You matter to Him. Never give up.

Which Way Do You Face?

"Courage is...the form of every virtue at the testing point.  ...Pilate was merciful till it became risky."

- C.S. Lewis -

Here's a one-minute video on Christ's example of courage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a6BcSolTeo&list=PLClOO0BdaFaNmUqc3ItZJgiuQC9AuoGVo&index=3

I add my witness that these words are true.

For further reading, click here!

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

You have something to contribute

I've been thinking a lot about spiritual gifts lately...

What exactly are spiritual gifts?

They are blessings given by God to His children for their own benefit, and for the benefit of others.

Everyone has different gifts; nevertheless, everyone does have a gift.

Moroni 10:8-18, 1 Corinthians 12, D&C 46:11, "Gifts of the Spirit"

Find out what your spiritual gifts are by considering what you're good at,

What you're passionate about,

The compliments other people give you, 

etc.

Kneel in prayer 

and ask Heavenly Father what spiritual gifts He has blessed you with.

Then, use them to bless others' lives!

“One of the most comforting teachings of the gospel is that each son and daughter of God—every one of us—is born with an inheritance of gifts, talents, and abilities that can help us through our earthly mission…We cannot be happy and successful in life without gratefully acknowledging those gifts and doing all we can to develop them.  Our problem is never that we have no strengths; the problem comes when we do not recognize our strengths and build upon them."

- Gerald Causse - 

"For When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong"

Shout out to my dear, dear mother who has the gifts of:

Teaching

Pure love of God and man

Sacrifice

Learning

Obedience

{I am so grateful for her}

Peace out.

Feel-goods and Feel-bads

Emotions.
They are a peculiar thing.

Whether it's that fluttering you get inside when you think you're falling in love,

The pain of betrayal by someone you trusted,

Or those tender feelings of compassion when you sympathize with another human being,

You notice your emotions.

And sometimes, you struggle with them.

David A. Bednar (shown above) once said:

"In the classroom of mortality, 

we experience tenderness, love, kindness, happiness,

sorrow, disappointment, pain,

and even the challenges of physical limitations

in ways that prepare us for eternity.  Simply stated,

there are lessons we must learn and experiences we must have, 
as the scriptures describe,

'according to the flesh.'"

{{Things As They Really Are}}

See also: 1 Nephi 19:6; Alma 7:12-13

My thoughts?
I believe that we all existed as spirit children of our Heavenly Father before we came to earth.
That we did not have bodies before this earth life; and that
a huge part of our reason for coming was to obtain our own bodies.

David A. Bednar said that we experience those feelings in mortality as preparation for eternity.  "According to the flesh" means that ways in which we we experience them are likely unique to our mortal life (where we live in the flesh).

Personally, I think that these emotions we feel--tenderness, love, kindness, happiness, sorrow, disappointment, pain, etc.--at the intensity we feel them now, are new to us.  I think we had emotions before, but our physical bodies enhance them to a level that we've never experienced before.  Maybe part of this earth life is meant to be a learning experience for us on handling emotions.

Look around and you'll see all the different ways that people try to deal with their emotions.  We have developed so many ways to suppress, escape, or communicate them. Some examples and/or consequences include medications, art, food, drug addictions, behavioral addictions, posturing, music, dance, prayer, exercise, etc.
{Let me just put a special plug in for prayer!  God hears you.}

We are learning beings.  Always learning, learning, learning...

I don't mean to imply that emotion is "the answer to everything."  I just mean to say that, I believe, the intense emotions we experience might be entirely new to our souls, and therefore it's normal and expected to be a little unsure about what to do with them.

But let's keep this in mind:
Emotion, by definition, is meant to lead to motion.

So let's put them to good use!
"...bear one another's burdens that they may be light.... mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort..."
Mosiah 18:8-10

beautiful things:
our bodies
emotions
learning and growing from the good and painful
love and service to others

and much, much, more.




peace out.

Quote

"If you want praise more than instruction, you will likely find neither."

I heard this quote in church last week, but I can't find who originally said it.  

{If you know, would you please tell me?}

peace out.

Do your best, and forget the rest!

photo from lds.org

“The Lord doesn't expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn't – nor should we – compare our efforts to those of others.” –Dieter F. Uchtdorf
{quote from the mormon.org facebook page}

This truth gives me comfort when I start to feel pressured about school assignments

(Especially essays!)

Not sure where this quote came from, but I like it

peace

This really hit my heart strings (and tear ducts) tonight.

I needed it.  

I hope it helps you, too.

<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

"To the individual who is weak in the heart,

fearful in the heart:

be patient with yourself.

Perfection comes not in this life, but in the next life.

Don't demand things that are unreasonable,

but demand of yourself improvement.

"As you let the Lord help you,

through that, He will make the difference."

Peace in the knowledge of God,

and our identity as His children,

is beautiful.

<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>

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.

Rolling waters

This quote really hit me this morning:

"You don't need an invitation before you start moving in the direction of your righteous goals.

You don't need to wait for permission to become the person you were designed to be. 

You don't need to wait to be invited to serve..."

- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf -

{photo from lds.org}

"How long can rolling waters remain impure?"

When you move forward in faith,

Everything else falls into place.

Now that's beautiful.

You belong

On the topic of loving people for who they are and appreciating the good in them,
despite their past mistakes and/or experiences:

In short:
I agree.

In long:
Everyone is worthy of love and respect.  We cannot justifiably condemn or judge a person; we don't know what they are going through, or where exactly they're coming from.  We haven't been through it.  We are all human, we all make mistakes, and we can love each other for it!  We can help each other get through our trials, overcome our weaknesses, and seek a better path.  

We can help each other.

I think most people believe this.

And yet, often our interactions with others are only surface-level.  We are too afraid to show what we consider to be weakness, too afraid to be vulnerable to the evaluations of others.  This prevents us from really caring about, connecting with, and reaching out to others--especially those who need us the most.

If we want to change society, if we want to battle the hypocrisy and judgement that we are so quick to see in those around us, we must start within.

Here's the rub:
In order for our culture to become more loving and appreciative,
We ourselves must become more loving and appreciative of others,
And of ourselves.

If we don't love and rejoice in our own goodness, can we truly love and appreciate others?
And if we don't love and appreciate others, how can we expect others to accept us?

We must take that leap of faith by abandoning shame,
ceasing to compare ourselves to others,
and most importantly,
loving God and humbly submitting to His will.

It starts with you.
It starts with me.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'  Actually who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson -

peace out.

Resistance training

Disclaimer:  

These are my own sincere thoughts, and do not represent the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  (except for direct scriptural quotes).  

If I make a mistake, it is my mistake and not the Church's, or God's.

Just look at this guy.  
What do you see?  (Besides the popping veins.)

In my Exercise Physiology class, we've been learning about resistance training and all of its health benefits.  

(There's a ton)

What is the purpose of resistance training?  

To grow, to increase our muscular strength.  How do you think this olympian got shoulders as big as his head?  By training, with weights.  Do you think he had to put a lot of effort into it?  Please.  Just look at his face.

But what if he had been training without weights?  Try doing a bicep curl with no weight.  It's pretty easy, huh?  But will you get stronger doing this exercise without resistance?

It's kind of like life on earth.  

Here, we experience constant opposition.  Constant resistance.  We need it in order to grow, and increase our spiritual strength.  To come out better and closer to God than we were before; closer to our potential than we were before.  It requires all our effort.  Just look at people's faces, and you can tell.  You can really tell.

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."
 - 2 Nephi 2:11 -

"Know thou, my son [or daughter] that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
- Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 -




peace

Perfection

{Image from the Mormon.org Facebook page}

"There is certain frustration awaiting anyone who attempts to perfect themselves without the aid of the Holy Spirit.  It is not uncommon for someone to make a list of everything they feel they should be doing in their lives, then select a few to begin working on.  As wholesome as this sounds, it will only create feelings of impotence and frustration.  Read all the scriptures, and nowhere is there an account of someone achieving spiritual power by making lists of needed improvements, and then working the list!

They all did it by obedience to the voice of the Lord.  You must also; there is no other way...The Lord knows the exact course our lives should take, which sin should be eliminated first, which weakness should be addressed first, and which blessings we will need to accomplish these things...He will direct us, step by step...He will change and purify our hearts...

The way to perfection is not through the disciplining and reshaping of the soul by the will of man, but through the discipline of obedience and reshaping of the soul by God...To what are we to be obedient?  It is the voice of the Lord in our hearts and minds."
(see Enos 1:10-11, 1 Nephi 22:2)

- John M. Pontius -
From the book Following the Light of Christ into His Presence

between those ears

What do your thoughts look like?  Are they full of faith?

"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

- D&C 6:36 -

This is a good depiction of how I visualize the God's admonition to "let virtue garnish thy thoughts." 

(click on the hyperlink for the scripture reference)

peace out

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

we are all different, and that's the way it should be

"While the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ, it is not meant to make us all the same. 
Sometimes we confuse differences in personality with sin. We can even make the mistake of thinking that because someone is different from us, it must mean they are not pleasing to God. This line of thinking leads some to believe...that each one should look, feel, think, and behave like every other. This would contradict the genius of God, who created every man different from his brother, every son different from his father....

"As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are united in our testimony of the restored gospel and our commitment to keep God’s commandments. But we are diverse in our cultural, social, and political preferences.

"The Church thrives when we take advantage of this diversity and encourage each other to 
develop and use our talents to lift and strengthen our fellow disciples."

- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf -
Second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

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]