Celebrate what's right with the world

About two years ago my teacher in the missionary training center showed us this movie and I just loved it so I had to share a clip from it. It really is amazing the difference our attitudes can make. Having a good attitude gives us positive energy that can be directed toward solving problems, whereas having a negative attitude only makes us angry and frustrated and doesn't help solve problems, but rather makes problems seem more daunting and hopeless. By seeing the good in the world, we are better able to confront what's wrong. Positive energy makes all the difference.

Love

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."

Katharine Hepburn

Happy day after Valentine's!

Appreciating in Appreciation

This last year I feel like I've grown to appreciate certain things in my life more. Being away from my family for a year and a half on my mission has made me appreciate their company more and the rare occasions when we are all together at once, as was the case this Christmas.

My art history class this last semester helped me to grow in appreciation of art because I learned how to understand it better.

I appreciate the difficult experiences that I've had that have helped me to learn and grow.

I appreciate more the good influences around me, those of my family and friends and good people in general.

Helping my sister take care of her two little kids, a very active two-year-old and a sweet two-month-old, has given me a greater appreciation of parents and the fatigue they must experience caring for children. I've also grown to appreciate the special moments that children provide: their sweet smiles and expressions of love in their excitement to see you and their cute little hugs. I went with my mom and little two-year-old Wally to the nursing home today to visit a friend and it was amazing to see the smiles on people's faces there just from seeing cute little Wally. It made me wish that I had a two-year-old of my own that I could take to the nursing home to brighten people's days.

It's moments like this when I come to appreciate or value something more than I did before that make me feel more awake to the world around me. It makes me feel more alive.

What Shall We Give?

What makes a good day?

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it." Margaret Thatcher I agree with this. I feel the most satisfied when I've really accomplished something. Then I can climb into bed feeling good about myself. I think for the most part, we have control over whether a day is good or not, depending on our attitude. My bookbinding teacher shared a quote with us from her mentally handicapped nephew, Jay, who passed away two weeks ago at the age of 24. He would always say "This is the best day ever!" no matter how horrible the day may have seemed to someone else. What makes a good day for you?

Embrace Life

This is my form of procrastination for the night. So, enjoy it!

My mission president showed us this video to illustrate how we can be there for others in their time of need. I loved it.

Continue in Patience

Here's another one. :)