Freedom

While studying the scriptures this morning, I had an insight that I wanted to share from Mosiah 21-22.  This applies to anyone struggling with any sort of trial that they feel is restricting their freedom.  I highly recommend you read these chapters!

 2 And it came to pass that they [the people of Limhi] could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.

{Mosiah 22:2}

Have you ever experienced a trial that you felt bound by?

Have you tried to fight it, only to find that you are too weak to do it on your own?

We can learn from the people of Limhi.   When they faced such a trial, they found that fighting was not the answer.  It only hurt them.  But this verse points out that the only way they could deliver themselves was to "depart into the wilderness."

What could that mean?

To me, it means instead of fighting against my big trials, I am better off departing from them.  Departing does not mean giving into them--it means diverting your energy to somewhere/something good.  Mentally, this could mean diverting my thoughts away from whatever temptation I'm struggling with and losing myself in a good cause (e.g. working on my research, finding someone I can serve, reading something uplifting, exercising, etc.)  Mentally departing into a new and good place.

Anyways, those are my thoughts.  I hope it helps someone out there!  

Peace.

Our powerful roles as women, and men. As God's children.

Though I don't know everything, I know this:  

I am a daughter of God, my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and has great plans for my growth and happiness.  

This speech is pretty long (almost an hour), but it is worth listening to, especially if you have concerns about how Mormon's regard and treat women.  Please, listen with an open heart to the beliefs of Sharon Eubank, director of Humanitarian Services and LDS Charities.  I enthusiastically agree with her.  There is more to life than this temporary world!

Link is here

What's in a face?

That's my face.

Isn't it beautiful?  ;)

^^^^^^^^^

Looking at another person's face is one of the most profound ways by which we can lose ourselves, 

and remember another person's innate human value.  Making both of us happier.

^^^^^^^^^

"Hearkening to the call of Christ from His Spirit,

or through another's countenance,

or both, we become genuinely honest, simple, solid, true--

often together with someone we may not have trusted before.

[do you want to be that?  genuine.  honest.  simple.  solid.  true.  i sure do.]

"Whether it is felt in His breast or in ours, 

the Savior's love can achieve what force cannot

because where force calls forth counterforce,

love calls forth love...

"How then shall we come unto Christ...?  

By sacrificing all taking of offense.  

By giving up criticism, impatience, and contempt....

By giving these practices their true name, 

violence, 

and abhorring even their first appearance.  

By renouncing war in every form and 

proclaiming peace....

"Listen attentively to the teacher whose lectures may be a little dry.  

Read with particular care the papers of students who struggle to write.  

Befriend the one who feels different, lost, or lonely.  

Embrace the child who seems to resist you.  

Take seriously the advice of parents who have trouble following that advice themselves.  

Invite to dinner those who lack the graciousness or the means to invite you back.  

Even 'love your enemies, do good to them which hate you' (Luke 6:27)....

"This kind of love is who we really are.... 

And anything less

--judging others and withholding our favor from them--

capitulates to Satan."

[Quote from this speech by C. Terry Warner]

{He's founder of Arbinger Institute, the group that wrote The Anatomy of Peace and Leadership and Self-Deception}

^^^^^^^^^

I have seen through personal experience how true this is.

Join me in putting these promises to the test.

Whether you're renewing your previous commitment, or turning over a new leaf.

Let us forget ourselves, and go to work.

Just keep swimming! ;)

You know what's beautiful?

Your faith.

It's an amazing, and powerful thing.

And you don't have to be religious to have faith.

All you've got to do is believe what's true, even when you're tempted to doubt.  

Especially when you're tempted to doubt...

But faith,

Is what fuels our ability to push through the hard times,

Knowing that if we are true to what's right,

It will all work out.

Not saying we have to be miserable and put off our rewards until everything's perfect.

Not at all.

But there are inevitably going to be hard times when all you can do is push through.

So do it.

Push your hardest.

No matter what opposition faces you, 

No matter what distractions divert your path,

Get back on the right path,

And keep longing.

Keep trying.

Keep praying.

Keep loving.

Keep moving, and hoping, and working at it.

And I promise, 

You will be rewarded.

God promises,

You will be rewarded:

"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your ^breward in heaven: for so ^cpersecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Matthew 5:12

(I believe this applies even when the persecution is all in your head.)

If your reward hasn't come yet,

It will.

Have faith.

(As much as I love Josh Groban, he's not the most important person who loves you ;) But this song is great.)

If you could see yourself grow and glow are you're going through this,

You would be in awe of the person you are becoming.

peace out

A Champion

(pronounced "Addict to Athlete")

This is an amazing group of people who, though they've all struggled with addiction, have found a new way of life through taking care of their bodies and becoming physically fit.  

I am starting an internship with them, and have already felt so welcomed by the group members.  They're like a family who supports and encourages each other to do hard things.  They run together, do yoga, walk, play sports, and work together to live positive, active, healthy lives.  There is someone to represent every range of athletic ability, but that's not what's emphasized.  What's emphasized is your attitude and your effort.  

a group of us doing yoga together a few weeks ago.

Though the blog post below is aimed specifically at these Athletes, I think it applies to all of us:

"Coach, am I a Champion?

That question can be music to my ears or can be the prelude to another disappointment. Claiming to want to be a champion is the easy part. Understanding what is actually required to become an AIIA Champion requires more than working out, racing or competing. Sobriety, focus, heart and investment are only the precursors to becoming an AIIA Champion. By creating a more excellent way to live a substance free life one must completely commit to do what is necessary to become a champion.

Wanting to be a Champion, wanting to be the best at everything, whether it is in recovery, treatment, education or in athletics requires the same basic process as sobriety; an understanding of the subject, a knowledge of the limitations, a love for the subject. Becoming a champion requires a strong work ethic and a willingness to sacrifice old habits, friends and relationships in order to achieve success in athletics, healthy living and of course…sustained sobriety.

There are many individuals who have bought into the lie that they can never be a Champion. They tend to stumble upon the notion of being a champion after years of being stuck in life’s deep emotional ruts. The last thing they believe is that overcoming adversity strengthens them from the core-out and that a little self belief can create a fire that has the potential to create the Champion. But there lies the key, the foundation of success;

You see, True CHAMPIONS are made, not born. CHAMPIONS are created through adversity. Yes, bad days, stressful situation, heartaches, emotional pain and losses are all necessary elements in the production of a CHAMPION. Your character is built in the storm life offers. It is not built in success, it is built in adversity. You develop strength when you are in difficult spots yet, the key is learning to handle opposition with courage and integrity and rising when you fall, so you become that CHAMPION.

Characteristics of an AIIA Champion:

• The Athlete discovers how great they can be

• The Athlete talks soft and plays loud

• The Athlete loves the battle more than the victory

• They are not afraid to lose

• The Athlete faces their giants to reach their goals

• They compete with purpose and passion

• The Athlete learns from losses

• They live in the present moment

• The Athlete produces continuous improvement

• The Athlete knows how much they’re worth

So what are you waiting for? I once heard that every story has a hard part in the middle. Take a look at your life, where you currently stand. If you are having difficult times or circumstances seem overwhelming, congratulations this is the middle, not the end. Even greater than that is the undaunted fact that those adversities can be the platform you need to take a stand, rise up, flex the muscles and overcome that which keeps you stuck. Then you, will know, exactly who you are! You Are A……………."

from the AIIA blog

We can all be champions!

And that's what makes us beautiful.

peace out

Yes, yet another song

A song, for those of us (myself included!) who sometimes stress out more than necessary:

Beautiful thing:

faith

peace, baby

Readjust your lens

Sometimes what we think is super important

Really doesn't matter at all.

And sometimes what we think isn't a big deal,

Makes the difference between life and death.

Like little choices, added up.

It's time for me to readjust my lens, 

to see as God does.

Not as man.

beautiful thing:

truth

peace out.

Wake up!

The most important things we can do:

Love God

Love ourselves

Love each other 

that's beautiful.

[peace]

lovin the quotes

“The Lord has determined in His heart that He will try us until He knows what He can do with us.

  He tried His Son Jesus….Before He came upon earth the Father had watched his course and knew that He could depend upon Him when the salvation of worlds should be at stake; and He was not disappointed.  

So in regard to ourselves.  He will try us, and continue to try us, in order that He may place us in the highest positions in life and put upon us the most sacred responsibilities.”

  

{Teachings of Lorenzo Snow}

beautiful thing Father:

God 

{and His complete understanding of us}

peace

*

"You must learn day by day, year by year, to broaden your horizon.  

The more things you love, 

the more you are interested in, 

the more you enjoy, 

the more you are indignant about, 

the more you have left when anything happens."

[Ethel Barrymore]

[pretty sure i got this picture from blog.freepeople.com]

Don't worry

This scripture hit me in a new way today:

 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can ^adefile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that ^bdefile the man.

Mark 7:15

Usually I see this as saying that food can't stop our spiritual progression, but our words and deeds can.

But today, my view was broadened...

I don't know about you, but I often find myself worrying about the trials I go through.  Sometimes I'm even tempted to think that they make me less of a person.  For example, if I have a negative thought come into my head about someone or something, it's easy to berate myself for having that thought, and/or fearing that I'm a bad person because of it.

[photo from the Mormon.org Facebook page]

But, no.  That's not true--nor is it right.  

Those thoughts are just as much "from without" as any germ or bacteria that could make me medically sick.  No onslaught of temptations, trials, negative thoughts, etc. could ever compromise my spiritual progression, unless I choose them over God...

And the same goes for you.  

No matter what you're going through--financial troubles, loneliness, abuse, negative thoughts, addictions, divorce, doubts, bullying, illness, disability--whatever you're currently struggling with, it cannot destroy you without your permission.  

The things that "come out of" you--your own decisions right now--words, deeds, etc.--those are what have the potential to destroy you.  

But remember, they are also what can allow you to be saved.

The saving itself, that's done by the Savior.

As we choose to let Him, by using His atonement.

It's our choice.

And even as we make mistakes--and do choose to defile ourselves with our choices (which, being human, we inevitably will)--we can always turn back.  We can always elect to return, ready to change, to the Savior.  No matter how far gone and hopeless we think we may be.

And He will cleanse us.  Completely, wholly, infinitely...

beautifully.

[Isaiah 1:18]

Peace

here's to a new year!

"To not take counsel from our fears simply means that 

we do not permit fear and uncertainty 

to determine our course in life, 

to affect negatively our attitudes and behavior, 

to influence improperly our important decisions, 

or to divert or distract us 

from all in this world that is 

virtuous, lovely, or of good report."

[David A. Bednar]

Live Right Now

"...Isn’t language interesting?

For example, a bus station is where a bus stops. 

A train station is where a train stops. On my desk is a work station. It is where . . .

At church we hope those who sit on the stand understand how long we can stand to sit.

When they grow on vines, blackberries when green are red. 

Wireless BlackBerries when read in class make green instructors blue.

The title of my talk—Live Right Now—also has dual meaning. 

“Live right now” can mean “live—right now.” It can also mean “live right—now.” 

Both meanings testify to the supernal blessings of choice—what the scriptures call “moral agency” (D&C 101:78)."

[Gerrit W. Gong]

This is from an insightful, uplifting, and inspiring speech by Dr. Gerrit W. Gong called "Live Right Now,"about decision-making in our lives. 

You can find it here, on LDS.org.  

I mean, who doesn't wonder about quintessential existential dilemmas? :)

{Don't worry, definitions are included in the speech}

{From Google Images; think it's a good representation of how it feels to live right now!}

A quote from the talk: 

"The remarkable truth “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25) assures us existential choice need not engender forlornness, anguish, and despair (as described by Jean-Paul Sartre) but, ultimately, the joy for which men and women are."

beautiful thing:

our power to choose

peace out.