A glass half full

{image from fearlessmen.com}

This analogy gets a lot of use, and a lot of criticism.  But there's really something to it: we do get a lot more out of life, and are a lot happier, when we focus more on the positive than on the negative.

This works especially when people are involved.  

Progress and happiness grow in love, not fear.  (2 Timothy 1:7)  

People grow through love, not fear.  

When people feel loved rather than criticized

--when they know that they're enough, and worthy of love--

they have a greater capacity to grow, succeed, and serve.

{image from raya's paradise}

That's why I believe "constructive criticism" is rarely constructive (to use the words my Dad has said).  People can often feel attacked and belittled when receiving "constructive" criticism, no matter how true the criticism might be.  In one book of scripture (D&C 121:42-43), God commands us to be gentle, patient, long-suffering and show kindness to others as the general rule -- only giving correction when "moved upon by the Holy Ghost" (aka when God tells us to) and then being sure to express an increase of love towards that person, so that they know we are on their side.

So instead of focusing on what's wrong in others and ourselves, why not seek to catch them doing something right?  

For example,

Why not focus more on how kind it was of so-and-so to open the door for what's-her-name, instead of criticizing so-and-so's outfit?

Why not focus more on how much we enjoy doing [insert physical activity here], instead of hating ourselves for being overweight? 

Why not focus more on how we can make someone's day a little better, instead of wishing what's-her-face would make our day better?

There is a time and a place for the negative.  But in my book, it should be far, far outweighed by the positive.  As we keep our eyes single to hope, gratitude, love, forgiveness, etc., we will be able to see clearly, and recognize that though bad stuff exists, it does not have nearly as much power over us as we once thought.  Even though there are things you want to change in yourself and others, keep working on your goals, and being grateful for the good in yourself, others, and the world around you.  As you do this, the bad stuff will eventually fade away like shadows overpowered by a bright and glorious light.

{image from lds.org}

It's true.  :)

--Big thanks to my Dad who sparked the idea for this post, and both Dad and Mom who proofread this!--

Heaven's help is there

this one-minute video is beautiful.

very, very well worth your time.  i promise.

#didyouthinktopray?

this video brought me back to my knees.

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!)

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.

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

We need food

Our bodies, this world, our lives... are all symbolic of eternal truths.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

{there is beauty in the seemingly insignificant}

peace.

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.

Keep our eyes fixed on Christ

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/matt/14.29?lang=eng#28 

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

 25 And ^ain the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good^acheer; it is I; be not afraid.

 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was ^aafraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little ^afaith, wherefore didst thou ^bdoubt?

 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

- Matthew 14 - 

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

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

a friend

we all want a friend 

who understands us completely, 

fully, 

and loves us 

unconditionally. 

and who is strong enough 

to understand what we're going through, 

but still lift us up, 

encourage us, 

and inspire us to be better.  

who we can 

confide 

everything 

in.

that's the Savior.

{peace}

Why we fear

[Disclaimer:  Most of what I post on this blog is not official LDS doctrine, as far as I know.  Just my thoughts and beliefs.]

Have you ever been afraid to come close to God?

Have you ever been afraid to really open your heart up to Him?

To truly be converted?

To commit all that you are, do, and desire, to Him?

To really feel His love, and accept it into your heart?

To believe Him, and trust His word?

If you've never felt that way... you're probably not human.  ;)  Or you're just a saint.

[no real reason for this picture, except that it's beautiful! :)]

It hit me the other day, why I'm sometimes afraid to come close to Christ.

I know He's all-loving.  I know He's true.  I know I can trust Him...

I found the answer in Ether 12:27: (these are the Lord's words:)

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness."

That's it.  

I know that when I come unto Him, He helps me see things as they really are.  ...Which necessarily includes seeing my weaknesses.  And aren't we humans so good at avoiding our faults/failures/weaknesses?

But the verse goes on:

"I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Don't I want to become stronger?

Don't I want to become more like Christ?

The only way that can happen is if I come unto Him and, through faith on His atonement, let Him turn my weaknesses into strengths, until every last impurity is refined into perfection... 

Slowly, but surely, with faith.

So I want to know my weaknesses.  

I want to know them so that I can do all that's in my power to improve on them, and let Christ take care of the rest.

I know that Jesus Christ lives.  He knows and loves each and every one of us, His children.  I know He has been through every little (and big) thing that we've ever been through, and will go through, and He knows how to succor His people.  

Come unto Him, despite any fears you may have, and you will never regret that decision.

{beautiful thing}

The infinite atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

peace out.

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

A Cry For Help

I came across this quote by Marvin J. Ashton from a speech he gave at BYU:

"What a wonderful situation it would be if we could with feeling and understanding know that God is there, the Church is there, friends are there, leaders and families are there to give us comfort, direction, and reassurance. 

Oh, that there were more people inclined when special situations arose to say to a classmate or an associate, 

'I need to be sure that you are there while I am going through this present trying situation.'"

...

Wow.

Why does this touch my heart so?

I think it's because, I know I struggle with that.

Talk about vulnerability.  And trust.

It's hard to imagine anything that can make you more vulnerable than humbling yourself enough to admit your helplessness and trust another person enough to actually ask for their support in your time of greatest weakness... instead of putting on a mask of strength, pretending you've got it all down because you're afraid that if anyone saw your knees shaking, they would lose respect for you.  Or worse, desert you.  Which would, to our confused minds, prove our worthlessness.

It's funny how God gave us all thorns in the flesh for the duration of this earth life.
Without them, without our trying situations, would we reach out to others like we necessarily do?
Would we humble ourselves enough to accept the aid of another?
Or give our support to another?

And that's why we have friends, family, teachers, churches, mentors, advisors--so we can learn to both ask for help, and give it of ourselves.
To ask with our whole hearts, and give with our whole hearts.

This brings us together as friends.
As families.
As humanity.

And it's beautiful,
and it's humbling,
 and it's peaceful.


Oh,
so peaceful.