February 26, 2012

I love going to church! Today was just what I needed. It is incredible how much you can get out of church meetings when you pray to learn all you can, then sincerely listen. I love the spirit that fills the Chapel each Sunday as we all gather together to learn more about our Christ and Savior.
Today there was quite a bit of talk about Eternal Families. I thought this was very appropriate and needed for me to hear this week. A few days ago my family celebrated my baby sister Avalon’s 11th birthday. It is such a comfort to know that one day I will be reunited with her, and we can be a family forever. What a blessing it has been to know the past 11 years I have had a guardian angel watching over my family. The Plan of Salvation truly is a Plan of Happiness! What better motivation is there to live a pure and righteous life than to be with your family forever? Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Fathers Plan. Love you Avalon!

February 19, 2012

Due to the recent celebration of Valentine’s Day I think it is only appropriate I talk about my "one true love!"  After years of never letting me down and always bringing me such joy, "DANCE" is still my one true love!  To me it is very simple, dance is fun!  I dance because it makes me happier than anything else.  It takes time, hard work, dedication and passion.  Dancers commit to this because of the complete joy it brings.  I once had a teacher say "Dancers are super human, that is the point."  When you accomplish the impossible by making something so difficult and challenging look beautiful and effortless you have arrived.  To be onstage and create wonder and excitement in the minds of the audience is a complete thrill.  I hope you all strive to find your "one true love", and once you find it, never stop! 

  

February 12, 2012

Okay I just have to start off by saying, I LOVED The Vow!!  A beautiful story and a great film.  I hope you all go see it.  You won't be disappointed!  After seeing the movie with my mom, my own father even admitted it wasn't bad for a chick flick, and that's really saying something.  (Don't tell him I said that though!  And if you do he will most likely deny it haha.)
Today I have been thinking a lot about comparison.  I have a nasty habit of comparing myself to others.  What good does this do?  None!  By constantly comparing looks, talents, possessions and lives with those around us, we convince ourselves that we are coming up short.  However, this is not the case.  We all are living with different challenges, circumstances, talents and goals.  Comparing our life and our accomplishments to someone else will never bring us happiness.  Instead why not direct that comparison to our past and present self.  When you find yourself comparing yourself to someone else stop and ask a few questions.  What are my victories this year compared to last year?  What am I doing today that I couldn't have done a year ago?  What am I doing to direct my life in the direction I want to go?  Doing this makes a lot more sense to me.  Don't let comparison steal your joy!

February 5, 2012

This year I started taking a Pilates class every Saturday morning. And I have to say, I love it!!  If you are looking for a challenging workout that focuses on strengthening your core, Pilates is for you.  Signing up for an exercising class is just the motivation I needed to get up and get moving!  Another thing I have recently discovered that is helping me on my way to accomplishing my 2012 health/fitness goals is, Dark Chocolate covered Pomegranates.  These little gems are quite delicious, and serve as a great substitute for a cookie or cupcake when you are having a sweet craving. 
Time is flying by!  It's hard to believe it is already February and I am almost done with my first year of college. A quote I have recently become acquainted with and think I need to do better to follow says "Don't count the days, make the days count!"  I have a habit of counting the days to the next big thing, the next vacation, the next event, the next holiday.  I frequently say "Oh I will be happy once ....."  But why wait for the next big thing to be happy?  Why not make every day a special occasion?  Why not choose to do what you love today and be happy right now?  Make the days count because you only live this life once and time is flying by!

P.s. You should all read Dieter F. Uchtdorfs talk titled "Forget me not".  It is inspiring and talks all about being happy now.   

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! 

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!

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.