“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” -Karen Ravn

WE are in control of our lives, of our happiness, and of our destiny. Only through ourselves, with God's infinite power, can we achieve greatness. No one else can grant us with that.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow."

These words are so powerful. Need I say more?

The Power.

"There are powers inside of you which, if your could discover and use, would make of you everything you ever dreamed or imagined you could become." -Orison Swett Marsden

"...the estranged self, hidden with its inexhaustible potential, lies undiscovered by many people who die without even knowing that it exists." -Kazuo Chiba/William Gleanson

~Only you can unlock and unlease the divine power within you to change the world, one step at a time, by knowing your potential, worth, and capacity to achieve magnificent things. -Me

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.