something to smile about.

I hope that everyone has had a good weekend! I have been writing and reading a lot and there is so much to share:) ... 

Yesterday I had the chance to listen to the Women's Broadcast for the LDS church. It was beautiful and had some really powerful messages. I recommend listening to the entire broadcast on lds.org, but I wanted to touch on some of my favorites. 

"There are two important days in a woman's life. The day she is born, and the day she finds out why" - Elaine Cannon. 

We are all here for a divine purpose and our divine nature has incredible potential. Once we discover that in ourselves, we can begin to see it in others. Because we are Gods children, He knows what we can become! Sometimes I think we underestimate that potential and the power we have. If you are searching for yours, pray to God and ask Him to help you find it. It is time to find out why you are here on this earth:) 

'Through test, trial, and fear....be valiant.'

Elder Ucthdorf, one of my favorite apostles, told a story about faith, hope, and love. The old lady in his story was one of the happiest. Even though it was obvious she had had several trials in her life, she went along the path skipping and being joyful. When someone asked her WHY she was so happy, she gave a beautiful response. She said that there were enough things in life that didn't go right...we could be quick to focus on those things, or decide to be joyful no matter the circumstance and find the good in everyday. She had been very miserable at one point in her life, but the tool that turned things around for her was FAITH. That faith turned to HOPE. "No matter what happened in the past, your story can have a happy ending. You have a glorious future! Let faith give you the hope to live joyfully now--fill your life with meaningful things". That hope then turned to LOVE, which is the central focus of the gospel and life. 

My heart grew so full after these talks. Some of the things that I have been trying to work on and learn more about are Faith & the Atonement. The messages encompassed these topics so well and gave me a greater understanding. If we are filling our lives with meaningful things and doing all we can to follow the Savior, we have nothing to worry about. He will not let us "go amiss". 

Walk along a bring path and let hope open up your eyes to what God has in store. Let faith be in every footstep. I felt overwhelmed with the Spirit after this conference and for the first time in a long time... I felt my Heavenly Father's arms wrapped around me. I couldn't hold back the tears. I had let myself lose the Spirit for what seemed like so long.. and I had lost hope...and even though I am still working everyday, the progress I have made fills my heart with so much gratitude. I knew in that moment that my Heavenly Father was there and was truly taking care of me. I KNEW that he was aware of me and had been there all along. He knows my heart and my true intentions, and He is shaping me into someone better. Someone stronger and more valiant. For the first time in a long time I was crying happy tears... and it felt so good. 

I know that for faith and the atonement to truly work in my life, I first have to believe and HOLD on to that belief. You too... hold on to Heavenly Father & believe in His plan for you. Know that His atonement can and will work in your life according to His timing and that the person you are and are becoming is extraordinary. "Don't give up! Don't you quit! ...trust in God and believe in good things to come" 

Fill your life with meaningful things and try to find the good in everyday!! :) 

"God did not design us to be sad. He created us to have joy!" 

It's okay.

Hey blogging world. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts & get things down in writing. I feel like I have so much to share & hopefully you can get something out of it :) I'm grateful for people's willingness to allow me to do what I love. 

A lot has happened lately... and for this post, I just want readers to know that they are great. that they are doing a great job. and that they are never alone. In the last couple of months I have been through some of the hardest and lowest moments of my 24 years of life. It was like one minute my world was happy and bright, and the next this dark cloud took over all of my sunshine. Literally...it was quick and powerful. I lost my love for everything. and I lost me... 

We will all go through moments where we get hit with an unexpected curve ball and our world seems dark and gray. I know for me, I always try to make it seem like things in my life are good, put together, and that I am always happy... but hey.. you aren't always going to be like that, and it is okay to let others see your weaknesses. That just means you are human... we are all just these imperfect people trying to find who we are and our places in the world.. and I think there is something so beautiful and real about that. 

My situation does not even compare to those that suffer from clinical depression and anxiety, but I recently went through a psychic blow that left me seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication. Those that go through this fight daily and for many years are my heroes... I imagine that it is hard thing to catch and take care of before it takes over. I thought that I was just going through a rough patch and a lot of changes, but that things would go back to normal soon... but they didn't. 

Each individual suffers from things that we can't begin to comprehend. I just want you to know that there is hope. That there IS light, and it doesn't just have to come at the end of the tunnel...it can be there throughout. You are never ever alone and you have a Heavenly Father that will never desert you... and hey. It's okay! It's okay to admit that you are going through something really hard and that you need help. For the longest time I just tried to square my shoulders and fight it, but there is nothing wrong with taking a step back and letting people help you. Seek a counselor or psychiatrist if needed... there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. 

Be gentle with yourself. 
Know that just because you have thoughts doesn't mean that you are those thoughts... try to observe them but not place judgement on them.
I want you to know that you are beautiful. 
I want you to know that you are doing a great job. 
I want you to know that through Heavenly Father, He can not only help you with whatever insecurity or experience you might be in... but that He can literally heal you. That is what the Atonement is all about. 

Be patient. Be kind. Don't be afraid to open up and be vulnerable about hard things... we are on this earth to help people. I know that God has sent me so many angels to help me get through this difficult time in my life, and as hard as it has been, I am so glad that I have been able to open up and admit that I need help. I know what it feels like to want to keep things locked in and hide from everyone. To feel so far gone that you think there is no way you can climb out of this dark hole... but I promise you...you can. Don't give up. 

If you or someone you know is going through a really hard time, tell them to read The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. Someone recommended it to me and it has been a huge blessing:) 

Now lets all get back on a healthy and happy track eh? ... It has been really hard, but I am taking steps everyday! Not all days are good, but that doesn't mean that progress isn't being made. You can do it too. 

it's time to be BRAVE.

I have recently started reading a Margie Warrell book called 

BRAVE-50 Everyday Acts of Courage to Thrive in Work, Love, and Life-

and I can't help but share what I have learned. I am only a few chapters in, but what Mrs. Warrell has to say is applicable to anyone and so inspirational. I want to share several posts about her book, chapter by chapter, so lets start with blips from the introduction :) 

"The truth is…living bravely is not easy. The only way to be brave is to act bravely-day in, day out-when times are easy and life feels good and when times are tough and it doesn't. courage isn't about fearlessness. It's taking action even though you're scared". It is like developing a habit or learning a new trade…"the more often you act bravely, the more you grow your 'muscles for life'" 

'Living fully is synonymous with living bravely' 

food for thought.

….and that is just the introduction…

…stay tuned for her steps on HOW to do so and WHERE to start...

:) 

xoxo 

your people.

Who are the people in your life that make you YOU? The people that make you brave? The people that see you for who you really are and inspire you to be better? The people that love every part of you and give you hope? 

Who are your people?

…maybe tell them you love them today:)

here are a few of mine...

make your brain happy.

Did you know that you can rewire your brain to be happy by simply recalling 3 things you are grateful for everyday for 21 days? It takes 21 days to officially make something a habit.. So start your positive habit today! :) 

Gratitude can be very powerful. 

Today I am grateful for: 

1. The stranger that surprised our table and paid for our lunch. 

2. Richard Wirthlin & his positive attitude.

3. Sun sets. 

the power of your mind.

Sometimes I just sit and wonder how I can make people's lives better. Ways that I can help people see their true worth, capabilities, and beauty…and all that each day has to offer. I'm not always good at this myself, but I believe that feeding yourself with the right positivity can bring hard work, happiness, and gratitude. It can help you see situations and people differently, and realize who you can become… & hundreds of research studies seem to agree. If you are needing proof, flip open the book:Happiness Advantage. 

At my internship here in Boston, I have been introduced to integrative medicine and the power of the body--the power of the mind. Like I mentioned in my last post, I believe that the thoughts and beliefs you feed into your mind are what you become--negative or positive. It seems fairly simple. You think negatively, you become negative, and vice versa. So how do you change your thoughts and train your mind to think more positively? Especially in those weak and low moments? ..We have all been through a number of different trials and situations that our minds hold onto and react to differently. These experiences shape our minds into what they are today, or more so, who we are. We go through ups and downs, long moments of sorrow followed by times of happiness and bliss… you must experience both..but isn't a peace of mind through it all what we ultimately strive for? So how do you prepare and gain this solid ground of peace through every situation? We all have individual things that work …but here are a few ideas of my own. 

1. Express gratitude. Write down 3 things everyday that you are grateful for. Try to do this at the same time everyday and maybe even incorporate others in the new habit. Share these things with your loved ones and make a family effort..see the affect it can have in your home. 

2. Form and keep relationships. Our brain needs relationships to neurologically grow and become our whole selves. Keep up the relationships you have with family & friends and constantly try to make new ones.. put yourself in somewhat uncomfortable positions and get outside of your comfort zone to meet new people. 

3. Exercise. Get those endorphins pumping daily & keep your body and brain happy. When you feel good about your body, you are more positive and productive throughout the day. 

4. Spirituality. Whatever it may be for you…whether its your religion or some sort of belief in nature or a higher power, find time to make it a central part of your life. I know that my religion and praying to God is what helps keep me grounded. 

5. Make room for moments by yourself. Turn off your phone, shut your computer, and put away all of that social media. Find a place that is quiet and peaceful and just be by yourself for a little bit. My favorite places to do this are when I'm hiking up in the mountains, laying on the grass in the sun, or even driving in my car. I turn off my music and just think for a little bit. 

I think it's important to remember that hardships and negativity are inevitable..but that there is hope in the reassurance that those moments will pass. Anger, sadness, frustration..let yourself accept these normalities..take them in completely and then let them go and start over. This may be a slow process and something you have to work at multiple times a day…but that is completely okay. You are human. 

Just take a look at what you are feeding your mind and see if there needs to be a change. 

An LDS talk, a heart felt prayer, writing in my journal, taking a dance or yoga class, a hard workout, looking through old writings, talking with a friend…all of these help me feel a little less crazy:) 

Depending on your situation..other things that might help are: 

Somatic Experiencing: A type of talk therapy (great for PTSD) that helps you recognize and heal through your senses. Some might call this stuff crazy, but I think that there is something incredible about it. 

Naturopathy: Let a professional help get your diet and lifestyle on track so you can have a clear and healthy mind. 

MindBody Coaching/Life Coaching: Get help planning and assessing your life goals and the best way to reach them..get in touch with your mind and body and how they work hand in hand. 

The mind is powerful, but your soul is even more powerful. The more positive reinforcements we can establish, the easier it is for our souls to take the lead and get rid of the negativity more quickly. So start feeding your mind in the right way! Don't walk outside and curse the heat…be grateful that the sun is shining! 

xoxo 

spiritual overload.

Today was a beautiful & unexplainable Sunday. A day that gave me so much peace and comfort, and that reassured me that there is a God who hears me. It was a day that was almost so perfectly and significantly placed that I couldn't help but write about it.

This Sunday just so happened to fall on a day when I was feeling extremely discouraged and alone. I can't really even explain it, but a weekend by myself put my mind into overload thinking about everything in my life, and I felt as though I was completely lost. I have learned that the mind is such a powerful tool-for good & for bad-and feeding it with the right desires and positive reinforcements is crucial…it's just not always so easy… However, through the incredible & miraculous power of the Savior & His Atonement, our minds & our hearts can be changed and ever so comforted. He feels every ache and pain that you feel. He knows, better than anyone else, exactly what you are going through…and He is there, even in those moments of heartache and despair.

The testimony I gained of my Savior's awareness today was incredible. He not only placed the right people in my path, but the right talks, hymns, everything! We discussed the talk, The Plan of Happiness, by Elder Boyd K. Packer, and the significance it had in my life was spot on. It was not only brought up in the first meeting, but in my personal visit with the bishop, and in a random email my dad felt inclined to send me later on in the day. I was meant to read that talk! By the time it got to my dads email, I was in tears with the amount of peace and comfort I had received... The talks in sacrament were based on the Holy Spirit and being able to recognize and understand it. I learned that like anything new, being able to recognize and understand the Spirit takes time and practice. It is like learning a new language or instrument. Patience and practice are key, and piece by piece you begin to learn and understand it better. I never thought of the Spirit in that way and it really hit me... I may have these crazy times where I freak out and let my mind take over, but the important thing is that I continue to try and push through them. I am battling my trials like anyone else in the world, and I am learning how to understand the Spirit better...to not feed my worldly and negative desires..and to maintain a more eternal perspective. Something important to remember is sometimes trying so hard to get rid of a "freak out moment" or a negative thought can be detrimental. You can become so upset with yourself and just make it worse... you almost need to take a second to see how your body is feeling, try and observe this moment from the outside looking in, and fully acknowledge it. Your full acknowledgement and awareness will help the moment pass more quickly..& completely pass..instead of holding on to a small piece of it. This is something I learned at my internship here in Boston called SOMATIC EXPERIENCING. It is a really incredible type of therapy and healing.. (but that is for another post:) ...

3 tips on better recognizing and understanding the Spirit:
1. Prayer. This is the time for you to talk to the Lord and humbly share everything that is on your mind.
2. Scripture study. When we need to talk to the Lord, we pray. When He needs to talk to us, He says it through the scriptures. Daily prayer and scripture study are so important when it comes to being in tune with the Spirit.
3. Go and do! We then have to go out and utilize the Spirit...use it and learn from experience. If we are being obedient and doing all we can for the Lord, "we cannot go amiss".

We also sang the beautiful hymn, "Be Still My Soul". These particular words reminded me that my Heavenly Father was "by my side" and that He was going to continue to provide for me. He was going to continue to "guide my future like He had the past"...The bishop also gave me a beautiful blessing and reassured me that God was proud of me and what I was doing... He said that God knew the true intentions of my heart and that I just needed to continue to push forward and be patient. Holy spiritual overload! It was all so incredible!

So the biggest thing that I took from today that I really wanted to share was.. God is there and He is more aware of you than you know. We all experience days of trial and hardships--our trials are very different from one another--& every thought, trial, or experience you have is particular to you. Some may be unexplainable and extremely hard...but there is hope & light in every moment. If you have the desire to do good for The Lord and you are trying, that is enough. He is filling up your cup and you might not even know it. Your cup may be filling up slower than others or slower than you want... but it is being filled, and eventually, He will make things known to you that will make your cup overflow...

Another thing is.. Life is what you make it. My dad shared some really good advice with me about starting out a journey... a new internship, a new relationship, a new big step in life.. it is all about the effort you put in and what you make of it. At first, it might be a hard adjustment, but eventually you get in the swing of things and become more comfortable. It is an everyday process of work and dedication to continue to grow in it and love it even more...You can use this advice in a lot of different ways in your life.. I just thought it was inspiring and my dad seemed to say it so beautifully.

So there you go. A mouth full of things to take with you and hopefully something I said will help you in whatever circumstance you are in. Know that you are beautiful.. that your thoughts and feelings are valid (as crazy as they may seem), and that God understands them completely. Keep trying to do your best in the world and make other people happy. The church of Jesus Christ is so very true, and after this Sunday, I know that God is real more than ever.