BE.

Life has a funny way of showing us what it thinks we need to be. All that surrounds us, the media, the people, the ever evolving change of each generation...constantly trying to create this idea of how we should act, think, look, dress, and express ourselves. If we don't fit into that mold created for us, we are no longer suited as acceptable. Though being "different" has always been desired, its never truly been appreciated to just BE. No pretense, no work at being SOMETHING. Just enjoying the ability to BE ourselves, whatever that looks like. We don't have to try to be something we are not meant to be. Nor should we just accept being nothing. But being our BEST selves, that very almost perfect version of who we want to be, and who we know we can be...that is ideal.

Droplets

Tonight I was sitting in a church meeting, gathering all the youth and talking to them about service and love. One of the speakers mentioned Mother Teresa, and her comment about if she were to do nothing, it would be as if one drop of the ocean was lost. Speaking how every single person, no matter who they are, can make a difference, even if it is small...it makes ALL the difference. I found this quote from her on many different websites and I just wanted to share my thoughts on it for a moment.

Life is not about riding through the storms...making due with what we have, and just enduring it. Its about finding joy along the journey, even if its not the easiest or happiest journey. This is something I struggle with, as I am sure many people do. We feel accomplished that we are enduring with what we are given. But its not about enduring. Its about enduring well. And as we endure, we must learn to be happy, and learn to love. That is the entire point of coming to this earth. So why not make someone else happy in the process of the journey you are on to accomplish the same thing? It will make all the difference, and allow you the opportunity to enjoy your life more. Wherever you go, share your love. NO matter how small, or simple. Show you care. Get out of yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and just be kind. Be selfless. Not all the time. But a lot of the time. In this, you find true happiness.

Life is Precious.

As you are faced with death, through family/friends/acquaintances...life seems to bring on a whole new meaning for a time. This meaning should be life altering, and often times it is. But when it comes down to the core...the truth is, that LIFE IS PRECIOUS. Beyond our understanding. Something that, if we truly had the knowledge behind this truth, I think we would all look at the world a little differently. I find it a beautiful thing when you come close to a special someone who has gone to the other side. The world will never be the same, there will always be that little spark, once inflamed by a special spirit, now gone. Granted, I believe in life here after, and I know they are doing a marvelous work on the other side. It makes it easier to die, knowing you will be reunited with those you love waiting for you. But that doesn't change the fact that mortal life, living breath is as precious as the sun and moon in the sky. Never truly comprehending the exact miraculous creation that we are as human beings. Each one of us, being children of a powerful God, have a divine purpose and reason for being here, where we are, at this time. That makes life, your specific life, precious. Knowing there is a reason for all things. Some people come into this life to change history (the lightbulb, electricity, technology, etc.), Some come to change others lives and how they live (Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, etc). And some come just to create life and live under God (mothers, fathers, grandmothers...family). Just by knowing that every soul is precious in the sight of God, and that every one of us is important in some way, makes life a little bit more beautiful and magical, don't you think? Never underestimate how important you are as an individal. You never know the lives you can touch, or even change, just by being you. Love the life you have been given. Embrace the knowledge that you are incredible. To yourself, to others around you, and to a loving immaculate God. You ARE precious.

Beauty.

"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness."

This is such a powerful quote. To me, this is what defines pure REAL beauty. Softness, kindness, sweetness. Those are characteristics that make a person, any person--into something beautiful. Too often we find that in the world we are surrounded by ugly people--people filled with HATE, ENVY, JEALOUSLY, REVENGE, BITTERNESS, GREED, DISHONESTY, etc. What happened to decency? Honesty? Love? Charity? Consideration? Times are changing, and humanity is being thrown out the window. We live in a world full of selfishness. But that doesnt mean we cant be the ones setting the stage for a better tomorrow. Find your gift, share it with the world, and let people see YOUR true beauty. Let others come unto Christ, and desire to know him better, because they know you--seeing him in your countenance. That is what will make you a truly beautiful person.

"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

I felt like this quote was the perfect opening to my come-back post. Its been almost a year since my last one, and a lot has changed being a mother (of the cutest boy ever). But one thing has not changed--my heart and desire to constantly overcome weaknesses. This is my newest one. Enjoy! :)

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." -Matt 7:1-2

I am sure, as women, we all struggle with this. It is one of the most natural things to do sometimes--judge others. Even when I dont mean to, I catch myself making a judgement on someone I DONT EVEN KNOW, simply from something that was said or seen. Not always negative, but definitely not always accurate. Why do we do this? I am not entirely sure--I just blame it on the imperfection of man. haha But in all seriousness, this is the furthest attribute to becoming more Christ like. 
I, for one, hate when people judge me, especially when they dont even know me. Too young, immaturity, too naive, not capable, or my favorite--ditzy. So I like to laugh, sue me! Life is hard enough as it is to be serious all the time. This one I have learned the hard way. But regardless, no one likes to be judged! Just like the saying, "dont judge a book by its cover", or the one I quoted earlier "be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". You have NO idea the struggles someone else is going through. Everyone acts the way they do for a reason (even if it is unknown to them). I cannot begin to imagine the battles that people I have judged, have or are going through--if I knew, I would be ashamed of myself. I am always trying to understand people and why they do the things they do, and yet I still catch myself creating judgements when I shouldnt, even when I understand WHY. What is the answer? How do we overcome this? Just like for everything else, the answer is LOVE. You cant judge someone when you learn to truly love them. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Think the best of them, until they give you a real reason to think the worst. Most often times they wont. People are just people, struggling the same way I am...and you are. When you find reasons to love, hate and judgement leave. Its that simple. Not always that easy...but I know, from personal experience, that when we choose to love people, in spite of all our weaknesses, we ultimately see the beauty and the blessing behind it. Lets LOVE. <3 font="">

“We must never lose sight of the strength of the women. … It is mothers who most directly affect the lives of their children. … It is mothers who nurture them and bring them up in the ways of the Lord. Their influence is paramount. …

“… They are the creators of life. They are the nurturers of children. They are the teachers of young women. They are our indispensable companions. They are our co-workers in building the kingdom of God. How great is their role, how marvelous their contribution.” -President Gordon B. Hinckley

This is a quote from our past beloved prophet...that really struck me. I don't know if its because Im about to become a mother myself, or if I feel strongly about this because of the influence of mothers I see around me, but it absolutely hit home for me. I feel, in society as it is today, we often forget or don't notice or devalue the influence of women-especially MOTHERS. I feel, it is because of that-our lack in valuing our mothers-that mothers aren't getting the proper notice, and therefore feel they aren't good enough in today's world. Not being able to juggle a hundred different things at once, and now try to do it ALL, resorting in more focus on worldly things, and less focus on the home and rearing children. Because of this...I feel that is why our continual generations of children...are becoming less and less respectful, strong, and ambitious. As mothers, its our duty to rear our children in the right things...and as President Hinckley stated, bring them up in the ways of the Lord. WE create life. WE nurture children. WE are the teachers. WE are the indispensable companions to our spouses. WE have a role in this life, and in the lives of those around us. If we realize how important our roles are as mothers, and the effect we CAN have, I think it will help us to want to encourage other mothers around us to feel the same way. And if all of us, as a group, as women of society, encourage each other into being the best mothers we can be, imagine how much stronger our children will turn out. We may not receive any validation or encouragement from the world. We may not be valued by being "just" a stay a home mom. We may even be looked down upon at not being a career women or having the best fit bodies or the cutest Pinterest house. But that is NOT our role, nor our calling. We were not given the power to procreate and bring life into this world just to focus on not being like the Jones's. We have a sacred obligation, and we need to stick together and lift each other up. Our influence is so powerful, it can make or break an entire generation-and the generations to come. IMAGINE how POWERFUL that IS. If only we truly understood the power within ourselves...like the Lord does. Love yourself, and your children enough to put the priorities of the Lord first. Thats what truly matters. That is what will bring more righteous children into the world, and that is what will make a difference.

Be Your BEST Self.

This blog has become my absolute favorite. I have read so many posts and I am truly obsessed. This one in particular is one I wanted to share on my own blog. Mara has a beautiful way of putting everything into perspective, and I love the step by step form of how to find the perfect you! Please check it out!!!

http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2011/11/become-your-best-self_11.html

I have always wanted to focus on this topic. 

My favorite thing in the world is love, as anyone who knows me--its my theme of life. But love is such a general topic. I usually focus on love coming from our Savior Jesus Christ-how he is are all-and how he is what will get us to where we need to me. Without him...we are nothing. We need his love, as we need to love him. I also like to focus on loving others--this is where true growth comes from, when we can expand our love to the outside world. Especially with those that are hard to love. But today... and this year's theme, is going to be loving YOURSELF. I have found that all these focus's are correlated to each other. We obviously cant have one without the other. But from personal experience, we cant really fully learn to LOVE others and LOVE the Lord...until we first, love ourselves. 

The blog post link shares many different ways of being the best YOU. I agree wholeheartedly with everything that Mara shares. She took the words out of my mouth! But to get to the point of really focusing on wanting to grow is that desire within ourselves that she starts with. How do we gain a desire to want to love ourself better? If anyone is like me, this just sounds selfish off the bat! Love MYSELF better? haha But honestly...there is so much power behind that. If we cannot except ourselves the way we are, and want to strive to be better for US as individuals, why/how could we possibly deeply love other people, when we dont even want/or think we need to love ourselves? We cant. Finding a happy silent confidence within ourself is just the ticket. Knowing we have worth, we have something to offer to the world, and desiring to actually share that. Life is what YOU make of it. Not anyone else. Believe in yourself. Know you are capable of great, amazing things. Find that strength within you...and become the best version of YOU.

"Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." 

-Charles Dickens

Love

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.

-Alexander Smith

Food for thought.

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe

“When in doubt, choose change.” -Lily Leung

and my personal favorite....

“Lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at you.” -David Brinkle

These quotes all have to do with overcoming the obvious. Someone hurting you. Adversity. Obstacles. The things that are inevitable and yet we constantly face. Lets never forget who we are. What we stand for. And that we MATTER. No matter how hard it gets..no matter who lets us down...no matter what life throws us at. We are a person...a human being...a miracle from God. We have feelings...we have emotions. We are allowed to feel, and to be. BE YOU. <3