Pricks

I know when something is important for me to understand when I get the same message from more than one source. I ran across this thought right after reading these words from the scriptures. "For they did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance."

Pricks, whether they be words or people, cause us sharp pain. We can either resent the intrusive violation or we can realize it is for our good. To bring us to repentance and thereby help us change and be polished. 

So now, rather than retaliate or recoil at the pricks; and can take a hard look at myself and with proactive faith, see it as a blessing and a great opportunity to repent and draw closer to Christ. 

Life Derailment

Oftentimes I get a burst of inspiration and enthusiasm and then have a tendency to load up my life with a variety of ambitious plans. Then this happens. I get derailed and there is a gruesome pileup. It is a great reminder to just put a couple of plans on the track at a time and move forward at a reasonable pace. Derailment is costly.

Joy is the essence of success

In a world where fame and fortune are a false measure of success, I declare that joy is the essence of success. Joy comes from deep within the heart. It can't be seen or measured by outward trappings. It does, however, show up as light and love in the face of those who possess it and live with it. 

We would do our children a big favor if we teach them to always be in tune with their heart and know when they are feeling joy and knowing that joy all by itself is success. Joy doesn't necessarily come because of someone's validation of us. We can be forever seeking validation and not experience true joy. Seeking outside validation usually comes with a life filled with stress thinking joy will come after accomplishment. But joy is in the process. It is in the moment. It is in our heart and no one else can measure or validate our own joy, so tune in and tune up because Heavenly Father is the source of joy. 

Restore the physical self

On Christmas Day my cute daughter gave us a photo book of pictures from our family vacation. It captured the fun memories we made but it also captured a picture of me in a bathing suit. Wait a minute, that's me? WAKE UP CALL! My real self is hidden under too many wrong eating choices. It is time. Time to restore my old physical self. Not only didn't I recognize myself (I've done a pretty good job with self deception), but I suspect because of too much sugar and other unhealthy foods, I don't feel as good as I know I can and should.

Isn't it crazy that to celebrate our Savior's birth, we overdo--eating, drinking, spending. He came to sacrifice Himself to redeem us, and we abuse ourselves. Crazy.

So the next day after Christmas I set out to restore my health. I am committed to eat foods that support a healthy lifestyle. I am determined to "eat the rainbow." And I'm not talking about Dots candy; although they are pretty dang good, and they are the candy that keeps on giving as you pick pieces out of your teeth for the rest of the day.

Storms of Life

Mormon 5:18-“But now, behold, they are let about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.”

For me, praying, scripture study, and learning and worshipping in church are all about gaining an anchor and a sail in order to give my life direction and meaningful purpose. Being anchored in Christ is the only thing that can adequately keep us stable and at peace in the storms of life. Any material or purely pleasurable pursuit is a false sense of security that has no anchor; and when the winds come, which they will, we will have turmoil and confusion as we are tossed about upon the waves.

I have had storms in my life, but I also know especially from reading my journal before a major storm hit, that I was spiritually prepared before and during the storm, for which I am immensely grateful. 

I just watched an interview with Cookie Johnson, Magic Johnson’s wife, and she shared how she had to turn to God and to Bible study in order to deal with the major storm that hit when they found out Magic has HIV. Back in that time AIDS was a death sentence and people were afraid of any contact with someone with AIDS. I loved hearing her talk about the spiritual strength it took to steer through and survive that storm in her life.

Building a New Home

What I’ve learned building a new home…

Joy isn’t found in the end product. Joy is found in the creative journey.

Laborers are some of the nicest, humblest, hardworking people I know. No one is more important that anyone else, and no one’s contribution is better than any other. We all have something wonderful to offer and appreciation and respect is vital. 

It isn’t about just having something. It is about having something that enhances relationships and promotes togetherness. And that can be done in any setting. 

Some things just don’t matter in the eternal perspective. Nothing will ever be perfect in this life. Get over it. 

As good as a new home is, it is hard to leave the old one because of the memories that it holds. Good thing memories can move. 

Happiness

When I was in 6th grade I struggled with a desperate need to be accepted and liked, and in so doing I gave into peer pressure to start swearing and experimenting a couple of times with smoking. You know that my rebellious behavior was based on deep insecurities because by nature, I am a rule follower.

On a school field trip to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, our 6th grade class watched the LDS produced film, "Man's Search for Happiness." Okay put aside the weird possibility that such a religious experience was part of a school outing, I will go on to how this event changed the direction of my life.

Watching that film gave me a glimpse into a broader picture of life and its purposes. I was touched in such a way that gave me a strong desire to live a little better and have the courage to turn away from what I mistakenly thought would bring peer acceptance. That day was a turning point in my life.

My life has been a search for happiness. Sometimes I have made choices that have taught me what happiness DOESN'T look like and sometimes I have based my happiness on other people or circumstances that I don't have control over. All of these experiences have taught me much about happiness. I am grateful that I have had many moments in my life that remind me what happiness is and what it isn't. I am grateful that a movie serendipitously entitled "Man's Search for Happiness" helped me to see that my search was going in the wrong direction.