Are we there yet?.....  Are we there yet?  How much longer?  If you have been on a road trip with kids maybe you have heard this question asked multiple times.   So many times we do the same thing in our life- we forget that life is not a destination- rather it is a journey.  And if we are always waiting to "get there"  we are missing some beautiful things life has for us.  Part of enjoying the journey is remembering to celebrate our successes along the way.  

For two months now I have been training for a 5k. Running a race is something I have done in the past and I enjoyed it, however, this training has been very different for me.  After the birth of my last son I was told that it was possible I would need a heart transplant- that some women after giving birth to so many children, their hearts just give out. My heart was very tired, I think sometimes it still is.   This was a very scary, and uncertain time for me.  All of a sudden things that had been easy, second nature, like walking,  or carrying things became extremely difficult an took all of my energy.  Miracles happened and I did not need this procedure, however, it seemed like all of the once easy things took me longer to do.  Working out became a walk around the block- very slowly.  Now, nearly 6 years later it still feels like I need to work harder to do things that once came so easily.  I am now training for my first race since that time, and every time I finish one of the workouts my app tells me the distance I went and how good I did, and every time it shows me a turtle- telling me that my speed is still very slow :)   I am okay with that.  I am quicker than I was two months ago, I am stronger than I was.  I am able to run 25 minutes straight without stopping, whereas when I first started running, 30 seconds was very difficult.  I know that I have a long way to go to be where I hope to be, but I celebrate every time I am able to do my run.  I am celebrating all the little accomplishments!  I may come in very last but I am excited that I am running the race. 

We are good to celebrate events in our life like a wedding, a graduation, a birthday, a promotion etc.  If we are waiting for only those times in our life to celebrate, then we are letting a lot of happiness, and joy pass us by.  It seems to me that there is a common feeling among the humans on this planet- that they are not good enough.  I wonder if there is some correlation between the common feelings that people are experiencing and the lack of celebrating their daily success.  Are people so focused on the final destination, or a big goal that they don't realize that to get there took a lot of smaller accomplishments?  Do they not see the good that they are doing every day? 

It stands to reason that if at the end of the day all you can think about are the things that you didn't get done, the things you were supposed to do and you forgot,  after a few days of this repeated thought process you would not think of yourself very favorably.  What if we changed our thinking at the end of each day?  What if instead of the final destination only-  we focused on all the small acts we did do, on the chances we did take, on the accomplishments that happened no matter how big or small.  I did a load of laundry!  I took my daughter and her friend to softball practice!  I made dinner today!  I text a friend who needed me.  What if instead of programming our mind to focus on all that we did not do- we trained our mind to focus on all that we did do?  How would your world change?  I believe that if we can accept each day for what it is and accept the contributions that we made that day for what they were, we would find that we are living an extraordinary life.  And at the end of our day, we will find joy in that day.  

3 Benefits of Celebrating our Successes

1. Celebrating success along the way will increase our potential to do good in our sphere of influence.  If we continually see the good we do, we will naturally see the good that those around us are doing.  If we only see our lack of success it will be much easier to see where others lack, where they need to do better.  What are you focused on?  Wouldn't it be great if we were laser focused on the good that others did- if we focused on the accomplishments of our children rather than the corrections that need to be made.
2. Celebrating success increases the endorphins that are released into your body.  When you don't take the time to celebrate, you rob yourself of the very feeling that reinforces your success.  Celebrating your wins not only feels great physically, but it reinforces the behavior you want to show up when you face a new challenge or opportunity. 
3. Celebrating will inspire you to strive for more.  When you can see that you are doing good you want to do more, and you believe that it is possible.

Remember These Tips

• Celebrate small successes- this gives you the momentum to keep going
• Let others celebrate with you- this can be contagious and others will begin to see that they are also succeeding
• Look at where you started
• Count your blessings along the way- acknowledge those who have helped you on your journey
• Celebrate failures as well as successes.  We often learn as much or even more from the things that didn't work, as we do the things that did work. 
• Comparison is the thief of joy!  Your journey is completely different than anyone else's.  They have their journey, and you have yours.  Live your best life and let them live theirs.
• Be patient when things aren't going as planned.          

Quit asking if you are there yet and enjoy the journey.  Celebrate your successes along the trip to your final destination.  This life is amazing!  

The Connection between Body Image & Personal Revelation

Is there really a connection between body image and personal revelation?

Let's look at the physical body for just a minute.... Why is it so important?  

•  From the Family Proclamation, we read “Spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life”   This was one of the reasons we wanted to come here, to get a physical body.

• Susan W. Tanner taught  "We understood eternal truths about our bodies. We knew that our bodies would be in the image of God. We knew that our bodies would house our spirits. We also understood that our bodies would be subject to pain, illness, disabilities, and temptation. But we were willing, even eager, to accept these challenges because we knew that only with spirit and element inseparably connected could we progress to become like our Heavenly Father"  

I have been studying about revelation this week and one of the things that I found most interesting was a quote from President Boyd K Packer 

Your body is the instrument of your mind. In your emotions, the spirit and the body come closest to being one. What you learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your body. That is why the Word of Wisdom is so important. 

I have considered this a lot - how we treat our bodies increases or decreases our ability to receive personal revelation.  I bet it also depends on the way we think about our bodies-  if we have negative thoughts about our bodies, the very instruments that help us in this life, maybe it is harder to receive revelation.  Maybe this is one reason  Satan tries so hard to get us to abuse or hate our bodies, the way we look etc- because he knows the secret of what these bodies can actually help us do.  They can help us not only receive revelation, but they are the very thing that can help carry out our mission.

.......   Interesting that if I am critical of my body and the way I look, that I could hinder my ability to receive revelation. Not only does Satan hate that we have a body- something that he cannot have, I bet he knows that if we love, and are grateful for the bodies that we have been given and use them in ways of light we would be powerful. We could accomplish all that we were sent here to do. Just a thought.......

The Ride of Your Life

I love our prophet President Nelson, and his wife Sister Nelson.  They gave a fireside in Las Vegas recently where they talked about our life on this earth and about our purpose here. It speaks to my soul maybe because for the last few years it seems like I have been on a journey- I know some of the reasons I am here on this earth, yet in me, there is a small voice, a drive that moves me...... I know that there is something that I said I would do before I came to this earth- just like everyone else did.  I long to find out exactly what that is.  I think that is part of the quest here-  find out our divine destiny.  This gets me really excited, I'm not even sure why-  finding out more about the person I am and how I can help others is a ride I am excited to take.  Here are a few quotes from the fireside

Sister Nelson, who also spoke Saturday night, said, “It's time that we stop comparing ourselves to others. … "When you let the Lord know that you are serious about doing exactly what you came to earth to do, watch what happens. He may change many things dramatically. So hang on for the ride of your life, the ride that you were born to take.”

I love this quote from her.  I feel like I try to let the Lord know that I am serious about doing exactly what I came to this earth to do--- but I wonder how that is done??? Is it by how obedient I am?  Is it that I have that conversation in prayer with Him?  How do I get real with myself and know that I am ready to do EXACTLY what is asked of me?  I like to think that I would do that- I believe that I would-  what can I do to make sure that I am exactly obedient-- and that I will do what He asks immediately?

“When you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same,” said President Nelson.

This is incredible!  I love that each of us here has something extraordinary to do in this life!  He is counting on each of us to do things here.  This is exciting..... We are preparing for the return of the Savior to this earth-  I am sure there is a lot to be done, and it is thrilling to think that we get to play a part in this event, and all that precedes it.  We get to help prepare this earth for His triumphant return.  So, how do I figure out what my part is?  What did I say I would do?  How do I help?  We can find out all of these answers as we search for them, and as the Lord reveals them to us.  We can receive revelation!  That is incredible!  God can talk to us, and He does.

President Nelson said... "There are laws of science that govern a beating heart and those of religion that govern revelation."

Thoughts on receiving revelation.....

1.  Be obedient.  I need to show that I will do anything that He asks me to do and that I will do it right away.  Be obedient to the commandments. 
.

2.  Pray!  Pray to understand how God speaks to me, and pray to have the Holy Ghost as my companion so I can feel, and understand what is being told to me.  Boyd K. Packer said "You have your agency, and inspiration does not- perhaps cannot flow unless you ask for it.....  Prayer is so essential a part of revelation that without it the veil may remain closed to you. Learn to pray.  Pray often.  Pray in your mind, in your heart.  Pray on your knees. ..... Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil."

3.  Scriptures.  There are answers in holy scripture.  Pray when you want to talk to God and read scripture when you want to hear what He has to say to you.

4.  Journaling is a huge part of receiving revelation.  The process of writing my thoughts and feelings really help me.  We have been told that when we write down impressions we get that we are showing the Lord that we value His counsel and we are prepared to receive more. 

5.  Try.  I love that I don't need to be perfect, but I need to be trying.

6.  Fasting. This is one that I don't take advantage of.  I think this is something that I need to work on and understand better.

7.  Listen.  Life is busy and it is loud.  Taking time to be quiet can seem strange and unproductive, yet the spirit speaks quietly so making time to silence the world where you can hear the whisperings of the spirit is important.   Spend time pondering and meditating.  (Keep a journal handy to write down thoughts that come to you) 

8.  Tune in.  Just like radio stations, I get to choose which one I listen to by where I am dialed in to.  Where am I focused?   Which station am I tuned in to?  If I am not on the station I want then I get to choose a new one.  

9.  Have faith.  Believe that you can receive revelation from God.  "The flow of revelation depends on your faith"-  Boyd K. Packer

10.  Be healty.  "Your body is the instrument of your mind.  In your emotion, the spirit and the body come closest to being one.  What you learn spiritually depends, to a degree, on how you treat your body- That is why the word of wisdom is so important"  Boyd K. Packer

I am so grateful that we have personal revelation, that God speaks to us and will help us navigate this life.  I love that there is a purpose to all that we do and that we are meant to do some incredible things.  I pray that I will do all that I need to do to receive the inspiration and revelation that will help me with my divine assignments.  I am ready for the ride!    

What are some things you do that help you receive revelation?

Where can I turn for peace?

Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart, Searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows,

Where, when I languish

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only One.

He answers privately,

Reaching my reaching

In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend

Gentle the peace he finds for  my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind,

Love without end.

This week has again thrown a curve-  we are seeing more and more violence and senseless killings in our nation.  I am grateful for my testimony of the Savior and of eternal families.  The theme this year for our youth seems very fitting- "Peace in Christ".  It has been amazing to see how many times we have gone back and talked about where you will find peace- that it comes through Christ.   

A couple weeks ago, we had an active shooter in our neighborhood and we were on house lock down, which was a very surreal feeling.  If you wanted to leave the neighborhood you were supposed to have a police escort.  The following week my children were on lock down in their school- which was scary.  We have had several suicides in the high school- Yesterday there was a kid at the school that was in a tragic accident, and there was also a shooting in a high school in Florida where 17 children were shot and killed, and several others  are in critical condition in nearby hospitals.  I have had several conversations with the youth in our ward and my own children about how they feel with all of these things going on.   We truly are in the last days.  They know where they can find peace.  I have been amazed at the things that they have shared with me- the way that they find peace in Christ.  They sing songs, they read scripture, they text family, they pray.  They have been saved for these last days- 

I have thought so much about what the media is focused on- is it all about gun control, or is it all about mental health?  They are blaming one or the other.  It is some of both, and yet I believe there is more.  Satan has gotten hold of hearts, and the light of Christ has been lost.  It has been sad to see these grieving families.  The only way they will find true and lasting peace will be through our Savior Jesus Christ.  He can reach and heal broken hearts.  

I hope and pray that these families who have lost loved ones will feel peace.  I can't imagine how difficult this is for them.  I will end the way I began- I am grateful to know that there is Peace in Christ.  I know that the peace we find in Christ is different than the peace that this world has to offer.  I know that He can calm anguish souls, He understands, He is constant and kind.... He is love without end.  

My Olympics

I am excited for the Olympics that are starting in just a couple of days.  The lessons we can learn from the athletes are impressive, their dedication, how focused they are on their goals, their determination to succeed, the training they are willing to do to have a few minutes in their event be incredible, the never quit attitude they display even in and when they have set backs... it is inspiring.  

In our lesson on Sunday we talked about Noelle Pikus-Pace who competed and won in the 2014 Olympics.  We discussed her years of preparation that would all come down to four intense 60- second runs.  We talked about the accident that broke her leg and kept her from the 2006 Olympic's and her disappointment when she fell short of her 2010 Olympic dreams of getting her medal by one-tenth of a second.  But she never gave up, she kept moving forward - 

"She spent years preparing for those four minutes and would spend a lifetime afterward reflecting on them."  Gary E. Stevenson said about her four minutes she would run in her race.  This is true for each of us in this life.  We have spent so long preparing for this life- this is our four minutes.  It all comes down to my what I do with the life I have been given.  I have thought about my four minutes and what I am doing with them.  Am I living the life I was meant to live, and am I living it to the fullest of my ability?  Am I dedicated to living as a disciple of Christ, Am I focused on my family, the temple, meaningful relationships, doing good, and helping those around me.  Am I focused on my goals.  Am I determined to succeed, and win- even when trials and set-backs come.  Will I endure to the end and have a never-quit attitude?   When I finish this life how will I meet my Heavenly Father?  I love this quote from Sister Hinkley

Each of us has our own "event" that we participate in.  Each of our lives are different and we each have a very special and significant purpose that we are here at this time.  Our lives are different and unique, and each of us can do extraordinary things.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught "Before we came to earth we were given certain assignments. ... While we do not now remember the particulars, this does not alter the glorious reality of what we once agreed to."  How incredible is that!  We were prepared for now, to be here now- President Russell M. Nelson said "The Lord has more in mind for you than you have in mind for yourself!  You have been reserved and preserved for this time and place.... The Lord needs you to change the world.  As you accept and follow His will for you, you will find yourself accomplishing the impossible!"  I love this truth!   We can change the world.  The Lord needs us to be strong, and to find out what He would have us do.  

What gifts do I have?  

How can I use these gifts to "change the world'? 

 What gifts do you have? 

 How are you "changing the world"?  

Together we can change lives- we can make this world a better place to be.  I love that I am surrounded by amazing people who help me want to be a better person.  Let's be that for each other!  There is no room to be unkind, and judgmental.  It would be really unfair for the figure skaters to judge the performance of the snowboarders-  it is not their event.   Each is so different- you cannot compare the two.  But we can appreciate both.  Let's appreciate and embrace the differences in all of us.  

Have a happy day!  

Greatest Showman

Okay, so I really enjoy going to movies, I love getting popcorn and Milkduds and eating them together. I love to get lost in a story, and for a couple of hours I am in a different world.  Maybe I am easily entertained, but I really do enjoy the time I get to spend watching a good flick.  Although I rarely go to the theatre to see movie twice on the big screen this last December I did.  I went two days in a row, I actually would have gone again if my mom had not been sick ;)   I went and saw Greatest Showman, a musical (which I love anyways)  and I have thought of this show and the messages in it for the last 2 weeks straight.  My family is constantly listening to the music and conversations are ongoing about the lessons that we have learned from it.  This may sound a little over the top- maybe I was in a place  to hear the messages that it taught- but I loved it!   t

The music was incredible, and the lessons taught for me were perfect.  Here are a few of the lessons I learned that have really kick started 2018 and aligned perfectly with what I have thought about for this next year.

Lesson 1:  Dream big.  There is only so much time that we have on this planet, why waste time living small.  Have a vision, and go after what it is that you want.  No matter your circumstances you have the ability to be and do whatever you put your mind to.  Dream!   Have a million dreams!!  P.T. Barnum said  

"Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Work at it, early and late, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned, and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well now"  

It seems like as adults we do not dream as much as we once did..... that we hear things like "this is not what I thought my life would be"  or  "if only I were young again"  or "if I would have done things differently then my life would be _____"     why is that?    Well, let's do something differently, let's start creating the life we want!   We forget to dream and we sometimes get caught up in the everyday living of everyday life- but what if our everyday living and our everyday life was all we wanted it to be.  This movie reminded me that I get to dream a million dreams, and I can make those dreams happen.  

Lesson 2:  This is Me!  There is a scene in the movie where the circus actors finally realize that they are glorious simply because of who they are.  They have hid themselves away because of their differences, they have not lived.  They decide that they will no longer live in the dark and that they do not need to be ashamed of who they are but that they will be who they are meant to be.  They discover that it is the things that make us different, that actually make us glorious!  I really wish people could understand this-  we do not need to be the same, in fact that would make life really dull.  It is our differences that make this experience on this planet exciting and fun, and we can learn from each other.  It our uniqueness that makes us glorious, it is what brings flavor to life. One of the quotes I love from the show is 

"No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else"

Lesson 3:  Live a life of Adventure:  This was a theme throughout the show.  Take a risk, Go out on a limb..... walk a tightrope.  Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron) takes a risk, he leaves his life of money, comfort, and ease to work with P.T. Barnum, he didn't take the easy road, he put it all out there and he found happiness, he found what he loved.  I really loved Charity Barnum in this movie,  she was willing to do whatever it took to help make her husbands dreams come true,  she didn't need her life to be safe, "tied with a ribbon".   She wanted to be with him, support him- all while her dreams were coming true.  She wanted to create a life that they would design together.  This life is meant to be an adventure, and doing it with someone you love makes it all that more wonderful.  I know that sometimes I have a tendency to live it safe- Fear is a temptation for me, and sometimes I have lived my life very small because of that fear.  I love the lesson that this life is meant to be an adventure shared with those you love.  That feels like a better way to look at life! 

And finally,

Lesson 4:   From Now On..... Remember what is most important in life.  All of the success in life will not mean anything if there is failure in the home.  Remember that it is not the lights, the money, the outside people that bring happiness and fulfillment to our life..... it is our family and those we love.  Do not get caught up in trying to please others, to be accepted by everyone else.  You don't need the approval of everyone around you.  Come back home, remember where happiness is found.  It seem like so many, myself included has sought for the approval of others.  This is something that I have worked really hard to overcome.  I have recognized that the only approval I need is that of my Higher Power, my Heavenly Father- if I am in line with what I believe He wants me to be doing then that is all that matters.  Quit worrying what others think!  

So in the end-  Dream big, dream a million dreams.  This is me- love who I am with all of my scars.  This is who I am meant to be and that is glorious.  Live a life of adventure!  And do not get caught up in what others think of me, and don't seek the approval of others. Remember that it is family and those I love that matter in my life!  

Great life lessons from The Greatest Showman!!!   

The Crow

We have a neighborhood crow that lives in the park down the street.  This crow is massive.  She has built a nest in the top of the stadium lights in the park.  It is funny to watch her.  She will fly around the neighborhood in search of things.  Yesterday I saw her trying to carry something that was almost too big for her, it was hard for her to get air- but she made it.

One thing I find a little comical is that when she flies near my home there are a couple of little birds that do not like her, they will charge her, dive bomb her and they "yell" at her.  They are relentless until the crow flies away. These tiny birds do not give up until she leaves.  They are so small compared to her.

I thought about this in my own life.  Which bird am I??......  Am I the crow?  Am I the little bird?...

Do little issues arise, nagging thoughts, pesky habits; do small challenges come up and I get a little tired, turn and give up?  If I understood the strength that I have, and my ability to overcome these things I would never give up.  I would know that I can do all that I put my mind to, that I do not need to give up and fly away.

Am I more like the little bird who see's a problem, even a big problem and dives right in- claim who I am, claim my space, and not let anything come into my space that could hurt me or get me down.  I do not care who/ what is bigger because I am completely confident in myself and my abilities.  I know that I can conquer all that I face, and that I never need to do these things alone.  I always have someone by my side, to help me face, and chase off any challenge or threat to me.  Maybe it is because the little bird was not alone that it had more courage-  you and I are never completely alone.  We were not meant to go through this life alone.  Alone we can do some things but together we can do all things. We need each other.   I think one of the biggest problems is that people think they must do things in this life alone.  We are never completely alone.  We can always have at least one person by our side.  

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:13

Christ will give us strength to conquer big trials, but He will also give us strength to overcome nagging thoughts, the pesky habits that we are trying to break, and every other thing you can think of.  He will not leave us alone- But... we must do our part.  We need to be trying, we need to be working, and we need to ask for his help.