Before I begin let me warn you that this post is not typical for me. I have been having some thoughts that I just feel like getting down and I figured this was a good place for it. I also hope that in some small way the information I share will benefit someone else, as it has me. To sum it up… sorry that I am getting sappy and personal here.
I am currently attending a class by Sherrie Johnson, BYU religion professor and Education Week speaker, on Living in Truth. This class is PHENOMENAL! She has helped me to really have a desire to make my life better by having positive thoughts. The past few months I have doubted some of my decisions and often wonder what my life would be like now had I made different decisions. (i.e. quitting my career, where I live, spacing of children, etc.) Even though I prayerfully made these decisions, and then felt good about them afterwards. So what productive or positive comes out of doubting and creating negative thoughts and feelings about my decisions? NOTHING! Accept and move forward making the best of everyday. Negative thoughts just make it harder for us to hear the Spirits promptings. David O McKay quoted, “The kind of life you live, your disposition, your very nature, will be determined by your thoughts, of which your acts are but the outward expression. Thought is the seed of action.” This helped me to realize that I don’t only need to worry about what I do, but also (and maybe more importantly) what I think.
Sister Johnson also encourages those in attendance to choose to write a positive life story. This hit me. We choose our story. We decide to let the things that we are faced with make us happy or unhappy. Of course we are doing to have hard times. Everyone is faced with challeges and trials. Sherrie's main challenge for this past year was a brain tumor, and she could honestly say that she had faith and remained postive throughout this period of necessary pain. She said this about writing a postive story, “We are all authors. We write the story of our lives day by day as we give meaning to the events that occur in our lives. As we write our stories it is important to realize that it is not what happens to us that creates the pain or happiness in life; IT IS HOW WE REACT to WHAT HAPPENS TO US. We write our own story! We can write a positive story or we can write a negative story.” So if we are unhappy what story are we writing for ourselves? What negative thoughts are we harboring as details in our life stories? Having attended this class I am more aware that my problems are usually made worse in my head, thus I am inflicting myself with unnecessary pain. Unnecessary pain poisons us. It creates fear and doubt-neither of which are from God.
Sherrie Johnson has a blog. It is inspiring and uplifting. Read it! Sherriejohnson.blogspot.com or you can find it under my friends list titled"Good News."
She has challenged her followers to think of one thing they are grateful for each day of this month. I am trying to do this. I wanted to write down a few things that I have thought of so far.
1. My Savior
2. The gospel and the direction and hope that it gives me
3. A truly amazing husband who loves his family and works so hard for them.
4. Two healthy and beautiful daughters who have already taught me so much.
5. Parents who have raised me in the gospel and have taught me so many valuable lessons.
6. Good friends. Old and young. Newer friends and friends who have been there for me for many years.
7. Laughter-especially when it comes from either of my two girls.
8. Sunshine
9. The family I married into and the love they have shown me from day one.
10. Good food
11. P 90x even though it kills me
12. Sisters (this includes all of my sisters- in- laws, because I think if you all as my sisters.)
13. A good night’s sleep
14. An education
15. The opportunity to teach at Western. It was challenging, rewarding, and ultimately life changing.
16. Volleyball
17. Good health for my family members and myself
OK I will quit here, so I don’t bore you to death…that is if you are still reading and didn't give up after my disclaimer. If there are any interested maybe I will post a little summary of my next class, which is tomorrow.
3 comments:
I really enjoyed reading this. I would love to hear more about what you learn in the class so I say post more.
awesome Melissa, great food for thought!
You are an inspiration! You are a very strong individual Melissa! I have learned so much from you, and your example. Way to lift yourself and those around you. I too have been thinking I need to have more gratitude and focus more on the positive things in my life instead of the negative. Mom and I were just talking about this the other day too, when she mentioned she had to give a talk at Zone Conference on gratitude. I would love to hear more- I think it is a good reminder for all!
Love you!
Mo
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