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.

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.