Looking upon the past, with todays lense

Frequently, I put myself back into significant turning points. Putting on figurative glasses that display a retrospective view. I'm positive many of you do the same. It truly is a sobering reflection. There is much to gain from a careful study of our personal, decisive events. Whether they be joyous, or excruciating. This is what I would like to draw attention to. Looking upon the past, with todays lense.

What I would give to go back to those transformative nights! Gazing at vast galaxys with heavy eyes. Serenaded by faint strumming, while breathing air rich in smoke and endearing friendship. Life spent oblivious to the idea that the joyous and simple present, passes by far too quickly.

Serenity taken for granted.

What I would give to have those small, but significant moments again. Episodes where a decision or choice, could change someones eternal sojourn, even my own. The comfort zone can be a literal prison. If only I had enough wisdom and insight to take challenges and difficulty as a means to obtain more, not less. A charge to overcome and overachieve, not subdue and surrender. Paths visibly leading to distant horizons, that I would choose, not to travel. Leaving my soul to shake with sorrow and regret. The analysis of missed potential, is a painful examination.

Growth taken for granted.

However, I want to draw attention to a time far more influential. A time that we are often far too forgetful about. A time that we unconsciously "take for granted". A time, that very few can put on those "retrospective glasses" and view plainly. That "time" I speak of, is our divine beginnings.

Our individual story is more ancient than it appears on the surface level. "...Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High" (Psalms 82:6) Our current mortal comparisons, are nothing more than an echo of our transcendent origin and therefor potential. Nothing is more moving and stirring than this pure knowledge! We are the literal Sons and Daughters of God. Not just insignificant individuals during a inconsequential time. We were something! We are something! And remarkably, we can become something!

But, we forget this all too often...

Life, by design, puts us in some severe low valleys. We all have personal obstacles to overcome, and trials to endure. Especially in times such as these. There is such a prevailing darkness, followed shortly by overwhelming distress. However, we have no room to panic. We know where we came from, and where we are going. Simply even, why these things must be. So when the yoke seems too much to carry; remember, "...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7)

Let us not forget to periodically "glimpse" at our heavenly origin, who we belong to, and why we yet are still here. Powerfully, this is often all we need to keep moving forward.

Our excellence existed in the eternities before

To guide us during our expedition in the present

Preparatory to our exaltation in the eternities hereafter