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.

You matter to Him. Never give up.

Body and Soul

(image from leadershiptraq.com)

I've read that the way we treat our bodies is a reflection of the way we treat our spirits.

That's an inspiring thought.

Do you think that's true?  To what extent?  Can you think of any examples?

If this is true, that would mean there's a connection between the good habits you may have of daily feeding your body nutritious foods, and daily feeding your spirit with the things that nourish it.

It might also mean there's a connection between picking at your zits, and "picking at" or criticizing your personality flaws.

But just as the body can heal itself from anything as small as zit-picking or as large as a broken bone, so too can the spirit recover from any wound, whether it be as "small" as a self-critical thought or as large as a major sin.

Some wounds we can heal on our own.  But some may need professional aid, often from multiple sources.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of all healing.

Because of Him, we can heal from any wound, physical or spiritual.

For more on the Savior's healing power, see mormon.org/beliefs/jesus-christ.

Peace out.

Lift

This hit deep in my soul, and brought tears to my eyes.

Religious or not, this video is a good reminder of what really matters in life.  And how to be happy. 

:-)

Peace.

Hello again!

So, it's been almost a month since my last post.  I guess that's what school will do to ya!

Since the theme of this blog is finding the beauty in life, I thought this video was very applicable.

Elizabeth Smart, a voice for abuse prevention, learned to find beauty in the ugliest of circumstances.

She's not the only one trying to prevent abuse.

I read an early version of this book, CIA Street Smarts, by a retired CIA operations officer, and found it to be a very insightful and applicable guide to being street smart.  Girls, whether you live in the city or in your parents' suburban neighborhood, I highly recommend this book.  The smallest decisions can sometimes prevent the biggest tragedies.  

You are worth it.

Click here to check out the book by B.D. Foley on Facebook! 

Beautiful thing:

People like Elizabeth Smart and B.D. Foley who work to empower women!

Peace out.

It was Mom

Beautiful thing:

Motherhood

I am so, so grateful to my mom, who has been there through thick and thin, and has devoted not only her life, but her whole being to her family.  She is my best friend, my mentor, my mother.

Thanks to all the moms that made my mom possible!

Click here for more on the divine contribution of mothers.

<3

Peace out.

Secrets to Losing Weight: Advice From a 14-Year-Old

Journals can be wonderful things.

I started consistently keeping a journal when I was a tween, and lately I've enjoyed going back to read my old entries.  I came to an entry that I wrote in 2006, when I had started to struggle a little with weight for the first time in my life (but not the last!)

14-year-old Ellie's advice on how to lose weight:

• Stop worrying about it

• Whatever you do, DON’T OBSESS

• Seek Heavenly Father’s help

• Forget about your own selfish desires and give in to the Lord’s will

• When you’re feeling depressed, do something nice for someone else

• Stop focusing on your weaknesses—focus on how you can help other people.

Dang, a 14-year-old came up with that??

;-)

Disclaimer: Of course I also believe in the importance of healthy eating, portion control, physical exercise, discipline, and a good sleep schedule.  But I am pretty impressed that I appreciated the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection at such a young age.  I still stand by my old advice!

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!

The worth of souls is great!

As I was walking down the hall to work this morning,

I passed girl who was looking at the ground, avoiding eye contact as we crossed paths.

I don't know why she avoided eye contact, but it got me thinking--

A lot of times we avoid eye contact with people because we feel shame,

Or, maybe for some reason, we are afraid of what we will see in their eyes.

What will we see?

Maybe we'll see reality? 

 (I wrote a post about that in January)

Sometimes, when we look into another person's face, I think we look for reassurance.

Reassurance of our worth, by their reactions to us.

Maybe that's why we fear to look at another's face sometimes,

--Because we're afraid we won't be validated.

I don't know for sure.

But this I do know:

We each, individually, have 

infinite worth.

Forever, always.  

Your worth is unlimited.  Absolute.  

It will never change.

And the same is true for the worth of everyone else around you.

Yes, everyone.

Next time you look at someone's eyes,

Search not for your own worth,

But seek to get a glimpse of theirs.

{photo from lds.org}

:)

- peace - 

Qualitative Equations

Beauty = Love

Love = Beauty

*As long as it's real beauty, and real love

Just ponder on that for a while till it sinks in.

It's a beautiful, beautiful truth.

:)

Why all this talk about God?

Ever wonder why I can't shut up about God and my religion?

Take 5-10 min to read this talk by David A. Bednar.  He explains why better than I can!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/come-and-see?lang=eng

Peace out!

Drive and Recovery

Sometimes life is like rowing.

In racing a boat, each rower sits on a sliding seat.  They roll forward on their seat to put the oars in the water, then push back with their legs to pull the oar through the water, finishing the stroke.  The rolling up portion, when the oar is out of the water, is called the recovery.  The pushing portion, when the oar is in the water and you’re moving the boat forward, is called the drive.  The drive is where you push with all your strength, and then you’re supposed to relax on the recovery.

{photo from www.carlosdinares.com}

I’ve felt like I’ve been struggling with this ratio.  I tend to want to give a moderate effort during the whole piece, instead of a hard effort during the drive and relaxing during the recovery.  I’m not sure why, but that doesn’t really matter.  What matters is that I do it correctly: hard on the drive, relax on recovery.

The same goes for life.  We have ratios.

There is an appropriate time to rest and recover (e.g. Sundays, bedtime, etc.) and there is an appropriate time to push at full pressure (e.g. work, exercise, school, service).  Give your all during the drive so that you can fully rest during the recovery.  Really rest during the recovery so that you can give your all during the drive.  We are not meant to row through life at a moderate, unchanging intensity. 

Thoughts from Ellie.  Take them as you wish. :) 

Through another's eyes

This video really touched me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8&feature=kp

peace out

Living the dream!

I painted this ceiling tile at the end of my senior year in high school, to be put in the AP Art room.  

The idea was to illustrate myself rejoicing in the bright future and potential in store for my life.

 

Now, 4 years later, I revisited the classroom where my precious ceiling tile is displayed.  Here I am, with a bachelors degree, now pursuing a PhD.  I'm living the dream!  

I'm starting to see that bright, beautiful future unfold before me, behind me, and all around me.  I know that I am in the path God would have me follow.  Oh, what joy, courage, and peace that brings to my heart!  I am so grateful to God for making possible all my deepest desires and hopes.  He loves each and every one of us, His children, more than we can possibly understand... yet. ;-)

How have you seen God guiding you in your life? 

What hopes, dreams, and desires has He enabled you to pursue?

I promise you that He is well aware.  If you don't see His hand in your hopes and dreams... Well, maybe it's time to reassess what those hopes and dreams are.

- peace out -

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

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!--

One step at a time

Mosiah 16:9

"Lead kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom;

Lead thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home;

Lead thou me on!

Keep thou my feet;

I do not ask to see

The distant scene--

One step enough for me."

"Lead, Kindly Light"

LDS Hymn #97

So often we get overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once, to know everything right now.

But that's not how it works.

Just as little children learn to crawl before they walk,

We as God's children are taught and led by Him one step, one stage, at a time.

The way to heaven/eternal joy/salvation (however you choose to describe it) is not by teleportation.

I like to think of it as more like the ladder Jacob saw in a vision.

God knows and loves you.  If you seek to submit to His will, He will reveal what your next step is--

Not the whole plan, but certainly enough for you to move forward.  

Then you apply your faith by actually taking that step.

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.

Changes in the air... Changes in the hair...

In honor of my graduation from BYU....

....I cut my bangs.  Eek!  (I like 'em!)