Everything Beautiful in Its Time: Seasons of Love and Loss—A Heartwarming Tribute to Family and Wisdom

by Jenna Bush Hager

Don’t get down when your life takes a bad turn. Don’t blame others for your setbacks. When things go well, always give credit to others. Don’t talk all the time. Listen to your friends and mentors and learn from them. Don’t brag about yourself. Let others point out your virtues, your strong points. Give someone a hand. When a friend is hurting, show that friend you care. Nobody likes an overbearing big shot. As you succeed, be kind to people. Thank those who help you along the way. Don’t be afraid to shed a tear when your heart is broken or because a friend is hurting.

Don’t be intimidated by people who have a better education or more money. Kindness is more valuable than any fortune.

Smile at every baby you see. Regardless of what you do, be proud of working hard to take care of your family. Read widely. If anyone spills something, yell “Happy days!” It reminds everyone not to sweat the small stuff. Get out of bed to go look at the stars—and always, always wish upon the first star you see.

“There’s nothing you can do to make me stop loving you, so stop trying so hard.”

We pray with gratitude to you, Lord, for you came to rescue us, you came to set us free—presently and eternally. Free from earthly pains that cripple us, earthly chains that confine us, earthly limitations that tether us—Lord, let gravity’s pull that binds us to this lost world finally be broken. We pray for lightness, for release, for freedom, for eternal homecoming. For your “glorious and inexpressible joy.” Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. IV