I just LOVE this.

"A characteristic of a depressed spirit is an overconcentration on cares and concerns—an unwise wallowing in feelings of foreboding. What a difference it would make if, instead, we took account of our strengths, raised our eyes off the ground, and gave ourselves credit for how far we have already come and how much we have already achieved."By Elder David S. Baxter Of the Seventy

HAPPY.

"May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load, May the mist of Irish magic shorten every road. May you taste the sweetest pleasures that fortune e're bestowed. And may all your friends remember all the favors you are owed. " -Irish Blessing

"For our light affliction, which is both for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor 4:17-18

This scripture is profound to me. I love everything that it means. The strongest impression I wanted to emphasize on was the LIGHT affliction with the WEIGHT of glory. Isnt it interesting to think that through our Savior, his atoning sacrifice, and through the salvation of God...our afflictions, or burdens, or sufferings can be made light...while our GLORY, or ability to obtain glory, is a weight, or symbolized as heavy. I dont think this meant to be portrayed as a bad thing that will carry you downward. I think it means something to keep you firm and true-in knowing the glory that can be given to you, if you choose it. I think of it this way: when you buy balloons...often times you purchase a little heavy weight to hold the balloons from flying all over the place, to keep them there, together, united, and beautifully synced while floating in the air. Its the same way with us-our testimonies-and our spirituality. Knowing that we can obtain God's Glory is our weight, keeping us afloat and not drifting us away into worldly things...things that dont matter..and things that wont get us back to where our ultimate goal is. With this knowledge-our afflictions can be made light. Keeping things in an eternal perspective can allow us to see whats in front of us NOW, as a stepping stone onto our path that leads us to glory, instead of a boulder blocking our way to anywhere but misery. God truly is aware of us. If we choose to follow him, he will guide us and make it easier, than if we had done it all ourselves. We dont understand everything...often times, we dont understand anything. But he knows. And he is leading us exactly to where we need to be. We must trust in that. In his goodness. In his glory. In his love.

Kindness

"It is all too easy to consider kindness a secondary virtue, the one we reach for only as a last resort. But if we look at the strength of kindness-the way it reminds us of a sense of inner abundance, the way it helps us feel connected to others instead of isolated and apart-we can appreciate kindness as the force it is. Kindness isnt an ally of foolishness or gullibility, but rather an ally of wisdom and courage." -Christine

~I love, love, LOVE this quote. This is the epitomy of the perfect description of kindness, what it stands for, and how it should be perceived. So many people in the world today, view kindness as weak, passive, soft, or unattractive. I, for one, DISAGREE completely! Kindness is the way we show pure love. And love, is exactly the action that emulates God. Kindness isnt what you do...it is what and who you are.

"This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for you when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life." -unknown

"The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my exsistence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed."

~I love this quote. It pretty much sums up alot of how many people may feel. During tough times, its always hard to be "smiley" or "bubbly" or even an encouragement to be around. But thats OK. Tomorrow is a new day. No matter what comes, you can always try again tomorrow. And realize your blessings...that today...there is something good. As in any day. There is always something to be grateful for.

One Step At a Time.

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go." -Hermann Hesse Have you ever had to let go of something, a desire or dream, or even a person, and with everything in you-you did not want to-but you knew you had to? Sometimes we think that because we are able to hold tight and firm, that we are being strong. When in some cases, we must let go completely in order to show true strength. This is a hard concept to fathom at times. Doesnt always make a lot of sense. I have succumbed to the fact that I will not understand 3/4 of my life-why things happen, why certain people enter my life when they dont even get to stay, why situations are brought upon me, why I cant ever have my own desires. I think this is because I have become selfish, thinking that my way is the right way, that my choice (if not selfish thinking) is the right choice, and that I can have my own righteous desires and they should come to pass. This is wrong. ha. I have had to humble myself a lot lately, and realize that this isnt true. Until my entire will becomes the Lords will for me, I will always struggle with this-as will anyone. Its not up to me to dictate all the great and incredible things to happen in my life. Only the lord knows the full picture..and only he can be the one to lead me there. Only he knows all the answers, and only through him can we obtain pure strength, and ultimately... happiness. Its by giving up our will, and allowing God's will to be the will we desire, that we then show true...honest...pure...STRENGTH. Strength in God, in his power, in his miracles....and strength to get through every moment of every day, even when it seems impossible to do so at times. He is our one and only anchor. Find your true strength. Your strength, through the Lord.

Power of Darkness

"Neither Satan nor any other power can destroy or undermine your growing character." -Elder Richard G. Scott "Beware the Tempation to retreat from a good thing (or a bad thing). If it was right when you prayed about it (or wrong) and trusted in it, it is right now." -Elder Jeffery R. Holland (my favorite apostle) -During my entire life, I have always been aware of the power that the adversary (or in other cases-evil, negativity, darkness, or Satan) has over us-it is very strong-especially for members of the true and living church on the earth. The closer you are to God, the stronger that power is, the more it increases temptation in your life. This I have experienced many times in my life. Three points I want to make concern this topic: 1. You are what you think you are-dont let the adversary allow you to believe anything differently. You are a choosen son/daughter of God, regardless of what you do, or your belief in him, or the life you choose to lead. YOU are part of his heavenly family. He created you in HIS image. We all have his light dwelling inside of us. We choose to believe that or not-but it is truth. The world will tell you anything to grab a hold of you and make you think you are worthless and nothing, if you arent "this mold" that the world has created. If you arent a size zero and have flawless skin, and can achieve the impossible-you arent a desired woman to the world. If you dont have muscles the size of boulders and can have a successful career making millions- you arent an appealing man to the world. This is FALSE. You are who you are because God created you that way. WHO you are is much more important than what you look like or how successful you can become. GROW to become more like him, every single day. LOVE yourself the way he does. Walk around in life knowing that you are priceless. Your worth is GREAT in the sight of God, and THAT is what matters. 2. Turn to God in times of decision. However small or undermining that decision may seem-it could ultimately alter your entire life. If he says no, dont do it. If he says yes, do it-no questions asked. Have a relationship with him, TRUST him, that he knows best-because HE DOES. If he says to not go to a certain party, or not date a certain person, or to stay home instead of going out, LISTEN TO IT. If he says yes..I want you to do --blank-- or go to school --here--or whatever...DONT question it. Act. Every time we try to take control of our own lives-it never ends the way we want to. Most often times, it ends in a lot of heartache, betrayal, sadness, hurt, or guilt. This is a very hard thing to do at times, especially when you do not understand the meaning behind whatever answer is given. But in the end-the reason will be known and it will bless your life. This too I have experienced many times in my life. Believe in him, and allow him to guide you to reach your fullest potential. 3. Pray to always have God's spirit with you. It can be the only thing to save you from a bad choice, or the dark moments of sadness, or negative actions. In the lowest of low moments of your life, the only thing to help you through is God. Sometimes he works through other people-and grants you with a friend to show up randomly at your door. Sometimes he comforts you with words from a song that you were inspired to listen to. Sometimes...his spirit is there, to hold you and be with you while you cry. No matter what way, he is always there. He never leaves us. And if we choose it, he will always show his love in whatever way he chooses to grant us with it. ~Be aware of God's love. Of your worth. Of Satans power. Of the constant need to have goodness and spirituality lifting you upward. His strength. His peace. And..his blessings.

If you want..

"If you want to change the world, begin by changing yourself. If you want the world to be more fair, treat the world fairly even when you are treated unfairly. If you want the world to be more kind, treat the world with kindness and return a blessing for every insult. SHOW the world by your good actions-not by empty protest or violence-that you are willing to love according to what you profess to believe."

-Every change of heart, every change of circumstance, every ounce of happiness comes from YOU.

Standing For Truth

Moroni 10:32

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God"

-There is a painting up at the temple visitors center-Book of Mormon painting exhibit-that is mesmerizing with this scripture underneath. Its a picture of Moroni holding one of his "friends" in battle that had been slain. He is weeping...saddened by it. This painting and scripture stuck out to me so much. Its applicable to my life right now, and it is absolute truth that we CANNOT deny Christ. No matter what. No matter who we may loose in our lives, no matter what chastisement we may bare, no matter what the world tries to convince us of. Christ is our Savior and redeemer who died for us, and lives for us, and loves US. HE is our way back to living in Heaven in happiness and peace. HE is the answer to all life's troubles. HE is the way, the truth, and the life. Love him with EVERYTHING you have. Stand true to what YOU believe to be true, no matter what, and in the end...you WILL be blessed for doing so. Sometimes it is not the easiest thing to do. Sometimes we get hurt, or loose people we love in the process...but in the end, the only person that matters is the person who walks every moment in life with you-never changing-always constant-Our Lord and Savior. In the end...it will be worth all we endure. And we can come to learn more of the Saviors love for us through it all.