For Christmas, my mama gave me a tiny grow your own forget-me-not flower kit because of this wonderful talk by Dieter F. Uchdorf.
(Don't tell anyone, but he is one of my favorite current General Authorities =] )
"You are not forgotten...wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love...God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes...
You are closer to heaven than you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine...
There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you."
- Dieter F. Uchdorf
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sunday, May 29, 2011
"The Divine Gift of Gratitude"
I recently found, and gave a talk about, a wonderful address from President Thomas S. Monson called The Divine Gift of Gratitude.
When many people think of gratitude they think simply of giving thanks. But I have found gratitude has alot more power than that.
President Monson said,
"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."
Who doesn't want to feel God's love? It makes us happy.
When you are grateful you feel happier. I know I do. This is because when you are grateful you are thinking of others and what they do for you, and not about yourself and what you need or lack. You cannot be mean-spirited or negative if you are grateful.
"We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings...[However,] We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude..How can we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude? ...a prayerful life is the key."
Why? i think it is because in our prayers we are taught to give thanks. You can't do that very well if you do not recognize things to be thankful for. So if you are trying to pray sincerely to your Heavenly Father, you are forced to think about your blessings.
"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that 'feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it'"
Practice being grateful! I takes conscious effort until it becomes a habit. Thank people for anything and everything - no matter how simple.
This is my favorite quote from the entire talk, it is so beautiful -
"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."
To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven....how wonderful =]
When many people think of gratitude they think simply of giving thanks. But I have found gratitude has alot more power than that.
President Monson said,
"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."
Who doesn't want to feel God's love? It makes us happy.
When you are grateful you feel happier. I know I do. This is because when you are grateful you are thinking of others and what they do for you, and not about yourself and what you need or lack. You cannot be mean-spirited or negative if you are grateful.
"We have all experienced times when our focus is on what we lack rather than on our blessings...[However,] We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude..How can we cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude? ...a prayerful life is the key."
Why? i think it is because in our prayers we are taught to give thanks. You can't do that very well if you do not recognize things to be thankful for. So if you are trying to pray sincerely to your Heavenly Father, you are forced to think about your blessings.
"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives. This requires conscious effort—at least until we have truly learned and cultivated an attitude of gratitude. Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that 'feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it'"
Practice being grateful! I takes conscious effort until it becomes a habit. Thank people for anything and everything - no matter how simple.
This is my favorite quote from the entire talk, it is so beautiful -
"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."
To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven....how wonderful =]
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Just Another Life or Death Story
This weekend I went with mis amigas to our Girls Camp Youth Leadership Training (Girls Camp is going to be amazing this year, by the way =] ). Anyway, Friday night my girlies and I were sharing stories, scriptures, and such, and my darling Miss K told us of a great spiritual experience she had a few days ago.
Miss K and Miss B were driving, and stopped at a red light. It turned green, but Miss K didn't hit the gas pedal. She said her mind just went blank, she saw the light change, but it didn't process. After a few seconds she slowly eased down the gas and began rolling forward. Just as a truck came roaring through the intersection. Very, very fast. Too fast.
If Miss K had gone as soon as the light changed, they both would have died. Or at least be seriously injured.
I don't know what I would do if I lost those girlies, my sisters. It makes me so glad that they know who they are, and are in tune with the Spirit. Because that is what saved them; the Holy Ghost. Why else would they have stopped? The Lord guided and protected them, and I am so grateful for that.
Miss K and Miss B were driving, and stopped at a red light. It turned green, but Miss K didn't hit the gas pedal. She said her mind just went blank, she saw the light change, but it didn't process. After a few seconds she slowly eased down the gas and began rolling forward. Just as a truck came roaring through the intersection. Very, very fast. Too fast.
If Miss K had gone as soon as the light changed, they both would have died. Or at least be seriously injured.
I don't know what I would do if I lost those girlies, my sisters. It makes me so glad that they know who they are, and are in tune with the Spirit. Because that is what saved them; the Holy Ghost. Why else would they have stopped? The Lord guided and protected them, and I am so grateful for that.
"No Cussing Club"
In response to my previous rant on swearing, the wonderful Mama D sent me this video. It is about a No Cussing Club. I love it. Go ahead, take a look. Also, you can go to the website mentioned in the video, NoCussing.com, and even take the no cussing challenge and become a member. Pretty cool.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Swearing
Swearing, cussing, cursing, crude or foul language...it's all the same. And it's all nasty. Whatever you want to call it, I hate it. I feel so strongly about this that there will probably be several posts about it. Swearing is just so negative, it only make me grumpy. I prefer to be around people who are uplifting, not constantly bringing me, and others, down.
There is a LOT of swearing at school. It is impossible for me to get through the day and not hear at least one bad word MINIMUM. And that is being optimistic. Usually I hear much, much more. I can't really express how much I dislike it.
The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet has a great section on language (which has some other great links and resources, by the way) -
I have heard the excuse swearing "is just words." No harm, it's just words....
Not true. Not true at all. When someone tells you they love you, is that just words, or does that have meaning? Doesn't being told you are loved inspire a feeling? Happiness, maybe? It works that same in reverse. Crude, degrading language brings you down. Words have power. There is proof of that everywhere.
If you have time, take a look and study James 3:2-13. It's pretty intense.
I know it is hard to stand out, to be that one kid who doesn't swear. But it is completely worth it. You are standing steadfast for what you believe in, and your example truly does influence others. There will always be those who ridicule you, that is inevitable. But it is not their opinion of you that matters. It is your Heavenly Father's opinion that matters.
There is a LOT of swearing at school. It is impossible for me to get through the day and not hear at least one bad word MINIMUM. And that is being optimistic. Usually I hear much, much more. I can't really express how much I dislike it.
The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet has a great section on language (which has some other great links and resources, by the way) -
"How you speak says much about who you are. Clean and intelligent language is evidence of a bright and wholesome mind. Use language that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others. Do not insult others or put them down, even in joking. Speak kindly and positively about others so you can fulfill the Lord’s commandment to love one another. When you use good language, you invite the Spirit to be with you.
Always use the names of God and Jesus Christ with reverence and respect. Misusing their names is a sin. Profane, vulgar, or crude language or gestures, as well as jokes about immoral actions, are offensive to the Lord and to others. Foul language harms your spirit and degrades you. Do not let others influence you to use it."
Isn't that great? "When you use good language, you invite the Spirit to be with you." Who doesn't want that? The Spirit helps guide us and comforts us. Conversely, "Foul language harms your spirit and degrades you." Nobody wants to be degraded. So we shouldn't use foul language.
I have heard the excuse swearing "is just words." No harm, it's just words....
Not true. Not true at all. When someone tells you they love you, is that just words, or does that have meaning? Doesn't being told you are loved inspire a feeling? Happiness, maybe? It works that same in reverse. Crude, degrading language brings you down. Words have power. There is proof of that everywhere.
If you have time, take a look and study James 3:2-13. It's pretty intense.
I know it is hard to stand out, to be that one kid who doesn't swear. But it is completely worth it. You are standing steadfast for what you believe in, and your example truly does influence others. There will always be those who ridicule you, that is inevitable. But it is not their opinion of you that matters. It is your Heavenly Father's opinion that matters.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Sleep Needed
I realize I have not posted for a while, and I apologize for that. It has been difficult to put thoughts into words recently, but I have finally found a topic I am passionate about this week.
Sleep.
I can never get enough of it. Nobody can. Exhaustion is an endless cycle here in highschool. I have taken three 2-hour naps this week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). My mother asked if I was sick.
I'm not. Just tired.
Let me put it into perspective for you. Teenagers, like me, need to get about 9 hours of sleep a night. I get about 6-7, more or less. Most often less. And the pathetic thing is that when I count up my hours of sleep for the night, I consider 7 hours a success.
So, say I get an average of 7 hours of sleep a night. That's 49 hours a week. Add a few extra hours for Friday night (when I can sleep in on Saturday), and it's about 52 hours.
I am supposed to get 63.
63 hours of sleep a week. I am 11 hours under.That's OVER a full night of sleep. Ouch! That's like pulling one all-nighter a week...and then going to school. And taking tests. And giving presentations.
And I know people who actually do.
What causes such a lack of sleep, you may ask? Typically just being so busy. School, homework, friends, maybe a job, homework, sports, extra activities, homework...did I mention that one already?
I am the type of student who, when I am too tired to function, says, "Forget homework, I need sleep." If you know you are exhausted, what is the point of trying?! It will just take you longer to get everything done than it would if you took a nap first and then finished! Plus, then you are even more tired for school the next day, and the cycle continues.
But I know a lot of people for whom getting homework done trumps rest. They get even less sleep than I do. I also know several insomniacs who get about...3-4 hours of sleep? And then go to school, just like everybody else.
Double ouch.
Now, I have to be fair - if I was a bit more proactive in getting my work done, I would probably be able to fit more sleep in. I tell myself all the time, "Megy, you know you are gonna regret this if you don't do it now!" But do I ever just do the work right then? Rarely. I know, I know, how silly of me...but after over 6 hours at school, I am just about dead. Depending on the day. It always seems that I am the most tired through school and the afternoon. When it is actually a decent time to be going to bed, I am finally awake. Not a good system.
Whoa...Scripture Mastery coming on...drum roll, please!
Doctrine and Covenants 88:124
"...cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."
Great counsel. For highschoolers, very seldom followed. At least, the "retire to thy bed early" part. Many, including myself, arise plenty early for seminary.
But that is a blessing in and of itself. If I didn't go to seminary, I would be even more exhausted and unable to focus.
Here is a nifty little article I about how to get more sleep - Six Ways to Get Your ZZZs
What about you? Your average hours of sleep a night?
Sleep.
I can never get enough of it. Nobody can. Exhaustion is an endless cycle here in highschool. I have taken three 2-hour naps this week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). My mother asked if I was sick.
I'm not. Just tired.
Let me put it into perspective for you. Teenagers, like me, need to get about 9 hours of sleep a night. I get about 6-7, more or less. Most often less. And the pathetic thing is that when I count up my hours of sleep for the night, I consider 7 hours a success.
So, say I get an average of 7 hours of sleep a night. That's 49 hours a week. Add a few extra hours for Friday night (when I can sleep in on Saturday), and it's about 52 hours.
I am supposed to get 63.
63 hours of sleep a week. I am 11 hours under.That's OVER a full night of sleep. Ouch! That's like pulling one all-nighter a week...and then going to school. And taking tests. And giving presentations.
And I know people who actually do.
What causes such a lack of sleep, you may ask? Typically just being so busy. School, homework, friends, maybe a job, homework, sports, extra activities, homework...did I mention that one already?
I am the type of student who, when I am too tired to function, says, "Forget homework, I need sleep." If you know you are exhausted, what is the point of trying?! It will just take you longer to get everything done than it would if you took a nap first and then finished! Plus, then you are even more tired for school the next day, and the cycle continues.
But I know a lot of people for whom getting homework done trumps rest. They get even less sleep than I do. I also know several insomniacs who get about...3-4 hours of sleep? And then go to school, just like everybody else.
Double ouch.
Now, I have to be fair - if I was a bit more proactive in getting my work done, I would probably be able to fit more sleep in. I tell myself all the time, "Megy, you know you are gonna regret this if you don't do it now!" But do I ever just do the work right then? Rarely. I know, I know, how silly of me...but after over 6 hours at school, I am just about dead. Depending on the day. It always seems that I am the most tired through school and the afternoon. When it is actually a decent time to be going to bed, I am finally awake. Not a good system.
Whoa...Scripture Mastery coming on...drum roll, please!
Doctrine and Covenants 88:124
"...cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."
Great counsel. For highschoolers, very seldom followed. At least, the "retire to thy bed early" part. Many, including myself, arise plenty early for seminary.
But that is a blessing in and of itself. If I didn't go to seminary, I would be even more exhausted and unable to focus.
Here is a nifty little article I about how to get more sleep - Six Ways to Get Your ZZZs
What about you? Your average hours of sleep a night?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
General Conference
It is basically amazing. That's all I have to say.
A couple of my favorite talks where by Dallin H. Oakes and Russell M. Nelson, but they were all great. Of course. I would give you guys some wonderful spiritual thought or something, but I'm still trying to soak it all in (not to mention quite exhausted and braindead). I will definitely be studying those talks again when they are printed, I think everyone should. There is some amazing stuff in there.
Videos of Conference talks at LDS.org, texts will be there soon
A couple of my favorite talks where by Dallin H. Oakes and Russell M. Nelson, but they were all great. Of course. I would give you guys some wonderful spiritual thought or something, but I'm still trying to soak it all in (not to mention quite exhausted and braindead). I will definitely be studying those talks again when they are printed, I think everyone should. There is some amazing stuff in there.
Videos of Conference talks at LDS.org, texts will be there soon
Thursday, March 31, 2011
As Zion's Youth In Latter Days
This was the song we sang in seminary this morning. It hit me pretty hard, it is so beautiful.
( Hymn 256 - A Zion's Youth In Latter Days
Text: Susan Evans McCloud, b. 1945. © 1985 IRI
Music: Irish melody; arr. © 1985 IRI)
"O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
We stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes,
Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build;
The future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day
And pledge we will be true.
We stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes,
Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build;
The future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day
And pledge we will be true.
The truths and values we embrace
Are mocked on ev’ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey
We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us,
The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod
And find in this our joy.
Are mocked on ev’ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey
We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us,
The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod
And find in this our joy.
Thru test and trial we’ll have our fears,
But we will not despair.
We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
Truth gives us strength to dare.
We’ll love, and learn, and overcome;
We’ll sing a joyful song,
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
Triumphant, pure, and strong.
But we will not despair.
We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
Truth gives us strength to dare.
We’ll love, and learn, and overcome;
We’ll sing a joyful song,
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
Triumphant, pure, and strong.
( Hymn 256 - A Zion's Youth In Latter Days
Text: Susan Evans McCloud, b. 1945. © 1985 IRI
Music: Irish melody; arr. © 1985 IRI)
"O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
- Alma 37:35-37
"And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him."
- Alma 53:20-21
Monday, March 28, 2011
Let's get this one out of the way...
Homework.
We all hate it. It is annoying, stressful, and sometimes (being optimistic here) rather pointless.
Agreed? Good.
We also all procrastinate our homework at one point or another. Sad, but true. Don't believe me? I bet you can think of at least one time you put off homework until the last possible minute. Maybe the class before it was due...
(My friend Mister T does that. I have no idea how he gets away with it! He does quite a bit of his homework IN SCHOOL, yet he has good grades! That boy is a beast...)
Hmm, procrastination...I feel a Scripture Mastery coming on!
Alma 34:32-34 (Yeah. It's the long one.)
"...i beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end..."
In this case, I think of repentance as homework. =]
We all hate it. It is annoying, stressful, and sometimes (being optimistic here) rather pointless.
Agreed? Good.
We also all procrastinate our homework at one point or another. Sad, but true. Don't believe me? I bet you can think of at least one time you put off homework until the last possible minute. Maybe the class before it was due...
(My friend Mister T does that. I have no idea how he gets away with it! He does quite a bit of his homework IN SCHOOL, yet he has good grades! That boy is a beast...)
Hmm, procrastination...I feel a Scripture Mastery coming on!
Alma 34:32-34 (Yeah. It's the long one.)
"...i beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end..."
In this case, I think of repentance as homework. =]
The Necessary Intro at the Beginning of Everything
My name is Megy. (Duh. It says so to the left...)
I am starting this blog because...well, because I want to. It isn't about my life (completely), but rather about our lives. The lives of teenagers. LDS teenagers. In High School.
Because Highschool is nasty.
Yeah, being a teenager can be great. We get to have alot of fun - friends, driving, etc. But at the same time, it's hard. Especially in our modern world. There is so much going on around us that is NOT fun. Alot of temptations. It's difficult to stay true to our beliefs and strong in the gospel.
But we can do it. We are not alone. We have each other, and we have our Heavenly Father.
SO - This blog will (eventually) be full of...stuff. Encouragement, inspiration, problems we face, and the simple things too - good music and books, food...life. =]
I am starting this blog because...well, because I want to. It isn't about my life (completely), but rather about our lives. The lives of teenagers. LDS teenagers. In High School.
Because Highschool is nasty.
Yeah, being a teenager can be great. We get to have alot of fun - friends, driving, etc. But at the same time, it's hard. Especially in our modern world. There is so much going on around us that is NOT fun. Alot of temptations. It's difficult to stay true to our beliefs and strong in the gospel.
But we can do it. We are not alone. We have each other, and we have our Heavenly Father.
SO - This blog will (eventually) be full of...stuff. Encouragement, inspiration, problems we face, and the simple things too - good music and books, food...life. =]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)