Today I noticed my daughter as I reached out to take the sacrament. Sitting sweetly in her daddy's lap, she peered over the top of the tray at the bread with deep interest. As church leaders encourage us to keep the sabbath day holy and be more reverent in our church meetings, I look to the innocent for guidance:
We should always listen to talks and lessons with rapt attention, no matter how many times those topics have been addressed.
We should smile at strangers to bring joy to their lives and hopefully inspire them to bring that joy to others they meet each day.
We should be willing to learn from those around us.
We should look for opportunities to discover new information, increase our testimonies, and heighten our knowledge of concepts we already know.
We should make time for family, snuggling, healthy eating, and appreciating the blessings in our lives.
I'm sure I have much more to learn from my daughter as she grows and learns and develops a testimony of her own. I hope I make time to appreciate what I learn from her.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Everything I Need [RANTINGS]
I tried to make a wishlist to refer my friends to when they ask what I want for my birthday or Christmas or another gift-giving holiday that escapes my mental faculties. Historically, I would list off two or three items I can't wait to add to my collection of stuff, but lately, I just shrug.
Sadly, this lack of interest in material goods tends to be one of the signs of depression. Many of the askers give me a double take. A couple of them continued to watch me with worry in their eyes for the rest of our visit. It took a couple repetitions of this reaction for me to figure it out. Then I started thinking about why I could shrug. Why don't I have a long list of desires and needs?
Am I depressed? I spend a lot of time smiling. I look forward to the future. I am, in fact, making plans for years to come. I have a long list of books to read, a baby to watch grow up, and stories to write. I could be depressed, but I don't think that I am.
Do I have so many Monstaz that I don't have room for more possessions? Monstaz are like jello. You can always make more room for them, even if you have to pin them to the ceiling. I put them my on a bookshelf with part of my book collection. Please don't report me to the Monstaz Protection and Affection Association (MPAA).
Seriously, why don't I want the world, the moon, and the stars? I already have everything I need. I have a husband who loves me and puts up with my many levels of crazy. (Read the previous paragraph again if that statement seems untrue to you.) I also have the baby I mentioned before. I want to watch her grow up and hopefully be a positive influence in her life.
This realization makes me wish for more true fulfillment for those I love, and even those I don't know well enough to truly and deeply love. What will fill your life with joy and make you want to give rather than receive? What can you do to reach those goals? And, on the off chance that the goal you think will make you contented is about as likely as winning the lottery, what in your life can you make the object of your fulfillment? (For instance, you want to publish a book but you just can't write more than one sentence? Could you edit other people's work or just appreciate the works of great authors by reading them again?) Think about it and make 2016 the start of the rest of your wonderful life. I assure you that you won't regret it.
Sadly, this lack of interest in material goods tends to be one of the signs of depression. Many of the askers give me a double take. A couple of them continued to watch me with worry in their eyes for the rest of our visit. It took a couple repetitions of this reaction for me to figure it out. Then I started thinking about why I could shrug. Why don't I have a long list of desires and needs?
Am I depressed? I spend a lot of time smiling. I look forward to the future. I am, in fact, making plans for years to come. I have a long list of books to read, a baby to watch grow up, and stories to write. I could be depressed, but I don't think that I am.
Do I have so many Monstaz that I don't have room for more possessions? Monstaz are like jello. You can always make more room for them, even if you have to pin them to the ceiling. I put them my on a bookshelf with part of my book collection. Please don't report me to the Monstaz Protection and Affection Association (MPAA).
Seriously, why don't I want the world, the moon, and the stars? I already have everything I need. I have a husband who loves me and puts up with my many levels of crazy. (Read the previous paragraph again if that statement seems untrue to you.) I also have the baby I mentioned before. I want to watch her grow up and hopefully be a positive influence in her life.
This realization makes me wish for more true fulfillment for those I love, and even those I don't know well enough to truly and deeply love. What will fill your life with joy and make you want to give rather than receive? What can you do to reach those goals? And, on the off chance that the goal you think will make you contented is about as likely as winning the lottery, what in your life can you make the object of your fulfillment? (For instance, you want to publish a book but you just can't write more than one sentence? Could you edit other people's work or just appreciate the works of great authors by reading them again?) Think about it and make 2016 the start of the rest of your wonderful life. I assure you that you won't regret it.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
First Post [RANTINGS]
Today I want to reflect on where I am versus where I was. I spent many years thinking that I would spend most of my life nesting with my cat babies. My last two cat babies have both moved on to another plane of existence within the last thirteen months, but here I sit with a less aloof baby cuddled into my chest and a handsome man at my side.
Life surprised me, and I love it. For those who have lost faith and hope, I remind you that you can overcome. If my life was controlled by pessimism or other people's perceptions of me, my world would be a different place. (I wouldn't have been born, in fact.) Trust in yourself and find the good in what you have and your life can surprise you, too. I was happy with my kitties, my books, and dinners for one, but I adore my husband and child and cooking large meals.
Besides, I still have my cookie-baking skills and journals that want my words. What more could I need? I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling I will be surprised with it when I am ready.
Life surprised me, and I love it. For those who have lost faith and hope, I remind you that you can overcome. If my life was controlled by pessimism or other people's perceptions of me, my world would be a different place. (I wouldn't have been born, in fact.) Trust in yourself and find the good in what you have and your life can surprise you, too. I was happy with my kitties, my books, and dinners for one, but I adore my husband and child and cooking large meals.
Besides, I still have my cookie-baking skills and journals that want my words. What more could I need? I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling I will be surprised with it when I am ready.
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