1.29.2012

January 29, 2012

For those of you who have never seen the T.V. show Once Upon a Time I suggest you start!  It has become my new obsession.  It is now tradition to make a tasty snack, snuggle up with a good blanket and watch the new episode each Sunday.  I hope you all watch it and enjoy it!
Today at church my bishop taught class during the third hour.  We laughed, we cried and we felt the spirit.   Something he said during the lesson really struck me.  He said "Don't get stuck in the thick of thin things."  Such a clever way to look at this issue.  To me this means don't get caught up in unimportant, shallow or small things.  I think it is very easy to stress, over-think or become consumed by things we either have no control over or things that are of little importance.  I am known to sweat the small stuff!  Learning to not get "stuck", or let those "thin" things dominate my time is something I need to work on.  Life becomes much more enjoyable when we occupy our time with meaningful thoughts and actions.  Finding out what is important to you, and then living in a way that reflects that is what brings forth true happiness! 

1.22.2012

January 22, 2012

I couldn't help it any longer!  I broke down and started listening to Christmas music again today. This new snow is getting me in the mood to celebrate the holidays all over again!
So I read a list this week written a 95 year old man named William Snell.  This list is called Life's Little Instructions.  I thought it was kind of perfect and wanted to share it. Enjoy!!

Besides the instruction to drink champagne haha (I'll stick with fruit juice) I think this guy really has it figured out. Live life right!

1.15.2012

January 15,2012

I nearly forgot to post today!  I remembered right as I was slipping in to bed, so I am going to make it a quick one.  Classes started this week and it feels great to be learning again!  I have missed the challenge and progression I experience from taking class.  In one of my classes this week we talked about the ordinary becoming extraordinary.  What a cool expression.  We were specifically talking about dance during this class but, I think our discussion can relate to all areas of life.  My favorite statement made during the discussion was, "it's okay to make mistakes."  If you know me, you know I am a complete perfectionist!  I need to remember it's okay to make mistakes.  It's okay to try something new and not be great at it.  It's okay to goof up and do something dorky.  It's okay to not always succeed.  Another statement that really struck me was "Our patterns can become our prisons."  What an important concept to understand when trying to change the ordinary into extraordinary.  We all have our own patterns. They are what help us stay on track and accomplish daily tasks but, if we don't on occasion take a risk, and break out of that pattern, we will become stuck.  Every one of us has the potential to be extraordinary. So do it!  Make a mistake, take a risk, live a dream. 

1.08.2012

January 8, 2012

The time has arrived!  School starts tomorrow and it is back to reality.  What a blessing it has been to be home for this holiday season.  I forgot how much I enjoy playing games with my brothers, playing the piano at night, eating dinner as a family, chatting with my parents and having family prayer and scriptures.  It is a good thing families can be together forever because I can't get enough of mine!
Today I read a quote by Jillian Micheals that I think everyone should get a chance to read.  She said, "Today I want you to ask yourself this one question.  Why not you?  Why not you to do something for work that you love? Why not you to have a healthy body? Why not you to have a healthy love?  Why not you to be, have, or do anything you have ever dreamed!?  We are so quick to think others are deserving over ourselves.  The truth is that we are all deserving.  So why not you!?"  She hit it on the nose!  Be who you want to be and do what you want to do.  No one is holding you back but yourself.

1.01.2012

January 1, 2012

It has been a challenging and exciting year.  I have learned a lot and lived some of my dreams! I look forward to this New Year and working towards accomplishing all I can dream up for myself.  I recently read a quote given by Howard W. Hunter that has inspired me to do more good this year.  He said, “This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and the speak it again.”.  What a beautiful challenge for the New Year!  I hope we can all make it a goal to do more good in the world this year.  I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!