New Eyes
Through a recent and not so recent chain of events & experiences the Spirit has impressed upon my heart and mind a thought, an idea or phrase that I want & need to do better to live by.
I shared the above quote on Facebook with the following thought:
Our journey through mortality is not a competition. It is a time to develop love & experience joy!
In order to develop love & experience joy I needed to start finding the good in others (and myself). As this notion rolled around in my mind I have found myself blessed with a new set of eyes. Eyes that allow me to learn from the "good" of others, to see the "good" efforts they are making on their journey through mortality.
I will share an couple experiences to illustrate:
At our recent Stake Conference I observed from several rows back, a friend with her 7 children; 6 boys ages 11-2 (the youngest two are twins) & a baby girl around 6 months. On this particular day her husband was not with her. I went home that day and sent her the following message, I want you to know that you set a beautiful example for me yesterday, as I sat several rows behind you at Stake Conference. From the time you arrived, with your cute kiddos trailing behind you until the amen of the closing prayer you taught me what it means to be a covenant daughter of our Heavenly Father & mother in the gospel. I don't know what was going on in your mind or heart but what I saw was a loving mother who was patient & kind to many little ones for two long hours. I saw a mother who finds joy in her children & her role as a mother. Thank you for touching my heart yesterday and teaching me volumes by your example!
I was so moved by this experience that I shared it on Facebook: I am here to give a shout out to all those tired mommy friends who who feel like they are drowning in faliure . . . I witnessed something beautiful and wonderful as I stopped by a friend's this afternoon to pick something up. As I visited with her about the antics of her two year old twins recent capper of searching out the hair clippers & one of then shaving his own head & about her four year olds creative rearranging of the game closet (dumping style) her grade school son c...ame home. He wanted to play baseball & patiently waited for me to back my van out of the driveway. He wanted someone to throw the ball with. She was tired & had other things on her agenda. She patiently & kindly told the grade schooler not now. He kindly asked again, and she agreed to throw him two balls. I don't know what was going on in her mind as she played catch for a few seconds, but what I witnessed was a mom giving her all to show her son that he mattered & that in those few moments amidst her very crazy day he was special! . . .You tired mommies out there are doing better than you think! You touched my heart today & taught me volumes by your example of what it means to nurture a child!
There IS good in the world and I am on a personal quest to find it, recognize it, and learn from it!
Look for the Good!
I saw a need in my life to look for the good in myself & those close to me. Instead of frequently noticing my weaknesses and the shortcomings of my family members I need to focus on their strengths and the ways in which I am improving.
We live in a competitive world. A culture in which we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. We match our weaknesses to another's strengths. A culture where we expect perfection of ourselves and others. A culture that isn't forgiving when we have a bad day.
We live in a world that is filled with filth. A society that is a "vortex of sin & iniquity". We live in a time when good is considered evil & evil is considered good.
Or at least this is what the Adversary would have us believe & how he would like us to behave . . .
I came home from the General Women's Meeting (part of General Conference) with the impression planted in my heart & mind that I know longer want to take part in these ideas that are circulating in our culture, society & world.
I shared the above quote on Facebook with the following thought:
Our journey through mortality is not a competition. It is a time to develop love & experience joy!
In order to develop love & experience joy I needed to start finding the good in others (and myself). As this notion rolled around in my mind I have found myself blessed with a new set of eyes. Eyes that allow me to learn from the "good" of others, to see the "good" efforts they are making on their journey through mortality.
I will share an couple experiences to illustrate:
At our recent Stake Conference I observed from several rows back, a friend with her 7 children; 6 boys ages 11-2 (the youngest two are twins) & a baby girl around 6 months. On this particular day her husband was not with her. I went home that day and sent her the following message, I want you to know that you set a beautiful example for me yesterday, as I sat several rows behind you at Stake Conference. From the time you arrived, with your cute kiddos trailing behind you until the amen of the closing prayer you taught me what it means to be a covenant daughter of our Heavenly Father & mother in the gospel. I don't know what was going on in your mind or heart but what I saw was a loving mother who was patient & kind to many little ones for two long hours. I saw a mother who finds joy in her children & her role as a mother. Thank you for touching my heart yesterday and teaching me volumes by your example!
I was so moved by this experience that I shared it on Facebook: I am here to give a shout out to all those tired mommy friends who who feel like they are drowning in faliure . . . I witnessed something beautiful and wonderful as I stopped by a friend's this afternoon to pick something up. As I visited with her about the antics of her two year old twins recent capper of searching out the hair clippers & one of then shaving his own head & about her four year olds creative rearranging of the game closet (dumping style) her grade school son c...ame home. He wanted to play baseball & patiently waited for me to back my van out of the driveway. He wanted someone to throw the ball with. She was tired & had other things on her agenda. She patiently & kindly told the grade schooler not now. He kindly asked again, and she agreed to throw him two balls. I don't know what was going on in her mind as she played catch for a few seconds, but what I witnessed was a mom giving her all to show her son that he mattered & that in those few moments amidst her very crazy day he was special! . . .You tired mommies out there are doing better than you think! You touched my heart today & taught me volumes by your example of what it means to nurture a child!
There IS good in the world and I am on a personal quest to find it, recognize it, and learn from it!
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