a world of comparisons

Some of you have maybe heard the quote "comparison is the thief of joy". In this world of social media all we see are the "perfect" lives of other people and the pictures that are being posted. We don't know each individuals story or what they really go through. We don't see their insecurities and struggles…we just see the small surface of something that appears to be effortless and beautiful. I think that because of social media, comparing is at an all time high and relationships lack true substance. Sometimes we only know a person by their Instagram and Facebook posts and we are missing the whole picture. We are becoming so envious of other peoples lives that we are forgetting to look at how amazing our own is…we are forgetting to live our lives. If we really only knew the true strength and beauty that we each hold..and how we are all so much more similar than we think. Constantly comparing yourself to others can bring so much unhappiness and discontentment.. it can bring fear into your life and keep you from making decisions and taking leaps of faith. Don't let comparing steal the joy your life has to offer. Create meaningful and real relationships, discover the depth of true beauty, and know that you are incredible. 

xoxo

Just remember that you are stronger and more beautiful than you can even fathom… and that if you keep pushing and fighting just one more day, tomorrow will be better. 

simple.

My post today is simple. 
Life can be simple--we just live in a world of complication and expectation.
Your biggest expectation is to live and be happy. This isn't always easy or possible, but finding those small and simple things that make you happy everyday is most important.
Be simply grateful for where you are at and what you are doing. Your "once upon a time" is now and you don't need anyone else's approval.
Be grateful for the angels that surround you and the people God has blessed you with. They are in your life for a reason and you are in theirs for a reason. Find a little more charity in your heart and try to see others for who they truly are.
Life doesn't always have to be as complicated as we make it. Don't worry too much about the future or hold on too much to the past. Take things one day at a time and try to find the simplicity and beauty in each day.

You are truly blessed and oh so special.

xoxo

Dedicated to my sweet Cougarette teammates. Never have I met more selfless and giving girls who are so in tune with the spirit and those around them. It was truly a blessing to share the stage with you this weekend and to be surrounded by you each and everyday. Thank you for being my angels and for making me stronger.

BE

Thinking about the future can bring anxiety. Thinking about the past can bring regret. So how do you live in the moment and not think about those things? How do you figure out how to "not think" and just BE? If we can master this, we can completely be soaked in each days moments and find the most joy. What types of things are giving you anxiety? What instances from the past do you need to let go of? … Each one of us have thoughts like this on a daily basis, but it is possible to get rid of them and have those BE moments. Here are a few "how to's" :
…Blogging world...Don't worry so much about what other people think. We live in this social media world where Instagram and Facebook define us and we compare ourselves to that other person who has more "likes". We are defined by our photos and our posts… and what we see on the internet has become our reality. We are becoming envious, quick to judge, and more critical of ourselves. Take a break from the social media world (literally) and take the time to remember all of the good in your life. This life is yours, and the person and dreamer that you are is just what the world needs. We don't need the next epic post, we need more people making a difference in the world without having to tell the world. So don't forget your beauty. And don't feel like you have to post about it either. Instead of taking the time to post up, take the time to get out and be you! Take the time to talk to people, do what you love, and find your own happiness. Don't let the internet define that for you.
…You know those moments that remind you how beautiful life really is? You can't really go searching for them, but I want you to take the time this week to let an opportunity like that happen. Go to dinner with old friends that know will make your laugh, get outside and go on a hike. If your weather is anything like Utah's has been, being outside is heaven right now:) …just be with the ones you love or go somewhere new and fall in love with what is out there. Life awaits and there are too many wonderful possibilities to just sit around and watch.
…When thinking about the future, don't let anxiety take over your and make you immovable. Be hopeful and have faith. And put that faith into action. We have been told that with faith and the Lords help, we cannot fail. Try not to think about what is ahead too much--- you can't control that much right now and you might miss what is happening right in front of you.
…Today has just been one of those days where I was reminded about the beautiful things in life. So I wanted to share this and remind each one of you how beautiful life really is. Let go of your past and be forgiving….its not worth it. Don't try to control the future and figure it all out… you can't. Just keep taking one step, one day at a time, and keep doing the best you can. :)

Remember

This is a Reminder. To never let the weight of the world take power over you. To never forget your true potential and the divine purpose you have on this earth. Don't let an instance or circumstance define you. You are special and talented..and every feeling you have is valid… I'm beginning to really grasp that life can be hard. That there are moments where you will feel defeated and so small. These are the moments where pushing through and not giving up are crucial. You may want to throw in the towel… but through perseverance and the strength of the angels around you.. you can get through anything. There is not a rule book or a "book of life" that tells you how things should and will be. We imagine our lives taking certain turns and then get hit with something completely different. We can feel so happy at one moment and so belittled and broken the next. Whatever your situation or circumstance may be… don't ever give up. Don't ever stop dreaming or forget about all of the good in your world. You are so very talented and no one can define that or take that away from you. Don't lose your light or your love for other people and never stop serving one another. This is a reminder that you are worth it… that each and everyday of this life is worth it…and that you can do it. 

xoxo 

Brand

Lately in my class we have been talking a lot about BRANDS. Brands are everywhere and we feel connected to a product through its brand. For example, when I think of Coca Cola, I think of the Polar Bears and people singing together. It makes me happy to think about Coca Cola :) … (and that may be because I am addicted to Diet Coke) haha.. Brands are statements and they set a tone. Everyone and everything is considered a "brand" if you think about it. 

This got me thinking about the people we want to be and the "brands" that we make ourselves to be. We can be anything and make anything of ourselves! What kind of an image do you want to give off to people? When they think of you as a  "brand" what comes to their mind? Are you sharing your talents with the world and your true potential? 

My Brand is someone that is strong and motivational. Someone that spreads happiness with the world and lets people know that I am go getter. I am caring, crazy, and a lover of life…. even when things aren't easy. I want to put my brand in the world and make something of myself. I want to contribute and help people… I want to make the world a little better. 

This is the brand I strive to be. 

Fear.

So much has happened since 2015 entered our world. I travelled somewhere new, I fell even more in love, I had days of excitement & days in the dumps. It has only been a couple of weeks since we said hello to the New Year and already I have learned so much. 

First, don't ever think that a certain thought or feeling you have is invalid or not normal. Each one of us breathes, thinks, and feels differently than everyone else and the way we interpret experiences can be completely different. There is no right or wrong or a set of "rules" that tells you how life is supposed to be… even though we think there are sometimes. 
As an LDS, twenty-three year old, living in Provo, and surrounded by what seems like perfection, it is easy to feel out of the norm. I am at an age where Fear seems to nudge its way in and take over. I fear a lot of things… the future, my career, my love life, my dancing, my potential. The list could go on and on. Fear is an emotion that we all face, and if we let it fester long enough, it can completely take over. It can immobilize you and keep you from moving forward. I definitely don't have this emotion figured out, but I have tried to conquer fear on the daily and I have found some things that help! 

1. Face Your Fears.
We hear this all of the time & I know that it is so much easier said than done, but truly the best way to overcome your fears is to take them on head strong and face them. You probably won't succeed right away, but failing is what makes you grow and progress. "Failing doesn't mean that you are a failure". These are the times where we have to keep getting up and brushing ourselves off… and trying again. Facing your fear just a little bit at a time can have a huge impact. I'm not sure if fears ever really go away completely, but they can be minimized and controlled in a healthy way. Don't you ever EVER give up. 

2. Talk it out. 
Everyone's fears are different… which means that the way we tackle them is going to be different. Something that really helps me is talking to someone I know I can trust. A good friend, family member, or leader. Getting advice and love is exactly what I need to keep pushing forward when I am at my low. Getting advice can help you build confidence and can help you tackle things from a different angle. 

3. Change your mind.
This is another one of those easier said than done tactics, but FEARS are something we perceive and lock in our brains. Our emotions are tied to those things that scare us and that is a hard thing to change. I have those set things that I am fearful of and that take over… but something I have tried to do is change the way I perceive my fears. I try to look at them in a different way and reconstruct my emotions one by one. This is something that takes a lot of time and it is a day to day, hour to hour process. Try to make those little changes and never forget to note your progress… no matter how small. 

4. Prayer.
This is the biggest one. Now, more than ever, I have felt the love and help of my Savior. I have made The Lord a promise to do all that I can to keep His commandments--to pray and read my scriptures every night and go to the temple once a week-- & if I did that.. I asked if He would help me overcome my fears. A promise that we are given in the scriptures is that if we do our part & pray for help, God will literally take our fears away. I have witnessed this personally and have grown a stronger testimony because of it. God makes all things possible and gives you that peace and comfort that you are searching for. He is real and I know that He listens. 

You have to have FAITH my dear friend. You have to act on that faith and believe with everything that you have that you can do this. Yes, you are going to have really good days followed by really bad days, but you are not alone. Just keep pushing and fighting with everything that you have and know that you are making strides of progress even when it feels like you haven't moved. Just do & act, keeping The Lord first, and everything will fall into place. Don't let your fears overtake you and keep you from reaching your full potential. You can do this. 

xoxo