Having Something is Not Enough

Having a dog isn't enough. Even saying I love my dog isn't enough. I have to show him every day that I love and appreciate him.

Having children isn't enough. It isn't in the having that is important. It is in the loving, enjoying, and appreciating them that is important.

Having a husband isn't enough. Saying I love my husband isn't enough. I need to show him that I love him. I need to have a great capacity to love and demonstrate that love.

Having faith isn't enough. I have to put my faith into action. I have to live it.

Guilt is Good

Oftentimes when I admit to someone something I regret either doing or not doing, they will respond, "Don't feel guilty." 

What they don't understand is that for me guilt has a valuable purpose. It helps me realize when I have been off course. It helps me realize that I need to repent. It is the very thing that brings me to my Savior seeking redemption. It is the very thing that helps me change and want to do better. 

So yes, guilt is good.

Faith has a short shelf life

Today I read this thought. It's true. Just like the manna from heaven given to the Israelites, faith doesn't store well. I have to partake of something that feeds my faith every day. Sometimes every minute. Whether it be reading scriptures, other good books, praying, writing about my faith, enjoying God's beautiful creations, or just noticing and being grateful for all the miracles and blessings that surround me, I have to have a constant source of faith-promoting experiences. It is important to constantly feed my faith.

Scheduling Nirvana

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Let's admit it. I'm a schedule nerd. It started when I was in high school. I had a schedule of what I would do what days of every week. I had a morning routine that followed scheduled times to do things.  I even started carrying a little notebook before planners were even popular. I kept it hidden so no one knew what level of nerdiness I lived.

I still like to schedule and reschedule and reschedule what I plan to do each day of every week and what time to get up, exercise, etc.  It is my shot in the arm. It is what gives me motivation and direction. Whenever I get in a slump, I know it is time to reschedule. The change in my schedule is exhilarating. I know what you're saying. "Wow, get a life, Nerd!"

I try hard not to get too OCD about it. Yes, there were times when I tried to have my schedule down to the minute. It wasn't pretty. Now I try to just have a list of things I do each day of the week but I do try to be flexible. Try being the key word. The beauty of a schedule is that I can let go of say the stress of like looking at my car and seeing that it needs to be washed. I can relax because I know I have it "scheduled."

Back to school time is my biggest re-scheduling event. I'm in heaven.

His Day

It is incredibly easy to get caught up in worldly things. What to wear, what to eat, what fun things to do that can be posted on Instagram (otherwise we wouldn't do it, right?). It is such a blessing to have a day set aside for me to refocus, repent, and redirect. I am grateful for Him. I am grateful for His day.

Inspiration comes

I love the positive thoughts and encouragement that comes to me. I have noticed that those thoughts come when I am with inspiring people and in inspiring settings--while hiking alone in the mountains, reading an motivating book, having an uplifting conversation about ideas with family and friends, focusing on what I am grateful for, and in sacred religious settings. 

I have discouraging thoughts when I complain, gossip, or am exposed to behavior that doesn't match my personal values. 

Make my own happiness

The day life really begins is the day I decide to make my own happiness. It has taken me a long time of being in a relationship in which the other person struggles with depression to really know that no one can or should bring me down. It is only when I let them have that kind of power that I am unhappy.

When I let them figure out their own happiness and just try and love them, help when asked or when divinely inspired, and be a good example by focusing on what brings me joy; that I start to rise above and discover my own passion and direction. It is giving myself permission to enjoy life in spite of someone's misery. My joining in and worrying about their unhappiness only adds an extra burden on them and obviously doesn't work for me.

It really keeps going back to working on the only person I have control over. Well some control. Let's admit that I have a hard time controlling myself. Sugar has great power.