Mario Kart: the Single Green Shell

 Wouldn't you know it, the next item from the question box is the single green shell (oh boy oh boy!).  This creative little weapon can either be fired forward or backward, depending on where your foe lies.  Also, much like the single banana peel we talked of previously, it can be held behind you for protection.  When fired, the green shell travels in a straight path.  It can bounce off walls and will ricochet back in another straight path (so if you are a pro at geometry, you know how to work this item).  When this item hits an opponent, kart and driver go a-tumblin'.  

 The Single Green Shell is comparable to having a happy demeanor (promise, this will make sense momentarily).  Satan's big goal in his terrible little existence is "1 ...that all men might be miserable like unto himself."  Lame right?  But, we can make his kart go tumbling.  Through our trials, it becomes easy to be depressed, sad, angry, or hurt.  It's during these times that a happy little primary song jumps into my head.  It's called "I Can Be Happy" (with actions, it is even better!).

If you chance to meet a frown,

Do not let it stay.
Quickly turn it upside down
And smile that frown away.

No one likes a frowning face.

Change it for a smile.

Make the world a better place
By smiling all the while.



"Don't get mad, get glad!"  When we are given a trial, the best thing we can do is be optimistic and endure it well.  Fire into it with a good attitude and come out with just as much enthusiasm as before; like the green shells, they hit a wall and come back off straight as an arrow.  Do you know how frustrated Satan gets when we are happy through our trials?  Honestly, he is TICKED!  I remember the first time I heard someone say they were grateful for their trials.  I thought "what?!?!  Seriously?"  I got a little annoyed and thought "whatever, that's a lie."  I have since seen the wisdom in that statement, but think of how Satan must feel.  Take my silly confused thoughts and amplify them tenfold.


Try to have a happy demeanor about you all the time.  Through good and bad.  Bounce in and out of your trials with a smile on your face, it will be the best way of kicking Satan right in the face (so to speak).

Bad Day

Ever heard the saying "life sucks and then you die" before?  Well, I absolutely hate it!  What a depressing thing to say.  I have been talking to a missionary in my zone today about a rough day he had this week.  The day began with a spider bite, never pleasant at all.  Then, he was hit in the leg with a frisbee.  It wouldn't have been that big of a deal, but it just so happened to hit his bad leg (the one he had surgery on as a child) and the frisbee was just shy of reaching mach-1 (slight exaggeration).  If that wasn't painful enough, he then was hit in the face by a less then careful Elder throwing his arms around in frustration at a game.  At this current point, the injured elder has a very hurt nose and one sore leg.  Think that has gotten him down?  Think again.  He is as happy and cheerful as ever.  Smiling hurts, but he still does it. 

Each of us has trials and struggles in life.  Sometimes we feel as if a frisbee has hit us in the leg and hindered us from continuing on.  Sometimes, we feel beat down.  Happiness just doesn't seem like something we can attain.  What can help keep us be happy and chipper during these times?  Peter Pan put it perfectly when he said "You think of a wonderful thought."  Yes, "any happy little thought."  Optimism has been a consistent goal throughout my  mission.  Times aren't always easy and being happy just doesn't seem to fit in the picture.  But, anytime I get down or start to be negative, I think of something positive.  Something that will lift my spirits, make me smile, make me laugh, or do all of them at once (I prefer that option).  It always works.  There is always something to be happy about!  You may have to dig deep sometimes, but you will always find something joyful.

I-think-I-can! I-think-I-can! I-think-I-can!

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD

(Watty Piper)

A little steam engine had a long train of cars to pull.  She went along very well till she came to a steep hill. But then, no matter how hard she tried, she could not move the long train of cars.  She pulled and she pulled. She puffed and she puffed. She backed and started off again. Choo! Choo!  But no! the cars would not go up the hill.  At last she left the train and started up the track alone. Do you think she had stopped working? No, indeed! She was going for help.  "Surely I can find someone to help me," she thought.  Over the hill and up the track went the little steam engine. Choo, choo! Choo, choo! Choo, choo! Choo!