In case you were wondering

In CASE you were wondering what my life has been like for the past couple of months, due to myself going AWOL and MIA from my blog. :) I am now pleased to tell you with great subtlety that I have returned. If only for a brief moment, I am going to share with you the thoughts I have had on how beautiful life is meant to be. A famous poet once said, "I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rythmical creation of beauty." And you know what? I believe every word of it. Whimsical days come and go, but if you begin to record your thoughts and findings, something (in my opinion) tangible is created, and there you have it. Sometimes you just go with the flow, without expecting anything in return. It seems to be often that, the turn of something good is in your favor. I truly believe that though you may experience something hard (at the end of the day, God will take your hand and walk with you.) He's experienced everything. He is all knowing. Don't fear! Just smile, look to the sky and press on in faith. Faith is such an amazing word to me personally because it has so much deeper meaning when you contemplate the word faith. What is it exactly and how can I know what my faith is grounded on, and what can I do to increase it? The answers to these questions lie in prayer, and opening the scriptures up for yourself to know the truth. Dive into it. What are you waiting for? It reminds me of a clear analogy I pondered a few days ago. Think of a Doctor, for instance. How on earth did they ever learn to perform difficult surgeries and how are they able to perform them successfully without malfunction and error? It is by doing. It is by learning, and studying. Hours and hours of effort, relentless effort. Are we thankful for their dedication into something? Why of course! You bet! They save lives. Some day we might be able to thank them more than we owe them credit for. I am thankful for the hard workers of our society. The doctors, the lawyers, the home builders, the plumbers, the accountants, the teachers, the child care givers, the entreprenuers, the engineers, the artists...they build society and life as we know it. God's plan for his children is so much greater in perspective and purpose than we can possibly comprehend. How beautiful! Once you find your niche in life, stick to it. You can contribute to something great despite  what dream crushers and naysayers may try to throw at you. I find so much art in learning, I know it probably sounds cliche, but I'm serious. The more I learn, the more capable I feel. That is something I want to pass on, something I want to share. What defines greatness? 10,000 hours? Motivation? Sincerity? Or is it something you are born with, and capacity you can one day fulfill.

 A little dibble of thought for you today. The more we see, and the more we know, the more we find, and the more we grow!! Don't say it isn't so. Put your Nike's on and GO. There is some cheesy poetry lines for you today. I totally love doing this. Honestly, I'm finding I always have so much to say, but sometimes don't even know where to begin in order to say it. Crazy, huh. Valued listeners, don't take my word for anything. The only way you can truly learn something for yourself is through the experiences you have, and the process of thought which takes place (perhaps during) but more often than not, it's usually before or afterwards.

Another idea I've been thinking about (eh probably way too much) is the OCD hammer to the nail, follow-up on your thinking, structure of goal setting. Oh no, I can imagine what you're thinking. Don't run away yet! Just give me a few more paragraphs and then I'll let you decide from there. I know the word GOAL is pretty much a monstrous people-eating zombie word that tries to scare you and take control of your fears by having you step away from (ever) working on anything slightly relatable to an actual goal. Oh, trust me. I feel you. I get it completely. You would much rather sink into the couch with a bowl of pretzels and continue your Netflix episode of Stranger Things. HA! I read you! The mental thought process of the word goal says, UHM that's something I would like to have in my life, a change I would like to see, or a way of thinking I'd like to become, but what's the point of putting effort towards something I'll most likely forget about and won't follow through on? Yes. We've heard it before. The key to goal setting is becoming your goal. Baby steps. Any mental lists or ideas you write down and place on the note taking section of your laptop, you'll probably (actually I'm 100 percent convinced that you will.) forget about your notes and continue on with a life by the moment type lifestyle. Of course there is nothing wrong with having good "goals". It's like having good dreams! Right? We all want to pursuit something.

"But what about actually accomplishing goals!" You say.

"Hold your ponystocks, I'm getting there."

In order to accomplish your dreams and goals, I will provide a handy dandy step list I've learned to live by. You can examine it for yourself, no opinions restrained.

1. You MUST pray about it. If you don't believe in God, all I'm saying that if you pray he WILL hear you and answer you, try Him. I promise as you come to know Him, your life will begin to change in remarkable ways. The creator of this world allows you to communicate with him. Have a testimony of it or not, He is your Father. Know that He LOVES YOU. Take a moment right now and think of your own children or parents. Would a loving parent neglect the concerns of their offspring? NO! So there you have it. Still don't believe? Please know I'm praying for you, along with 7 billion other children of God alongside me. The truth will always stand and the ocean will always be made of saltwater.

2. Let your actions speak louder than words (i.g. notes, paper, lists) and set out to accomplish miniature tasks that will someday add up to the overall picture of this main goal you have. (Example: I want to make friends. Ok, that's a great goal to have! Start by getting off the smartphone, and begin manually talking to real people each day. Don't be afraid. Before you know it? Mini goal accomplished! You can thank me later.

3. RESPOND to the motives behind your goal. Okay when I put it like that, it may start to sound  a little confusing but no worries! What I mean, in plain simplified terms, is that part of becoming your goal, is making sure you are following up with yourself. Are you taking action? What was the last action I took? What do I need to change?

4. Ready for the last particle of advice? DO IT. DO IT NOW. Yep, that wraps it up.

Don't let fear stop you. Don't let words, or thoughts, or plaid ideas stop you. Want to accomplish something? Do it. For instance: "I want to lose weight." Okay!! Now go into your kitchen and throw out everything that's causing you bodily harm. Be sure to drink plenty (but not overload yourself) of water. Start making shopping lists to eat healthier, and instead of taking the car, walk. Instead of chowing down on popcorn, chow down on celery. Instead of watching Zombie shows, go on a walk with a friend. (Now you see, it's all starting to come together! :) Which is why I love the words: taking action. It's amazing what DOING can do!!

Honestly though, without goals? Where would anyone successful in anything be? You don't become a well reknowned lawyer from imagining a different life with a set of stereo speakers. I know my wording is often harsh, but it's true. You don't become something if you don't put any effort into it.
Same with your spiritual life. Want to be closer to God? Show him you love Him by your actions. Stop thinking "How will my choices affect me?" And START thinking, "How will my choices affect God and others?" When you think of Him, he sends a promise that He will guide you in your life.
His blessings are so refreshing, and whole. Thinking of doing something you're not sure about? Think of your mother's face and her sadness if she found out. Think of your spouse's concern, or a friend's pain. Above anything else, think of Christ and how He would feel, and your Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ who died and suffered for your sins. Think of Him.

One apostle I absolutely love, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Jeffery R. Holland. He explains this point so profoundly in a past general conference talk. Our selfish world is so preoccupied with the fulfillment of self, that often those who start down the road of sin forget that not only does their sin affect them with consequence, they don't see the bigger outlying picture. It not only affects them, but everyone who loves them, and cares about them.

HELLO!!! It's NOT ABOUT YOU. Life is not about you. Plainly, and simply.

It's about your Father in heaven, your brothers and sisters, your parents, your spouse, your children, your exaltation. (Note: Exaltation is a family ordeal. Salvation is singular.) I learned that this most recent conference. :)

Think of Christ. He is your advocate. He is rooting for you and is on your side, today now and forever!

Don't give up because of slight let downs. Don't wallow in self pity, or ache. Allow the Savior of the world to help you.

I have such a strong testimony of the power of Christ. He will change your life and mold you into something better, and beautiful, if you allow Him to. I think all it comes down to is the aspect of trust. Do you trust Him? He trusts you! No pain on this earth will we suffer that He has not already suffered. Isn't that so powerful? Because of coming to know Christ more as a Daughter of God, my life has truly been changed and I feel much happier, more free in spirit than I ever have before. Nothing we do goes unnoticed, including the knee bending moments in our lives where we cry out and say "We can't do this anymore on our own."
Also including the good moments, the good acts we perform, and the burdens of others we try to help lift. If you take away one thing from reading this, take away the saying, "It's not about you."

It's not about you. :)

Feeling like you don't know what to do next? Remember that, and then go find someone who needs a burden lifted, or a friend today! Go visit a family member. Go do something nice for a brother or sister. Go create something. But most importantly, BE who you were meant to be as a child of God.

"Heaven has a way of letting us know our mighty Creator cares,
A Father, a Mother, waiting for us casually by the stairs...
A friendly smile from a stranger, we did not expect to see. A short call home to greet someone who feels the friendly need. A letter, a cake, a wilted clutch of flowers in hand,

Angels are truly all around us, and united we stand.
A handshake with care, which goes a long way, to say to a neighbor: my friend, have a good day.
But one thing you must know, and never forget,
The human family, through love, is truly knit.

A poem I felt like writing.

I hope y'all enjoyed it. PLEASE have a wonderful day :)

-much love,
L