would advise them to be hopeful about their younger selves: be optimistic, look for the good in life, and live a life of gratitude.

We tend to think of the younger generation as hopeful and optimistic. But young people also need encouragement. In fact, this generation seems particularly aware of the problems of today’s world. They need someone to reassure them that life is a little further down the road and that everything is okay, that there is peace and progress ahead, that the problems are solvable and the people are lovely.

That’s exactly what survey respondents felt they wanted to convey to younger generations. One person said: “The future is bright!” God has great things in store for you. He further suggested that one way to cross the bridge from despair to optimism is to write down the thoughts, thoughts, and spiritual moments you have as you pray or study the scriptures.

Another shared the idea of ​​keeping a gratitude journal. Fill the pages of her diary and your life will be filled with joy, she advised. Look for good things because you will definitely find what you are looking for.

It would be great if we could turn back the clock and put that advice into practice at a young age. We cannot relive the past, but we can live in the present. Each of us is given a new sunrise every day and more paths in life. Those on the road behind us need to know that the best views are still ahead, and we all need to remember.

Tuning…

Listen to the Music & the Spoken Word broadcast on KSL-TV, KSL News Radio 1160AM/102.7FM, KSL.com, BYUtv, BYUradio, Dish and DirecTV, SiriusXM (Ch. 143), tabernaclechoir.org and youtube.com can. /TheTavernacleChoir and Amazon Alexa (requires skills enabled). The program will be broadcast live on these stations on Sundays at 9:30 am (Mountain Time). Find airing information by state and city at musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedule.