Positive Affirmations

The beginning of the year is a good time to reflect on how I'm doing in my life in important areas and what I want to work on improving next. One of my new favorite ways to help myself improve is through positive affirmations.

Negative self-talk is such a damaging bad habit. It undermines goals I set for myself. In our relief society lesson today, it was pointed out that we are much more likely to reach our goals if we set goals that line up with our identity, how we truly see ourselves. 

Repeating affirmations can help me to see the person I am striving to be, to begin with the end in mind. They can help me align my daily decisions so I can become the person I want to become.

In a weekly newsletter focusing on different talks from general conference called Work & Wonder, I have been reading affirmations that are created to line up with the main ideas of each talk. I recently started adding these affirmations to Google Keep and I put a widget on my home screen so I can easily review these throughout the week. It's powerful to envision myself becoming more. 

Instead of focusing on multiple traditional goals, this year I will focus on these two words, "I am." I can't wait to see how I will grow this year.

Sabbath Day Thoughts

I remember being young and dreading Sundays. I didn't like the restrictions like not being able to play with friends. Church itself was OK overall, but seemed to my young self to be long and frequently boring. Our family always sat on the very front row, a row that in most wards is always empty. I'm sure my mom loved everyone watching our antics as we goofed off, quietly or not, during sacrament meeting.

These feelings changed over time. In college, I recognized that going to church helped me be a better person. I made it a point to go, even when my parents weren't with me. I knew that continuing with regular church attendance was important to me. 

Now my feelings have deepened to something much more. I realized a few years ago that I look forward to Sundays now. I love that I can ignore my to do list and focus on things that are less stressful. When I first kneel to pray on Sunday mornings, I feel different than during the week. I feel grateful for the Sabbath. Sundays are frequently busy, especially with my calling, but it still feels more restful. I love having extra time to study. I don't see Sundays as restrictive like I used to. I look at it as a day that is separate from other days and I love spending more time focusing on Christ. 

Church is more enjoyable to me now than when I was a kid. I learn so much from others in my ward. I love hearing different perspectives. The more I study throughout the week, the more excited I am to hear comments from others because it helps point me in a different direction than my own thoughts have taken me. If I do start to feel bored during church, I recognize that I am less engaged. When I pay more attention to the talks and lessons, the boredom goes away. 

I love that the organization of the church gives me more opportunities to serve in big and small ways. As I serve, I form strong relationships with others that help lift me. 

In general conference in October, Dallin H. Oaks talked about the need for a church. I reflected on the blessings he mentioned and how I see them in my life. I love that I can progress through my church activity. I'm grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Thoughts to Words

I have been studying the conference talk by Brad Wilcox called "Worthiness is Not Flawlessness". I have found that when I write down my thoughts, I refine what I'm thinking and it gives me a chance to ponder a little more. Taking it to the next step, creating word art from my favorite quotes also allows me to ponder them a little bit more. So today you get my rambling thoughts. 

As a mom, I see each of my kids frequently pull away from any attempts to correct them, even when done with love. They tend to see it as a criticism instead of my intent to help lift them to a higher plane in their physical, mental, social, and spiritual journeys. I want them to learn from my experiences and knowledge, despite my imperfections. 

Frequently in the scriptures, I see the Lord trying to teach the things that will lift me, but it is sometimes hard to see that He isn't trying to punish, threaten, or criticize me at all. He truly loves me completely just as I am. But He also sees my great potential to become so much more and wants to help me reach that potential. 

When I humble myself and reach to Him for help, He helps me know the next right step, even when my best attempts at life are not as good as I want them to be. He doesn't wait for me to be perfect to help me, and I'm so grateful for His grace, mercy, and love.

Faith to Move Mountains

In General Conference in April, President Russell M. Nelson talked about having faith strong enough to move mountains. I loved so many quotes from his talk.

"Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest."

"The Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain with faith."

"Truly, faith is the power that enables the unlikely to accomplish the impossible."

"Your flourishing faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity."

Emily Freeman is hosting a study on faith and Christ called Inklings for the six months between conference sessions. Her friend made a necklace to help keep this study in mind, and I absolutely love it. It has a real mustard seed embedded in it to remind us that we can start with faith as small as a mustard seed and it can grow as large as a mustard tree. 

Recently, I have been wearing this necklace more often than any of my others because there are multiple things in my life right now that are largely outside of my control. I frequently find myself playing with this necklace throughout the day and reminding myself that I can put my limited faith in the Lord and keep moving forward. I know that He is aware of me and my struggles. He knows what I need. I know that He will put people and opportunities in my path that will help me move forward and His Spirit will continue to guide me. I am truly grateful for my faith in Him and it continues to grow as I see His hand in my life more often. And gradually, my mountains are moving.

Back in the Temple

The temple is open again! After almost a year and a half of not being able to go, Nun and I were able to go back yesterday morning. Everyone I saw while there had a giant smile, and I was smiling right along with them. There is such a profound feeling of peace in the temple and the problems of the world almost seem to melt away when I'm there. Nothing else matters for that short time.

Unfortunately, I really struggle to stay awake in the temple. When I go to bed at night, I'm usually asleep about 5 minutes after turning out the light. I have to listen to audio books if I'm driving by myself for more than a few minutes because falling asleep while driving is a very real concern for me. It's a little too easy for me to fall asleep. Sitting in a quiet, peaceful place like the temple brings on the same problem. I once sat by my sister-in-law and told her to poke me if I started dosing and she was surprised how serious I was - I was not just joking. I pray before I go to have help to stay awake, I started keeping mints in my bag, and I repeat the words in my head to help me stay awake. These help some, but it still isn't perfect. I wish it wasn't so hard for me, but I know the Lord is aware of my struggle and my intentions and He blesses me despite my shortcomings. I really feel for Peter, James, and John in the Garden of Gethsemane because I would need the same rebuke. 

The service we provide for others in the temple is incomparable. But I benefit so much, as well. I feel so much closer to the Lord in His house. I can take time to think about the covenants I have made and renew my determination to keep these covenants and serve others. The Spirit is easier to recognize and personal revelation is a little more clear. I feel the extra strong power of prayer as I pray for others in the temple. 

I think one benefit of having the temples closed for so long is to help us appreciate them more and not take them for granted. I don't want to get lazy about going regularly. I want to bless my ancestors and enjoy the blessings I get from going to the temple frequently.