Tis the Season.

Christmas is my favorite holiday, for many reasons.  I love the lights, music, and holiday parties.  I love that it is a time to show family and friends how much you care about them.  I love that Christmas creates a season centered on giving and a holiday spirit that can be felt just about anywhere.

I came across this video today and I think it is the coolest way to spread Christmas cheer!  Take a look:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152489854472061&fref=nf

This video helped me to realize how much power an act of service can have!  I want to spend my holiday season creating good memories and great feelings, just like in this video clip.

Cell Phones & Social Media.

Have you ever noticed how often people are on the cell phones or on a social media site during the day?  Have you ever noticed the amount of time that you spend on your cell phone or on social media during the day?  Whether I am walking around town, walking to school, driving my car, or sitting on the bus, people around me are always on cell phones and social media websites.

I can't help but ask myself what happened to normal conversations.  What happened to just walking and looking at your surroundings.  What happened to people watching and deep thinking instead of using your cell phone during any spare moment you have.  I think it’s sad that we are constantly on technological devices.  We are missing out on the opportunity to meet new people or share a smile.  I feel like technology runs our lives sometimes!
Over the last few weeks I have been working on spending my spare time in other places.  I’ve been able to write in my journal, read, and spend more time in conversations with my family and friends to say a few.  I do enjoy social media, but I know my time can be much more productive in other places.  I have learned to enjoy and appreciate the things around me even more since I have spent less time on my cell phone and social media.

Thankful.

Have you ever noticed that a beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset?  If you wake up and already have the mindset that it’s going to be a tough day, chances are that your day is going to be tough.  If you wake up and decide that it’s going to be a great day, chances are that it is going to be a great day.  Think about how your day would change if you were to take just one minute every morning and think about the things that you are thankful for.  Think about the blessings that you have and how it is a privilege just to be alive and healthy!  Sometimes I take my health for granted and forget just how blessed I am to have eyes that see, ears that hear, and a mind that allows me to learn new concepts in school.  I take the roof over my head, the heat that keeps me warm, and the food that keeps me full for granted.  Sometimes I even forget to think about the blessing that it is to have a family that loves and cares for me.  Especially with thanksgiving right around the corner, I am going to take a minute every day to count my blessings and realize just how blessed I really am.

Define Yourself.

Last week in one of my classes, we were asked to write down the things that made up who we are.  Many of the responses that were given were based on outward appearance.  Some examples of the responses are white, ethnic, tall, short, Mormon, Catholic, volleyball player, dancer, runner, brunette, blonde, sister, brother, democrat, republican, etc.  This assignment got me thinking about what truly defines me.  Is it my hair color or my body size?  Is it the clothes that I wear or the sports that I play?  Is it the political party that I agree with?  Why are those the words that everyone chooses (including myself) to define who we are?

I know that the things that matter most are on the inside, so I asked myself the reason why I define myself based on outer characteristics. I am not sure exactly why I define myself in those ways when people ask, but from now on I am going to work hard on describing myself through inner characteristics.

Take a Deep Breath.

We were assigned to give in-class presentations individually, and I was assigned to give mine on the first day that presentations were given.  We would give a five-minute presentation four times, but to a different audience each time.  I was nervous and did my best to practice as much as I could over the weekend so that I felt prepared.  Even after my preparation, I did not know if I had prepared in the “right” way and I felt nervous that I would mess up and get a bad grade.

I arrived to class early on the day of my presentation to make sure that I could find the correct room and to make sure that I would not be flustered for my first presentation.  I was able to set up my flip chart and go over my notes one last time before I started.

My first presentation was a little rough.  The audience could tell that I was nervous and I felt a little embarrassed because I knew that I could do better.  That’s when I decided that before the next few presentations, I would just take a deep breath and slow down so that I could think clearly and give the presentation to the best of my ability. The next few presentations were much better than the first, and I believe it is simply due to the fact that I was able to relax right before.  I took a deep breath; I tried not to think too hard about what I would be doing because I knew that I had prepared enough to give a great presentation.

Although I can apply the feedback that I was given to the next presentations I give, I can also apply what I learned about myself to my everyday life.  If I can just take a deep breath and try to relax before I do a challenging or stressful task, I know that I will perform better.  I will be able to think clearly and it will help me to perform to the best of my ability.

Dependable.

This week, I have learned the importance of being dependable. There was a scenario at work that ended up being quite stressful because one employee did not show up for a work shift like she was supposed to (we will call her employee A). Unexpectedly, another employee (we will call her employee B) had to work a double shift in order to cover for employee A. Employee B had to stay for the double shift because if she was not there, we would have had only one employee on staff. In order for our job to be done correctly, we need at least two employees at all time. This all could have been avoided if employee A had let everyone know in advance that she could not make it to work, or if she had found someone to cover her shift beforehand. I understand that sometimes things come up last minute, but if possible it is always a good idea to let co-workers know in advance when there is a problem.

 To be dependable means to be trustworthy and reliable. It is important to be dependable so that things can get done efficiently and there are not mix-ups. For one to be dependable they must be responsible for their own actions and they must be willing to take action when a task needs to be done.

This situation has taught me to make sure that I am always taking responsibility for my own actions and to always own up when I make mistakes. This situation taught me to look at things from my co-workers’ perspectives and to take a look at how my actions will affect everyone around me. I know I am not perfect, but I can always put forth a great effort to make sure that I do not cause any issues at work.

Everyone Has a Story.

Have you ever felt like you cannot understand why someone acts the way that they do?  Have you ever judged someone, and then later heard their story and realized that your assumptions were completely wrong?  I know that I have.


A couple of years ago, I heard a quote that has not left my mind, and I hope that it never does.  It said, “There isn’t a person you wouldn’t love if you could read their story.”  How many times have you listened to someone’s background story and decided that you did not love them for who they are?  Your answer is probably similar to mine, and my answer is never.  When you listen to someone’s life story, you start to understand why they make the decisions that they do.  You start to recognize that if you had grown up in their exact same household, had their exact same life experiences, and had their exact same strengths and weaknesses that you would turn out to be the EXACT same way that they are.  


A couple semesters ago, I had a classmate who I was put into a group with named “Joe.”  I had a really hard time understanding Joe because he did things that I found to be inappropriate for class.  For instance, Joe would raise his hand in the middle of a lecture and ask the professor if he wanted any of the extra peach slices that Joe had leftover from his breakfast.  Joe would also come into class late, panting and out of breath, and announce to the entire class why he was late.  He was hardly ever discreet about anything else that he had to do such as taking off his coat or picking up a dropped pencil.  Much of the class found Joe to be irritating; I hate to say that I did as well at first.  Just a few short days into the semester though, I realized that I needed to change my attitude or else I would feel miserable during this particular class.  This is when I found that quote and my perspective completely changed.  I learned to enjoy and accept Joe and his quirks.  I knew that he was doing the best that he could for his circumstances.


There isn’t a person that you wouldn’t love if you could read their story . . .

When Life Gives You More Than You Can Stand, Kneel.

This last week, I felt like I was constantly stressed out.  Between work, assignments, tests, and everyday tasks I had been a little bit overwhelmed!  I had a lot going on, and I honestly did not know how I was going to handle it all.

Then I found a quote that I hope I can always remember.  “When life gives you more than you can stand, kneel.”  I find this quote to be completely true.  Every single time I have decided to kneel down and ask my Heavenly Father for help, I have always felt better about the situation I am in.  I know that he hears me and knows what I need.  He knows better than anyone how to comfort me in times of need.

I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of my Heavenly Father.  I know he is always there for me.  No matter where I am, what time in the day it is, or the situation I am in, I know that he will help me.  He will guide me to do what is best for me, even if I don’t understand it at the time.  I know that with Him, I can handle anything that is put in my life path.

Can We Auto-Correct Humanity?

I watched a video today in one of my classes that really got me thinking about this digital age that we have entered.  I have thought about this digital age before, but the video touched me in a way that made me feel motivated to put down my electronics.  I feel motivated to stop caring what the world around me thinks and start enjoying life for what it is!  


Why do we feel the need to take a picture of every meal we eat?  Why do we feel that we must post a picture or video on Instagram or Facebook to prove our worth; to prove that we have a life worth living?  

How many beautiful moments have you missed because you were behind a screen trying to record it for social media instead of enjoying that period of time?  How many conversations have failed because one person decided that social media was more important than the individuals they were with?  This is digital insanity.

Right now, I am challenging myself to put down my phone whenever I am around people. The people I am surrounded by will always be more important than any social media website that I may have the desire to be on at the moment. I challenge all of you to do the same.

Something Sweet.

I work as a secretary for an office about 20 minutes from home.  I enjoy the people that I work with, and I really cannot complain about the tasks I am expected to do either. Sometimes the office gets busy and stressful, but what job doesn’t right?

Today, one of the guys in our building (we call him Gordo) came into the secretary office and started a conversation about candy.  There were five of us secretaries working, and we talked about the best candy of the 1990’s and of the early 2000’s; we talked about our favorite candy from childhood and adulthood.  After talking for about 20 minutes, Gordo said that he had to run an errand and left the secretary office.

Gordo returned about a half hour later with an entire grocery sack of candy for each secretary!  Each grocery sack had five or six large bags of candy in it.  The bags were individualized, and Gordo remembered the favorites of each one of us.

This act of kindness really got me thinking about how something “sweet” can go a long way.  Something as simple as a smile, a phone call, or a compliment to someone you do or do not know can brighten anyone’s day!  You never know how much someone could need that simple act of kindness.

Where do we go from here?  From now on, I am going to make sure that I do at least one act of kindness each day.  Whether it is something big or little, I know that I can accomplish at least one every day.  Not only can this help someone else to feel great, but I know that I always feel good after helping someone else.  Something “sweet” can go a long way!

"Oh how we need each other!"

This week, as I listened to the General Women’s Conference, I was amazed at how many great quotes I heard.  I wrote down as many quotes as I could, but I know that I missed quite a few.  Today, I had a chance to look up quotes from all the General Women’s Meetings and I came across one that hit me hard.  In April of 2014, Bonnie L. Oscarson said, “Oh how we need each other!”

Why do we feel the need to take on the burdens of life on our own?  Why, sometimes, do we feel too headstrong to ask for help when we need it the most?  Why do feel weak at times when we ask for help?  We all have different strengths and weaknesses.  We all have different talents.  I don’t know about you, but I have never compared myself to someone and won.

We need each other to lean on when times get tough.  We need each other to celebrate with when life brings you something exciting.  We need one another to socialize and laugh with.  When we can lean on someone other than ourselves, it can bring a sense of security and dependability.  We are also given the chance to learn from other individuals when we ask for help or guidance.

For example: I know that I can rely on my husband if I ever need advice or a friend to speak with.  He has helped me learn how to enjoy the little things in life and how to live in the moment!  He has also taught me how to be more giving, loving, and spiritual.  Jace has helped me to open my mind to different ways of thinking.  Without his personal knowledge and experience, I probably would not have the chance to grow in the same ways.  I need him, just like he needs me.

There have been multiple times when I have been lifted up by a friend’s words, or even brought down by a person’s attitude.  Without those words of a friend, I may not have been able to get out of the slump I was in and experience joy.  Without that person’s attitude, I may not have experienced that sadness I felt.  Without that sadness I could not fully experience joy either.  I have needed experiences in my life from both kinds of people in order to learn and grow to my full potential!

My point with this entire post is that we need each other.  We should not be afraid to ask for help and guidance from God, a friend, or a family member if we ever need or want it.  Whether it is advice, a priesthood blessing, or words of comfort we need each other!  I am going to work on asking for help when I need it and I will do my best to make sure that God, my family, my friends, and my peers know that I am always here to help when it is needed.

Choose to Laugh.

After going to the LDS Ogden Temple Dedication this week, I started thinking about some of the best quotes I have heard from people of the LDS faith.  One that has always stuck with me is from Majorie Hinckley.  She said, “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it.  You either have to laugh or cry.  I prefer to laugh.  Crying gives me a headache.”

This quote is one that I want to live by!  How much better could each of us feel if each time we could laugh or cry, we just laughed?  Let’s be honest, sometimes a good cry is the only thing that you need.  At times when there is a choice though, the best option would be to laugh!  Laughing makes you happy and relieves stress.  I can’t think of a time when I laughed and did not feel good, or at least better, about my situation or what was going on around me. 

So what that I remembered this quote. What am I going to do about it now? I'm going to remember this quote when I want to cry. I'm going to remember that laughing can always help you feel better about a situation. I am going to try to laugh instead of cry when a hard situation comes along. Because truthfully, doesn't crying give everyone a headache?

Be YOUnique.

We all have different hair color, eye color, and skin color.  We are all made in different shapes and sizes and there are billions of options for clothing and hair styles.  We all have different experiences and background stories.  There are certain things that we each wish we could have or desperately want to achieve.  However, we need to remember that we are all different and that is okay.

Imagine putting everything you have into a project and feeling overwhelmed by how wonderful it turned out.  You are so proud of this treasure that you want to show it off to the world!  It is a one-of-a-kind and absolutely nothing else in the world could replace it.  You love it with all of your heart and could not imagine changing one thing about it, because you know that you made it absolutely perfect.  Now ask yourself this: how would you feel if someone criticized this work of yours?  How would you feel if they put it down, and told you that it was not as great as you believed it was.  When they criticize your work, in a way they are criticizing you.

When God created you, he created you perfectly.  You are a one-of-a-kind that cannot be replaced by anything else.  God loves you and cannot imagine changing one thing about you because he knows that you are perfect just the way that you are.  Now imagine how he feels when you criticize yourself for an imperfection that you see.  When you put yourself down, ultimately you are putting God down as well.  

This scenario helps me to realize that we are all unique.  We are all different, and that is perfectly okay!  In God’s eyes, we are all exactly how he intended us to be.  What more do we need?  He knows of our quirks and the little imperfections that we see.  He knows that we make mistakes and he created a plan to help us with that.

Now, I am going to try to remember this and implement it in my life every day.  Every time I feel insecure about something, I am going to remind myself that I am the way I was always intended to be.  I am going to try to remind others that they are perfect just the way that they are as well.  I am a firm believer that small changes in thought processes can go a long way.  I hope that by helping others to see the good in themselves I can make a positive change in the world.