Week 28: Becoming more selfless

I was reading a Facebook post by a friend and it said:


"Take the time to change the world for just one person."


That saying really hit me when I read it.  If there is one thing I have learned more over the last little while than ever before, it is concerning the principle of selflessness.  This saying reminds me of selflessness.  Many times we are so busy in our own lives and schedules that we fail to make time, or should I say, leave time in our lives to serve others.  Sometimes in my life, I have found myself being so over scheduled that all I can think about is myself and all "I" have to do.   Life all the sudden becomes all about "me".  I end up feeling so frazzled that I don't possibly have any energy or time left for others.  Not a way to live!!  I have found though, that as I have slowed down and made life and my schedule not all about me, but more about others, I have found a greater feeling of happiness, peace, and fulfillment in my life.  It is a conscious choice we all must make.

This week's challenge: less about me, more about others

  

Week 27: T-I-M-E

Near the end of his life, one father looked back on how he had spent his time on earth.  An acclaimed, respected author of numerous scholarly works, he said, "I wish I had written one less book and taken my children fishing more often."

"Time is a gift, a treasure not to be put aside for the future, but to be used wisely in the present."  
-President Tomas S. Monson

This week's challenge:  Be more mindful of how I use my time each day

Week 24-26: Half way there and committed all the way!

I have to confess, I have been on vacation for the last 3 weeks and have missed posting.  In order to keep on track with my birthday, this will be a combined post for the last 3 weeks.

Speaking of birthdays, tomorrow is my 1/2 birthday.  It is my "YEA day"...every 27th of each month.  I will be 35 and a 1/2.  My "but a spring chick" journey is 1/2 way over.  It has been 6 months of a lot of pondering, learning, and growing as I have worked more at trying to become who Heavenly Father needs and wants me to become.  I haven't been perfect, but I have seen a change take place in myself for the better.  

As I have been focusing on making this year the best ever and as I have tried to improve myself for the better, I have found myself slowing down more, making more time for the little things that matter most like my family and myself.  I have given myself permission to sit and enjoy life moments more without feeling guilty about the "to do" list written on my paper.  I have learned how important it is to forgive.  Holding grudges only weighs one down.  I have embraced more fully the power and the blessings that come from saying, "I am a mother!"  I have recognized that I am of worth.  I have found myself relying on the Lord more and paying attention and recognizing His tender mercies in my daily life.  I have also taken more time to ponder and feel His love in the beauty around me as I have watched a setting sun, a beautiful snowfall, a budding flower, or have felt the breeze on my face as I have biked past a field of green.  I have felt more joy in my heart as I have focused more, the last 6 months, on things that matter most!  

I read this week an article out of the July 2011 Ensign of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.  It was entitled, "I'm Committed".  In that article President Uchtdorf says: 

"Either you are committed or you are not.  Either you are moving forward or you are standing still.  There's no halfway.  We all face moments of decision that change the rest of our lives."  

I love this quote!  I want to be one of commitment.  I want to be one moving forward, changing my life and the lives of others for the better.  I get excited when I think of life in that way.  The last 6 months have been a learning experience for me.  I am committed to moving forward and I look forward to more learning and growing experiences over the next 6 months.    

It is never to late to change, to develop talents, to learn, to grow, and to become who we want to become!  Remember, we are all "but spring chicks!"  I am committed to this great journey, to my family, to myself, and to my Maker.  Cheers to the next 6 months!  

This week's challenge:  to always remember I am committed to my family, myself, and to my Heavenly Father

Week 22-23: True Love

I love the month of June for many reasons, some of which are; flowers, sunshine, gardens, school being out, sleeping in, more time to play with my kids, trips to the pool or lake, snow cones, fireflies, late movie and game nights, and dinners outside.  I also love June because it is my anniversary month.  Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary.

As June began, my thoughts these last few weeks have turned to my anniversary and how love changes over the years.  I have been thinking a lot about love and marriage and what makes a marriage successful.  I have also been pondering upon what true love is.  Love changes.  I believe that love takes on a different meaning to couples as time goes on.  The love a couple feels at 15 years of marriage is different and has a different meaning than the love felt on one's wedding day.

I found a card that expressed so eloquently what I feel true love is:

"Love has little to do with moonlight and balconies and everything to do with patience, acceptance, and hanging in there.  Love can't always move mountains or change the world overnight.  But it can open its arms at the end of a long, bad day and welcome you home to true belonging.  Love brings a beautiful wholeness.  Nothing else quite compares with the sense of completeness that comes from sharing with that one special person for a lifetime."  


Love is patience, acceptance, enduring, belonging, wholeness, completeness, and may I add, selflessness.  I have asked myself if the love I posses portrays these qualities and if not, what changes do I need to make? As I continue on this year with my journey of bettering myself, I hope to work towards gaining better qualities of true love and then showing that love more to others.

This weeks challenge: to show true, deep love to those I care about and not assume they already know

Week 21: become a builder

"Leave people better than you found them."

This weeks challenge: be a builder

Week 20: Soaking up each moment

I am feeling very sentimental today.  My heart is full of gratitude.  Today is one of those milestone days.  Today was the last day of the school year for my children.  It is one of those days each year that I spend reflecting  upon how my children have changed over the year.  I reflect on all that my children have accomplished, learned, ways they have grown, the experiences they have had that have molded and refined them, and the obstacles they have successfully overcome.  I have to say, I am so proud of each and everyone of my dear children.  They each started out this school year with many firsts and hardships that come with moving to a new city and home and they each have risen above and succeeded.

Today was also a reminder again of how quickly they grow up.  Another year, another grade completed, another chapter of memories for their book and my book of life.  

As I have reflected today, I have been reminded how special and unique this gift of motherhood is in my life and how important it is for me to soak up each and every moment of my children's lives and not take any of it for granted.  As I know, tomorrow will definitely come, more birthdays will occur, they will each get a little older, and another school year will end.  I cannot freeze time, but I can make the most of every moment I have with each of these precious gifts that have blessed my life.  

This week's challenge: soak up each moment I have with my children

Week 18-19: New Beginnings

"Count each day as a new beginning.  Only look back on yesterday if there is something you can learn from it to give you a brighter tomorrow & then don't dwell on it!"


This was a quote from one of my friends. This quote is so true.  It really struck me when I read it this week.  I am one that dwells on the past and at times beats myself up over and over again for things I did, or didn't do; for things I said, or didn't say; or for ways I acted that may have not been showing my best self; or for not being the best mother, wife, sister, friend, etc. that I should have been.  I know it is not healthy to dwell on such things, but my human nature kicks in.  


I think of the quote:
"Today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."


Each day is a gift and a new beginning to better ourselves and touch the lives of others for good.  I pray that I may not waste away today by dwelling on yesterday, but that I will move forward in faith and embrace the present!


This week's challenge: don't dwell on the negative of yesterday