Gratitude Day #11

I know I've already been grateful for tender mercies, so while that is still on my mind, today I'm focusing my gratitude on feeling love from my Heavenly Father. I know often love from above comes in the form if others. The past two days my testimony of this has grown so much. I have been shown through others a lot the past few days of how much my Heavenly Father thinks of me. I have been struggling a little bit trying to figure out if I'm truly capable of all I've been handed at this point in my life. I have been feeling overwhelmed by everything that is going on in my life. The past two days, yesterday especially, I was shown by my Father that my efforts are being noticed and that I am on track. I am able to feel His love so strongly in my life. It is really such a good feeling. I know that I am completely capable and that as ling as I am "anxiously engaged" and doing my best, I will be able to accomplish and overcome all that I am currently looking at in my life.

Gratitude Day #10

I'm grateful for perspective. Being able to see beyond myself and realize that my worries are small in the grand scheme of things.

Gratitude Day #9

I'm grateful for a good nights sleep. It really calms me down and helps me to get a better perspective on things. Yesterday I was having a day where I had not had enough sleep and work and just everything in life was seriously overwhelming. I felt like I was on the edge of a breaking point. All it took was going to bed earlier and getting a good nights sleep. Today I feel like I can conquer the world. I know that I can do everything and handle everything that is being thrown my way.

Gratitude Day #8

The Internet. I'm grateful that a full wealth of knowledge is right at my finger tips. Anything I could want to know is available online and I can find it with almost no issue. If I am wondering what a talk said in the last conference, I can find it immediately. It's amazing what technology has accomplished and what it is doing to help further the work of God. It's been a real blessing to me over the past few days. 

Gratitude Day #7

Today I'm grateful for tender mercies. For the foresight that Heavenly Father has to put those people in our life that are most going to uplift us. I know that often Heavenly Father blesses us through other people, and we just have to be looking for Him in their words and deeds. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so grateful that tonight I got to experience that love through someone else. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan, all we have to do is trust Him. If I trust Him and turn my will completely have to Him, I know that I will make it safely home to Him. I'm so grateful for those that demonstrate that through their words and actions. 

Gratitude Day #6

It's the first Sunday of the month and daylight savings Sunday. Today is a day when I feel so much love and gratitude in my heart. I can't even begin to express all the gratitude that I feel in my heart. As I sit and reflect on those things that I have in my life as a blessing, I am astounded again at my Father's love for me. Today being fast Sunday, I am so grateful for testimonies. 

There is so much strength that is made evident every first Sunday of a month. I am so grateful that I am allowed and have choose to participate in it. There is strength in being surrounded by those that have the same values and beliefs as I do. Today was one of those days where I really was uplifted. As I sat and listened to everyone share their knowledge of the Savior and the truthfulness of this gospel, I was overcome. I felt in my heart the truth that was shared. It was an opportunity for me to have a gentle reassurance of the truth of the gospel. 

I know the gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he died for me. I know that there is a living prophet on the earth today. President Thomas S. Monson is called of God. I know that abiding by His word and the words of the scriptures, I can obtain eternal happiness. I know I am loved by my Heavenly Father. I am truly grateful for testimonies and their building power. 

Gratitude Day #5

Today is simple. Today I'm grateful for college football. Not only is college football fun to watch and participate in, it's an equalizer. It is something that a lot of people like and have in common. It breaks down barriers and allows people to talk and enjoy themselves. I love college football!

Gratitude Day #4

Tonight I got a phone call from an old friend. He recently got engaged, and so having him call me at 1 in the morning was a little weird. He was calling for advice. Somehow when he said that I knew it was relationship advice. He laid out the issues for me. As he did so, I started to get mad. When I responded, I'm pretty sure he was surprised by my lack of advice. I didn't actually have any advice to give in the problem. I could have, however,the reason was mad is because here is an engaged man, on the phone with another girl looking for advice on his girl. I actually saw it as him looking for a justification that he was right from a female source. My only advice to him was that he should be talking to his fiancé about this. That he should be working it through with her. 

As I hung up the phone, I was able to reflect on my own relationship. We have had some rocky times, but overall, we have always talked to each other. We get through because we are 100% honest with each other. If I ever feel like I need an outside source, I call my mom and look for advice. Tonight, I am grateful for my ability to communicate effectively. And for the good relationships that are formed off of the ability to talk. I know that it all is because I have developed communication with my Heavenly Father that helps set a pattern for the rest of my relationships. 

Gratitude Day #3

Today was a really good day in Kara land. I woke up and immediately started getting things done. I got into work and got some things taken care of. My boss wasn't around and there were decisions that needed to be made. I took the initiative and made decisions. Nothing big mind you, but decisions none the less. I made some calls and then started getting some product put together. I decided what the prices were going to be at the center. I know the prices are probably eventually going to be changed by those above me, but it still got done. I outlined the duties of one of the interns and was able to more fully explain her job to her. Basically, my day was very productive and I actually started feeling like an asset at my job. I know I'm good at what I do, but this job is stretching outside the bounds of my expertise and really making me go outside of my comfort zone and learn new things. 

So today am I once again reminded how grateful I am for my ability to adapt and to grow. I am grateful that in this life that is our goal. We were put here on this earth to learn and grow and develop. That is our whole purpose. We are here to become more Godlike. I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity to learn more about my abilities. To learn what I can accomplish and to see myself get it done. I can see the path that has been paved for me in life as I reflect back. I can see how everything in my life has led to this point and has prepared me for this. Now this is the next stretch. This is just outside what I'm capable of doing and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to grow and become even more.  

Gratitude Day #2

Today as I was driving down the road I had this overwhelming need to call my mom. I had a lot I needed to talk to her about, to sort out the feelings and the unsettled thoughts in my head. I called her and she gave me the response I was looking for and gave me the support I needed. When I was talking about my confusion that held my head in a cloud, she responded with what I needed to here. She said something along the lines of me needing to stop thinking and just go eith what feels right. 

So today, I am eternally grateful for my Mom. I know that I was sent to the family that I have for a reason. My Mom often knows me better than I know myself. She loves me more than I can comprehend. I so grateful for the influence my Mom is in my life and for being my best friend and my balancing force. I love you Mom!  

Gratitude Day #1

While I appeared to be complaining about Utah weather today on my Facebook, I am very grateful for how nice the weather has been the past three days. It has seriously been a nice little break from the rain and the snow. I love that when I walk outside it is gorgeous and I don't have to wear a coat. 

So while I know the weather is probably going to be changing again soon, I'm extremely glad that it has lasted as long as it has. I have always said that Utah weather is like a woman going through menopause, and I still maintain that this is true. I'm just glad that the hot flashes are going through November as of right now. 

Attitude of Gratitude

This being the first day of November, gratitude has been on my mind. Last night as I was preparing a spiritual thought for ward prayer, my mind was drawn back to President Monson's talk from General Conference. I decided to read the talk, and find some material that I could pass on to those that would come to ward prayer.

The first little nugget that hit me was a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley, "When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives."

Walk with gratitude. That is big. That doesn't mean that I am just grateful, that means that my whole being is full of gratitude at all times. I don't have to think about it, I just am. That is a gift that I could possess. When I, as a being, am possessed with gratitude, I don't have any form of pride in me. This will reflect in my life, it will reflect in my countenance, and it will enrich my life.

President Monson asks us how we can cultivate in our hearts gratitude. He turns to President Joseph F. Smith, "The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!"

It's another example of overcoming weakness! If I turn to God, He will help me see all the reasons to be grateful in my life. I remember one week when I tried to make this a priority in my life. I specifically prayed to have a Spirit of gratitude with me at all times. I saw the world in so much better terms and was so grateful for everything that was put in it.

"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.'

"When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessing. However if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given."

I love that. My goal for this next month of November is to cultivate and Attitude of Gratitude. I am going to be looking for things to be grateful for everyday of this month. It's my own personal experiment to see how this enriches my life and how it visibly changes it.

Antoine Obama

So on Saturday night I went to iHop to get some late night breakfast. While I was there, I saw 2 guys dressed up in security type dress (sunglasses, ear pieces, suits etc). Then they were followed by 2 more. Following them was a guy and a girl dressed up pretty nice, he was in a suit, she was in a skirt suit. They were followed by 2 more security types. The security quickly spread through the room and one of them then announced, "Listen up everybody, President Obama has something he would like to say." The nice dressed couple were dressed as President and Michelle Obama for Halloween. The Guy dressed up as President Obama was someone I recognized but couldn't put my finger on... Then it hit me, he's YouTube famous for this video:



"President Obama" began his speech, "It appears we have a rapist here, in Lincoln Park. Everyone needs to hide their wives, hide their children and to hide their husbands because they are raping everybody out here." He continued with a reference to being so dumb, and that we could run and tell that homeboy. He had a convincing Obama speech going. If I had only been listening, I might be convinced that it was actually Obama. He then ended with, "We can be the Change!"

If you don't recognize that speech, you may need to watch this video:



As he finished up, he was trying to leave and everyone wanted a picture. The security detail would actually address him as President Obama, and they would take pictures for people. Finally they announced that he had another appointment to get to, and walked out. That was their sole purpose for being there that night. It made my Halloween. One of the more clever things I've seen in Provo.

I'm currently searching YouTube for a possible video of this being done. If I find it, I will post that as well.

All Hallows Eve

Today is Halloween. This being a Sunday, here in Utah, Halloween was celebrated yesterday. Halloween is one of my personal favorite holidays. For an entire day, you get to dress up and be someone different for the day. I love make believe and pretend. I love the opportunity to do this, so having a full day that is dedicated to this, it makes it my favorite holiday. 

This year was a bit different though. Due to my new job, as well as other complications this weekend, I did not put the prep into it that I usually do. Friday night was the stake activity and I was in charge of the photo booth. I hurried home from work to get changed and get there. I was thinking that I would just through on my dress from last year and be an 80's prom queen. I got all ready, my side pony tail was up etc. I went to put on my dress, and I was no where to be found. No where. I couldn't find it. I went into a mild panic because I was already late. Luckily I have extra costumes, so I through on my dress from when I was the good fairy Flora. I threw on a crown and called it good. 

I was just a princess, but as I walked into the activity, someone yelled, "Princess Peach, that's awesome." My costume was decided. I was now Princess Peach. I ended up taking photos for the night which was fun, but it meant I had limited interaction with other people. However, I was able to get a little bit planned and ended up having a group of people over for a movie after the activity. I was really impressed with myself. I have been trying to make friends and to be social in an attempt to make my life balanced. And I succeeded. I had people over Friday night, I was social yesterday too and tonight I have a lot of social plans. 

This weekend has been a real example to me. Being social had become a weakness for me. I didn't like to reach out of my comfort zone to make friends and to get to know people. I preferred to stay with my old groups or at home. However due to the fact that my friends are getting married or graduating, I don't have a lot of people around anymore. I know that I need to be social though and that I need to have good people in my life. So I turned to the Lord. As I was pondering how I could get to know more people, a scripture popped into my mind. Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

It hit me. This was a weakness. This is something that I needed to become strong in my life. I kneeled down and asked my Heavenly Father to help me with this weakness. While I haven't become the most social person in the world, I am starting to see the difference in my life. This weekend was a real testimony builder to me. I know that if the Lord is included, anything is possible. 

In the World, but not of the World

Today in sacrament meeting, the theme of the talks was to be in the world, but not of the world. This subject hit me hard today as I feel lately I have been tempted to see myself in the worlds image too much. I haven't been seeing myself through the eyes of the Lord, rather through the eyes of the photographers of magazines. I can only see how much about myself I want to change. This has put my life into a small bit of turmoil. I am losing focus of the important things of life. I am still doing that which should be bringing me closer to God, however, my heart is not always in it. I couldn't figure out why this was, I knew I wasn't all there, but I couldn't figure out the reasons behind it. 

Today was my breakthrough while I was sitting in church. I wasn't feeling church like I usually do, so I started to delve into the possible reasons why. I realized that my focus has been wrong. As I started to think about this more, a hymn popped into my head. Be still my Soul. I realized that I that I let everything cloud my mind. I really just need to slow down and allow myself to be still. 

So this week, I'm going to focus on allowing myself to take things slow and to be in the world instead of being of the world. This week is a bigger focus on the things that matter. And learning to shut out the bad influences in my life.