Was it worth it? Ask me next Friday.

Daily Messages: The Paths Jesus Walked

Posted: 30 Mar 2013 08:00 AM PDT

"We cannot go to heaven in a feather bed. The Savior of the world entered after great pain and suffering. We, as servants, can expect no more than the Master. Before Easter there must be a cross. While we walk these paths which bring forth bitter sorrow, we can also walk those paths which yield eternal joy."

—Thomas S. Monson, "The Paths Jesus Walked", Ensign, Liahona, May 1974

And here I was trying to decide if it was time to get out of bed. *looks heavenward* you're funny, lol

Peanut Slabs.Racquetball&Rules

Guess what?! We've been playing racquetball wrong!! Last night we looked up the rules and had a pow wow today on how OFF our rules have been. It was interesting to realize how misplaced was our arrogance and confidence. It took some real mental wherewithal to reset our minds and follow the correct rules established by USA Racquetball. Although it was frustrating at first, I think we all started to really enjoy the game the way it was meant to be played.

Thursday my awesome friend gave me a pack of peanut slabs from her latest trip to the land of the long white cloud. After scarfing one down, I decided to save the rest for a post workout treat. I had to give one to my pops, but the last one was for Friday's dessert. All day Friday it was in the back of my mind and the foreground of my eyes, but I w a i t e d :) I'm not the most patient person. Ever heard of those behavior tests where you can get an extra marshmallow if you wait to eat the first for a set amount of time? That's what it felt like. *Little Victories*

Conquer your bodies/bridle your passions (food) lol.

Oh my...

Watch "One Man Les Miserables Nick Pitera Medley" on YouTube
This is seriously inspirational.

"However dim our days may seem they have been darker for the Savior of the world."
Jeffrey R. Holland

Racquetball is one of my latest obsessions. Today racquetball drew blood. It wasn't really bad except for the sadness of the player that hit me.

First of all, I know you shouldn't look behind you when someone is hitting forward -- it's just not safe. I have been hit in the cheek, eye and now mouth. The right side of my upper lip is noticeably swollen my lips are not always this luscious, lol. It reminds me of Two Face, the Batman villain, to a lesser extent. I'll post my picture later, if it ever makes it to my email.

Anyway, I say sadness and not remorse because it wasn't his fault. I know better than to look back during a game and I did it anyway. [My aim in breaking all rules of common sense is to watch the hitter so I can gauge the direction of the hit and anticipate the location of the ball when it bounces off the play wall.]

The thought of him not wanting to play anymore because of something I did makes me feel sad. This guy loves Racquetball and plays his heart out every time. Plus he and I make great team mates, haha. He offered me a sad hug on my way back to the court and didn't play as fervently as normal.

I am proud of myself for not crying (just tears), but in all honesty, if I could've seen the blood in my mouth I probably would've cried just because it was me! I've done that before. My lips were already chapped before the incident and my mouth was open when it happened (an athlete's gotta breathe!) so it made the hit worse because the ball deepened the cracks on my lips and my upper teeth cut into the skin inside my mouth. No, I will not post a picture of that. (But now that I mention it I will take a picture for my own records, heh.) Not pretty, but not terrible.

Okay I'm rambling.

Happy Sunday :)

New Music

My new favorite songs.

I wish my friends and I had a water hole as cool as these dudes. I wonder if they're willing to share, hahaa.


I love her classic vibe. Parental Guidance Suggested - there's one offensive word...

The Atonement is not a one time thing :)

Cleaning my room today, I found old notes from a Jim Rohn audiobook I listened to, maybe three or four years ago. My friend Eric recommended I give his Workshop a try and at the time it seemed idealistic, insightful, moderately applicable; but during this season of uncertainty for me, it rings so much more true.

I'm including the questions below and invite you to be honest with yourself as answer each item. You will be surprised how your priorities change over time and the consistency of some unappealing qualities.

Jim Rohn's Goal Workshop

Study this model, implement it and teach it to others!

1.) On a separate sheet of paper, List 5 things you have already accomplished that you are proud of.

When you think about it, you have already accomplished things in life and now it is time to deliberately focus and multiply your effectiveness.

2.) Think about what you want in the next 10 years?

Make a list of 50 things you want to accomplish. Write as fast as you can everything that comes to mind and let your mind run free. This is not a list of what you "think you can get" don't put any limitations on this. Think about what it is you want and imagine you could receive anything and everything you asked for. Make a list of everything you would ask for and list them one under the other. Abbreviate and write as fast as you can anything that comes to mind, from places to visit, investments, education for kids, personal things, business things, skills you want to learn, investment properties, experiences you want to have, and vacations you want to take. If you get stuck keep asking yourself "if I could have anything what would it be."

If you knew you could accomplish anything you wanted what you set out to do? Just think of what you would like to do if you knew you could not fail. Don't let your rational mind take over for this exercise, turn off your filter that says you can't or it would never happen or it's not possible. It might help to imagine you just won the lottery and now have a $100 million to play with.

3.) Go through the list and determine when you want to accomplish each thing. Write down next to each one a 1, 3, 5, or 10. The "1" represents you want to accomplish it within 1 year, "3" = 3 years, "5" = 5 years and "10" = 10 years

4.) Look at all of the items you marked 1 and identify the top 4 and create a new list of your top 4 things you want in 1 years time. This list should be on a new piece of paper or at least on the back where you have plenty of room to write. For each item write down WHY you want it, what will it do for you, what will you accomplish from it? Why did you pick this one, why is it important to you? Make sure you write at least 3-4 sentences.

When your "why" gets stronger the "how" gets easier. When you do not have strong, powerful, clear goals the "how" becomes almost impossible. Purpose is stronger then the objective. For example, it is great to want to live in a Million dollar house. However, there is more power in the why you want it or "what for?" you must understand what you want it for? What do you feel it will bring you?

Just like a story, the drama is in the details. Keep describing why you want your goals and what is it for, what purpose will it serve? This drama, if you will, will start to tap your imagination. The key is to mix your imagination and your emotions with your goals. Imagination is the beginning of reality. Start practicing the skill of developing your imagination and understanding the purpose and you will realize how closely related the imagination is to reality of accomplishing your goals.

You must pay the price to get the prize(reward). Take action and work on a game plan. Keep in mind that the work gets easier as the prize gets larger. Make it worth your own while, don't wait for "one day" or wait for someone else or depend on anyone but yourself. It is crucial to develop self motivation, self-control, self-discipline, self-esteem by focusing on your "WHY" and the prize. You have the capacity to develop the habits and skills to achieve what you want. Turn your wants into goals and develop a plan to achieve it. Break it into daily actions and give yourself a reward for every accomplishment no matter the size. A great skill to develop is teaching and helping others do this same process of goal setting, this in return will help and motivate you.

5.) Go through your list and treat them as goals. Count how many 1, 3, 5, and 10's. Write down how many of each. You do not want all 1's and no 10's. Make sure you have a good balance and plenty to keep you going. You must challenge yourself in order to grow and feel fulfilled in life.

6.) Think about what type of person you must become in order to accomplish your list of goals. Write down at least 3-4 sentences describing the person you must become in order to accomplish your list. 

Jim Rohn's mentor told him something that changed his whole way of thinking. He said, you should make a goal to become a millionaire because of what it will make of you to achieve it. The major reason you should set goals and work to attain them is for what it makes of you and who you become as you achieve your goals. In order to reach your goals you must develop your skills and develop your ways of thinking. By applying what you learn and developing the characteristics that help you accomplish your goals you begin to develop muscle (strength and power) and that is most valuable! That is why you should go for something that is fairly lofty and challenging.

If you want to develop leadership skills, in order to grow, you must not always choose the path of least resistance or just go with the flow. If you keep going with what life gives you and want more out of life you must do more. Don't join an easy crowd where expectations are low or where they don't care, if you do it will be very hard for you to grow. You must go where the expectations are high and you are challenged to learn, change, develop and succeed. It's the challenge that develops the muscle it takes to become better, wiser, stronger and more unique. When you become a unique person worth a million dollars, then money doesn't matter, what's important is the person you have become to accomplish it. This is a very important concept to understand.

You must continue exercises that challenge you and will help you grow. What matters in life is your state of mind, skills, development, personality and all the extraordinary things you can accomplish from within. If you stop this development of personal achievement, you will stop your true potential and short change yourself. This may cause you to feel unsatisfied with life or lack passion. This may cause you to drift through life going with the current, not feeling like you are in control but life controls.

You have the choice right now to make life about development, discovery, helping people, growing, prospering and to fulfill your purpose. We need adventure, to rise to the challenge so you don't leave your life unfulfilled. Don't leave a game not played. You should always climb new mountains, don't spend your time sliding down old ones. Keep going for it, build a huge business or organization, this will keep you stimulated and fulfilled. You must be a student and continue to grow and apply yourself. By continuing to grow you will be able to accomplish the list you wrote down. Let it challenge you to become a unique person and stand tall in your own eyes. Believe in what you can accomplish and take action towards its attainment. You will know when you are doing your best and paying the price to achieve your goals, this will allow you to grow and to take on new and bigger goals.

Take your list of 4 top goals and set a date for when you will achieve them. It is VERY IMPORTANT to take immediate action no matter how small. Carry this paper with you and look at it daily. See yourself already accomplishing these goals, think about how it will make you feel when you accomplish it, get the feeling of your "why" you want them. Every time a challenge faces you or you get negative feelings or you start thinking of all the excuses of why you can't accomplish your goal, focus on your why you want it and the benefit of what you will gain from the goal. Keep taking action and then take more action until you accomplish your goal.

The list you made of your desires is a part of you, there is a gap that is between you and what you want. You must learn to bridge that gap, most people look to fill that gap with many things that are harmful, unfulfilling or distracting. TV and Media are HUGE distractions, if you want to accomplish your goals look at how you spend your time, your habits and the choices you make.

Personal Daily Contact:  Visiting in person, through someone else or by phone with someone who needs daily encouragement. That's what we called it in my mission:  PDC. I'm grateful for the Lord's faithfulness in providing PDC for me.

"...isolating only hinders us from truly dealing with our hurts, habits, and hang-ups."
From a blog abt 10th things you should do to strengthen your marriage. I think it's from letter blogs? It's on my pinterest too.

"Each day ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ and our families."
Russell M. Nelson



P.S. I feel like a new woman! In one day I've learned a lot about myself and my deal breakers. Some decisions are hard, but a leap of faith and the support of loved ones is just the kind of medicine I need.

God be with you til we meet again :)

Dig deeper and learn with more clarity.

Words said in anger are sharper than any sword and more deadly than any firearm; remember that when you speak to people you love.

Stinky Feet!

My legs aren't hairy, but it sure looks like it.

pu·sil·lan·i·mous /ˌpyoosəˈlanəməs/

Adjective Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.

Synonyms cowardly - faint-hearted - poor-spirited - recreant

Watch "The Will of God" on YouTube

I will?

"If you want something to last forever, you treat it differently. You shield it and protect it. You never abuse it. You don’t expose it to the elements. You don’t make it common or ordinary. If it ever becomes tarnished, you lovingly polish it until it gleams like new. It becomes special because you have made it so, and it grows more beautiful and precious as time goes by.

Eternal marriage is just like that. We need to treat it just that way. I pray that we may see it for the priceless gift that it is..."

"From the beginning she knew what kind of marriage she wanted."

F. Burton Howard, “Eternal Marriage,” Liahona, May 2003

Tonight someone asked me if not having a temple marriage was a deal breaker. My answer was a muddled "Yes" and I was bothered by my less than emphatic response.

We're always told to "decide now" and in my mind I thought I already made that determination. With the passage of time and no need to act on that decision, it has lost its definition. I said something like, maybe if I'm desperate when I'm older I might consider it, but he'd have to be amazing.

With a little more time to think about it, this is my conclusion:

If he were amazing I might settle for a civil ceremony, but I don't plan to be dating someone who couldn't attend the temple or wasn't close to being able (equally yoked and all that good stuff); and if he truly loved me, I would hope that he wouldn't want me to give up that dream and settle.

Purely hypothetical ;)

In other news BJ's pizookie is Mmm mmm good. My calorie counter did flips in the wrong direction tonight. Tomorrow's another op.

“The Divine Institution of Marriage,” mormonnewsroom.org

The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility towards homosexual men and women. Protecting marriage between a man and a woman does not affect Church members’ Christian obligations of love, kindness and humanity toward all people.

"If you havin girl problems I feel bad for you son."

No, actually I don't, but that's a funny line.

Funniest job post of the day:

NEED CLOSERS, NOT POSERS ... $2K+ WEEKLY!!!

Haha. Man, some of these employers are really funny. They want excellent or highly motivated, but they offer peanuts. Give me two more months and I'll probably be willing to apply.

Still looking.

"you never realize how strong you are until being strong is all you have left." Courage video on Mormon messages YouTube channel.

"There are no enduring relationships without forgiveness."

James MacDonald

"A friend loves at all times..." Proverbs 17:17

You know you've eaten too much when you lose count. Oops.

"Those who are truly reverent are the ones who have paid the price to know the glory of the Father and His Son."
L. Tom Perry

It will rain

I love the rain ... from indoors. I can't remember playing in the rain as a kid. I think I had too healthy a fear of my mother's disapproval to be an all out dancing in the rain kind of kid, but I know I loved jumping in puddles. I didn't get to play in the rainfall, but I sure benefited from the aftermath!

Dancing in the rain is on my bucket list. I don't know why it's taking me forever to do it. There's always rain this time of year. I guess it's not something I really want to do before I die, but an experience that I would enjoy (and I'd possibly catch a cold...there goes my mother again).

My sophomore English teacher taught me that rain is used in movies and novels to denote change. I didn't have much fun during our Shakespeare unit, but the one useful piece of information I came away with is rain = change. It might be a realization, death, windfall, etc. We can't always have sunny days and sometimes the adversity of rain and dark, gloomy days is the kick in the butt we need in order to level up.

It's raining lightly outside :)

The other thing on my mind is planning. Many of us plan our lives. The details aren't always clear, but we have a general idea of where we want to go. When I was a teenager I wrote a letter to myself to be opened in 10 years. I think I ended up reading it at year four or five. I had a whole plan of things I wanted to accomplish and where I wanted to be at...at marriage and baby in a baby carriage, the whole nine. Fast forward 10-15 years and my plan is not coming to pass on my timeline.

It's interesting how many of us make plans without counseling with the Great Planner himself, our Heavenly Father. I hope I can truthfully say that I'm better at including Him in my plans now. I know for sure I didn't plan to be unemployed for this long, but somehow we're making it. I'm grateful for my family's support and non-judgmental stares when I tell them I'm tired after staying home or only working a few hours at my part time job. I'm trying.

He will guide us through the storms of our lives when we let Him. King Benjamin told his people to turn their tents toward the Temple. This is my trying to turn myself in the same direction.

Love & Blessings.

Discipline means guidance, not punishment.

Laura Markham

The hands down best time to read is when everyone else is asleep. The house is so peaceful with the lulling deep breathing and soft snoring of the ones I love. Moe moe pepe :)

I'm reading 50 pages an hour. I'm pausing to look up funny words like "nattered" and other random Aussie stuff, but for the most part I think the number is accurate. I can't imagine reading this book faster, not only because I'm not a speed reader, but because full  appreciation for art should not be rushed...says the slow reader, lol.

Love,

The slow "passionate reader"

God is good all the time.

All the time God is good.

Today is my parents' 41st :)
He wanted me to bear my testimony.
He helped me pay my tithing.

He is God, el todopoderoso.

I love Him.

My parents going for a drive on a Sunday afternoon is their kinda romance. They're not always openly mushy, but I love to see em do the most with that "help meet" principle.

Genesis 2:18
And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.